Navigating Hope & Uncertainty

West Dalhousie Wildfire: Fighting Fire, Saving Forests, Rebuilding Futures

When an out-of-control wildfire tore through more than 8,400 hectares in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County, it wasn’t just a story on the news — it was in the backyards of forest workers, landowners, and entire communities. In this episode of Forestry Uncut, host Todd Burgess, Executive Director of Forest Nova Scotia, takes you inside the West Dalhousie (Long Lake) wildfire response and its aftermath. You’ll hear from: * Kaitlyn Enders, Regional Forester and heavy equipment coordinator, who managed 37+ pieces of gear and multiple dozer groups on the fire line, coordinating contractors, divisions, and specialized machinery to build fire guards and support crews. * Stephen Freeman, a sixth-generation sawmiller from the Freeman family on the Medway River, who shares how industry and community stepped up with equipment, crews, and expertise, and why he calls the contractors’ work “real heroism.” We explore: * How Nova Scotians rallied, with contractors and community members offering equipment, skills, and time without waiting for a paycheck * The critical role of planning, training, and pre-arranged contracts for large-scale wildfire response * Why removing ladder fuels and leftover forest debris is essential to reducing future fire risk * What happens after the flames are out: * Salvage harvesting and how mill AI can distinguish rot vs. burn * The short window to recover burnt wood before it loses value * Replanting and creating new, sustainably managed forests * How salvaging and replanting can bring both closure to affected landowners and hope for the next generation of forests The West Dalhousie fire left a blackened landscape, but also a chance for recovery, renewal, and smarter preparedness. As Stephen notes, the true tragedy would be letting this forest resource go to waste instead of using it to build a healthier, more resilient forest for the future. If you’d like to learn more about Forest Nova Scotia and the work happening across the province, visit forestns.ca to explore resources, episodes, and stories from the forest sector. 0:00 – Out-of-control wildfire in Annapolis County 0:24 – Introducing Forestry Uncut & the West Dalhousie fire 1:03 – Role of the Regional Forester & Integrated Resource Management Team 1:29 – Kaitlyn as heavy equipment coordinator 2:04 – 37 pieces of equipment on the line 2:12 – How dozer groups fight wildfire 2:41 – Forwarders, water tanks, and hose lines 3:02 – Coordinating divisions and matching gear to terrain 3:45 – Community offers equipment and support 4:45 – Introducing Stephen Freeman & Freeman Lumber 5:04 – Six generations of sawmilling & long-term sustainability 5:47 – Community response and “real heroism” on the fire line 7:11 – Why contractors and loggers stepped up 8:25 – Looking ahead: what future fires will demand 9:05 – Lessons learned: planning, training, and contractor readiness 10:52 – What happens to 8,400 hectares of burned forest? 11:35 – Salvage harvesting and using AI in the mill 12:43 – Short window to salvage before wood loses value 13:43 – Replanting, renewal, and reducing future fire risk 14:29 – Closing thoughts & where to learn more (forestns.ca) LEARN MORE [https://www.forestns.ca/] and become a member.

The 2026 Forest Nova Scotia AGM

Get tickets now! [https://www.forestns.ca/events/fns-agm-2026] Join Todd Burgess, Executive Director of Forest Nova Scotia, for a preview of the upcoming Forest Nova Scotia AGM in Halifax, Feb 3–4. Todd highlights a stacked lineup of industry leaders, innovators, and community voices—from trade and mass timber to sustainable fuels, housing, and philanthropy. Hear how the event will explore innovation & technology, economic development, education & future leaders, and community development through forestry. Learn more and get your tickets at forestns.ca. [https://www.forestns.ca/events/fns-agm-2026]

Silviculture: Training the Next Generation

How do we attract, train, and retain a new silviculture workforce in a system where the pay rates and support programs haven’t kept up with rising costs? In this episode of Forestry Uncut, host Todd Burgess speaks with Dennis Bedford and Tina McCauley of D. Bedford Forestry Services, a silviculture company based in Chester Grant, Nova Scotia. They share how they’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in the forestry sector: attracting and retaining skilled workers. Dennis and Tina explain: What silviculture really is, from tree planting and spacing to pre‑commercial thinning. Why “farming trees” is essential for forest health, fire resilience, and carbon capture. How stagnant silviculture rates and rising costs make it hard for workers to earn a decent wage. * Their innovative model: providing all the gear, paying above minimum wage during training, and focusing on high school athletes and co‑op students. * How partnerships with Forest Heights Community School, the O2 program, and local supporters like Hughes Diesel in New Ross are creating a pipeline of motivated young workers. * Why their teen crews are not just learning tree ID and spacing, but also work ethic, independence, and leadership. They also discuss: * The barriers they’ve faced accessing government supports and subsidies, especially with 16‑year‑old workers. * Their vision for silviculture as a recognized trade, with clear training paths and mentorship. * How better silviculture practices can support biodiversity, protect old growth, and act as a buffer against wildfires and insect outbreaks. If you care about the future of forestry, youth employment, or climate-resilient forests, this conversation offers a hopeful, ground-level view of what change can look like. 0:00 – Intro: Why Silviculture Matters Todd frames silviculture, healthier trees, and introduces the guests. 0:40 – Meet Dennis and Tina of D. Bedford Forestry Services Background on their company and roles in Nova Scotia forestry. 1:36 – What Is Silviculture, Really? Dennis explains tree planting, spacing, and pre-commercial thinning. 2:32 – Farming Trees vs. Letting Them Grow Wild Why active management creates better wood and protects old growth. 3:40 – A Shrinking Workforce and Stagnant Rates Dennis outlines economic pressures and the training gap. 5:06 – Can Silviculture Workers Earn a Living? Discussion of piece rates, minimum wage, and rising costs. 6:20 – Rethinking Who to Hire: From Students to Teens Pivot from university students to recruiting high school athletes. 7:56 – Building Careers, Not Just Summer Jobs Creating long-term forestry paths and “boots on the ground” experience. 9:29 – Community Roots: Schools and Local Supporters Forest Heights Community School, co‑op teachers, and Hughes Diesel. 11:08 – Removing Barriers: Gear, Wages, and Fit Providing equipment, paying above minimum wage, and hiring for attitude. 13:12 – Retention Wins and The Power of Peer Groups How 16–17-year-olds, teams, and healthy competition improve retention. 14:45 – Co‑op and O2 Programs Feeding the Pipeline How high school co‑ops and guaranteed NSCC seats support forestry careers. 16:40 – Training Through Real Work on the Land What “cutting” means, target spacing, and species selection. 18:10 – Practical Life Skills and Career Options From mentor roles to other silviculture companies and tree planting. 20:00 – Can This Model Scale? Mentors and a Training Pathway Vision for mentors, instructors, and silviculture as a recognized trade. 22:20 – Hitting the Wall on Subsidies and Supports Why existing programs don’t fit 16-year-olds and their “new box” idea. 24:20 – Why They Keep Going: Hope in Forestry Dennis’s outlook on silviculture, aging workers, and retirement realities. 25:30 – Silviculture, Wildfires, and Insects How healthier, managed forests improve fire resilience and pest resistance. 27:00 – Biodiversity, Not Monoculture Teaching species ID and maintaining diverse forests. 28:20 – Fire Buffers and Protecting Old Growth Using silviculture strategically around old growth forests. 29:10 – Closing Thoughts and Call to Action Thanks, optimism, and where to learn more about Forest Nova Scotia. LEARN MORE [https://www.forestns.ca/] and become a member.

A Special Seasons Greetings Message

Todd Burgess, Executive Director of Forest Nova Scotia, extends holiday greetings and expresses hope for the forestry sector's future. A big thank you to the staff for their efforts in organizing events and producing the podcast, to the trust of Forest Nova Scotia members and the guidance of the board of directors.  And gratitude to collaborative partners from the provincial government, elected officials, and nonprofit organizations. And don't forget the annual general meeting in Halifax in February 3 - 4, 2026 To learn more about the forestry sector or Forest Nova Scotia, visit forestns.ca [https://forestns.ca/].

Navigating Hope & Uncertainty

Exploring viable solutions through economic Opportunities and prosperity in the forestry sector. In this episode of Forestry Uncut, host Todd Burgess (Executive Director, Forest Nova Scotia) sits down with Kevin Merriam, Executive Director of the Maritime Lumber Bureau, and Patrick Crabbe, CEO of The Mass Timber Company. They explore how Atlantic Canada’s forestry sector can move “from tree to city” through mass timber, panelized and modular construction, and other value‑added wood products. The conversation covers: * The current challenges in the sawmilling sector, including U.S. tariffs and duties * How mass timber and prefabricated wood systems can help address the housing crisis * Why Atlantic Canada’s spruce‑pine‑fir lumber is stronger than previously published values * The role of government policy (like Nova Scotia’s wood‑first policy) in growing domestic wood construction * Success stories from companies like East Cut, Dora Construction/MacLellan Group, and others innovating with wood If you’re a forestry professional, developer, architect, engineer, policymaker, or landowner wondering how wood can play a bigger role in housing and infrastructure, this episode is for you. Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes of Forestry Uncut, and learn more about Forest Nova Scotia at forestns.ca. 00:00 – Opening thoughts: Adversity and opportunity in forestry 00:31 – Todd introduces Forestry Uncut and today’s guests 01:22 – Kevin’s background and path to the Maritime Lumber Bureau 02:39 – From inspector to executive director: Kevin’s career progression 03:32 – Patrick’s roots in a family sawmill business 05:55 – 2008 downturn, receivership, and Patrick’s pivot to mass timber 07:35 – WoodWORKS and early work on mass timber and building codes 08:49 – Founding The Mass Timber Company and project status 09:36 – “Tree to city”: A circular, fully integrated wood economy 10:29 – Nova Scotia’s wood‑first policy and early market activity 12:03 – Hidden value chain: Why landowners don’t see the full picture 12:47 – State of the sawmilling sector and U.S. tariffs/duties 14:36 – Why develop domestic markets? Origins of Atlantic WoodWORKS 15:39 – Why mass timber took so long to arrive in Atlantic Canada 17:00 – Strength testing Atlantic SPF and the “aha” moment 19:13 – “We’ve veiled the gold”: Realizing the true value of the wood basket 20:10 – Beyond mass timber: Panelized and modular wood systems 21:55 – Wood, cost‑effectiveness, codes, and speeding up housing delivery 23:38 – How developers can engage WoodWORKS and technical teams 23:48 – Prefab vs volumetric modular – where mass timber fits 26:13 – Case study: Crosswoods project and exposed mass timber floors 28:13 – How much Nova Scotia lumber could mass timber actually use? 29:25 – 7–20x value: Increasing value per cubic metre of wood 30:13 – Emerging Atlantic companies: East Cut, Atlas, truss manufacturers 31:29 – Perfect storm: Market disruption and local circular solutions 35:07 – Forestry’s role in affordable housing: Call for government–industry dialogue 36:18 – Who needs to be at the table? Municipal, provincial, federal 36:59 – Closing thoughts and call to action for collaboration 37:30 – Outro: About Forest Nova Scotia and where to learn more LEARN MORE [https://www.forestns.ca/]and become a member.