The Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is investing $1.8 million to assist private landowners and forest contractors in finding new markets for underutilized wood fibre and to support sustainable forestry management.

According to a news release, the Association for Sustainable Forestry will use $800,000 over the next year to help private landowners and forest contractors find new and more efficient ways of harvesting, transporting and selling low-grade fibre that would normally go unused. It will also help reduce the risk of wildfires through the removal of material that would normally be left on the forest floor.

"For over a year, Forest Nova Scotia has been advocating for additional funding for the road program for our members. With this funding, we will be able to enhance our support for woodlot owners to help them actively manage their woodlots," said Todd Burgess, executive director of Forest Nova Scotia. "Given the recent fires, funding like this is crucial to help improve access for contractors, first responders and service providers. We will continue active dialogue with decision-makers, government officials and friends of forestry. There is still much more to do, but this is a step in the right direction."

Forest Nova Scotia will use $1 million over two years to help woodlot owners develop and maintain access roads into their woodlots, according to the release. The funding will allow owners to harvest more wood and lower the risk of wildfires, since less wood remains will be on the ground, allowing woodlot owners to be more selective about which trees they cut and which they leave for another year.

"The Forestry Innovation Transition Trust makes investments designed to help our forestry industry become more competitive and more sustainable," said Rosalind Penfound, chair of the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust in the release. "These projects will help bring more high-quality products to market and strengthen this important sector of our economy."