[ez-toggle title="Which meals are included in the cost of registration?"]Lunch will be provided on both days, and the banquet dinner will be held on April 11th.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="Can my guest attend a different tour than me?"]Yes. At the bottom of the registration page please select "Add a guest" and another registration form will open allowing you to complete your guest's registration details such as their preferred tour.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="Is there a group rate for local accommodations?"]Yes. The OWA has secured a limited number of rooms in a block at a local hotel. Once the block has sold out we can't guarantee that additional rooms will still be available. Registration fees do not include overnight accommodation.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="What can I expect from the trade show?"]The trade show is scheduled all day on April 11th. Multiple opportunities to stretch your legs and visit the trade show are built into the event agenda to ensure attendees have ample time to visit all exhibitors.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="Will there be a silent auction?"]Yes. We will be seeking new, handmade, and antique items for our annual silent auction taking place on April 11th. If you have an item you would like to have considered for donation please contact Planning Committee member, Beth Hendry, at bhendry85@gmail.com with a description of the item. Please make arrangements to bring the silent auction item with you to the conference or make arrangements to have another attendee bring the item. Donations can be dropped off during event check-in, and additional details will be shared with all silent auctions donors prior to the conference.[/ez-toggle]

Day 1 - Conference and Annual Meeting - Saturday, April 11th, 2026 - 8:45am

We are excited to welcome several forestry practitioners, experts, and landowners - many of whom are all three - to educate and inspire during the 33rd Annual Woodlot Tour and Conference. Please note content and times may be subject to change. To download a copy of the preliminary agenda, click here

[ez-toggle title="Keynote: Are current forestry practices eroding the Rights of Nations? With Gary Pritchard"]We all recognize the importance of protecting the Rights of Nations, but many landowners still have questions about what Indigenous Rights, Aboriginal Rights, and Treaty Rights truly are—and how they relate to everyday land management decisions. Understanding these rights is especially important for woodlot owners, as the history, agreements, and legal frameworks connected to the land continue to shape how it can be used today. Gaining clarity on these concepts helps ensure that stewardship practices align with both legal obligations and respectful relationships with Indigenous Nations. This seminar will legally unpack each of these rights and explain how they apply beyond the duty to consult and Crown responsibility. Participants will explore what meaningful engagement looks like, where settler accountability comes into play, and how woodlot owners can contribute to nation-building actions in practical, informed ways. By the end, attendees will have a clearer understanding of their responsibilities and opportunities as land stewards within a shared landscape.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="Panel: Land Succession, Conservation Agreements, and the Decision to Transfer Ownership with John Kintare, Executive Director,  Kawartha Land Trust"]Every woodlot holds a story, and succession begins when we ask who will continue that story into the future. This session opens that conversation, exploring the realities and responsibilities involved in transferring properties to land trusts and entering Conservation Easement Agreements. John Kintare, the executive director from Kawartha Land Trust will offer insight into long-term stewardship, the legal and ecological considerations, and how land trusts support families through succession planning. He will be joined by landowners who have completed or are currently navigating the process of formal land protection. Their stories reflect not only the practical pathway but the emotional work of letting go, and choosing protection for generations they may never meet. The tone of this panel is grounded and honest. It’s not just about documents or timelines. It’s about legacy, connection to place, and the responsibility of making decisions that outlast us. If you’re planning for the future of your woodlot, this session offers real insight from people who have walked the path and from those responsible for stewarding land beyond a single lifetime.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="Call to Action: Succession and Tax Planning for woodlot owners with Rick Wismer and Bruce Dick"]Stewardship doesn’t end at the edge of your trees. It extends into the future, shaping how the land will support the next generation. This session with Rick Wismer looks at how early planning can protect both your vision and your finances when the time comes to pass on your woodlot or woodland-related business. Starting early opens more paths. You can respond as life changes, take advantage of valuable tax tools, and avoid being backed into rushed decisions that drain time, energy, and money. Rick will share a real case from the Peterborough area, where careful review of past activity and smart next steps helped a family qualify for the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption — leading to meaningful tax savings and a transition plan aligned with their goals. Know where you stand. Decide where you want to go. Seek guidance when it helps. That first step feels big, yet once it’s taken, the rest of the path starts to take shape.[/ez-toggle]

[ez-toggle title="Catching Carbon, Growing Legacy: Innovation and Stewardship on a Family Woodlot with Norm Lamothe"]Norm Lamothe will share the story behind Woodleigh’s Catching Carbon project, where underused forest biomass is converted through pyrolysis into high-value biochar and pyroligneous acid for agricultural use. His session looks at how innovation on private land can boost crop production while cutting carbon emissions. The conversation will also open a window into life on a multigenerational property, with Lamothe family members joining to talk about stewardship, legacy, and how decisions made today shape the land far into the future.[/ez-toggle]