Winter Tree Identification Walk!

Kawartha Chapter

March 8, 2025 from 10 am - 2 pm EST

Fleming College, Frost Campus, 200 Albert St S, Lindsay, ON

Webinar: Forest Birds in a Changing Climate

OWA and Birds Canada

March 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST

Click here to register

Visit the OWA event calendar for a full list of local woodlot events, webinar and conferences throughout the year.

The Carolinian Forest region is Ontario’s southernmost forest region. It primarily consists of scattered woodlots due to well established urban areas and agricultural activities. The Carolinian Forest is our most diverse region with a variety of tree and wildlife species also found in the other regions, as well as species from more southerly areas. Several types of trees in southern Ontario face the threat of invasives and diseases resulting from increasing temperatures, especially warmer winters with shorter periods of the cold temperatures required to bring about invasive insect die-off. Fortunately, conservation authorities and the Invasive Species Centre conduct research and work to minimize the impacts of invasive species and to prevent further spread.

• Explore a conservation area or a park and identify five uniquely Carolinian tree species.
• Find a local forestry, conservation or environmental event in which to participate.
• Review the Spring 2024 issue of The Ontario Woodlander for information about invasive species.
• Refresh your mental image for various invasive plants and insects, to help you to better identify them the next time you are out walking in your local natural areas.
• Refresh your mental images of invasive species so you can stop the spread.

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence (GLSL) region covers most of central Ontario and parts of southern and northern Ontario. It is Ontario’s most age-diverse forest region, comprising many mixed wood forest stands. The presence of this mixed wood dominated landscape provides habitat for an array of wildlife species.

A large portion of Ontario’s oldest living trees are found in the GLSL region. As species’ optimum ranges move northward, growing seasons are projected to become longer and drier. One way to mitigate these effects of climate change is to plant species that are suitable to the projected climate in your area so they have the best possible chance to grow and thrive.

Daily Activities

• Read about the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change trial at the Petawawa Research Forest for ideas on how to adapt your woodlot to some of the effects of climate change.
• Email us a photo of the oldest tree on your woodlot or in your local area.
• Assess the diversity of species and age classes in your woodlot. Consider whether a greater distribution of age class and species diversity would support your management goals and the woodlot’s resiliency to climate change.

The Boreal Forest is Canada’s largest forest region both provincially and federally. It covers a large portion of northern Ontario between the GLSL and the Hudson Bay Lowlands region. The Boreal is dominated by conifer forests with some mixed wood forest and a smaller amount of hardwood forest.

With increased drought and longer growing seasons in the Boreal, scientists are predicting longer fire seasons with more frequent and intense fire disturbances. However, tree species in the Boreal have adapted to respond to these disturbances and continue to regenerate even-aged conifer stands including Jack Pine and Black Spruce, which require the high temperatures resulting from fire to open their cones and release seed for natural regeneration.

Daily Activities

• Go for a walk and note species that are common in both the Boreal Forest and your local area. Some common boreal tree species include White Spruce, Tamarack, Balsam Fir, Trembling Aspen, and White Birch.
• Learn about Canada’s Boreal Forest and explore some of the species within Ontario and outside of the province
• Check out the next offering of the OWA’s course -- Forest Climate Resilience: A Practical Course for Landowners and Practitioners.

Our northernmost forest region is the Hudson Bay Lowlands. This region features many bogs, fens and other wetlands, as well as tundra and sparse woodlands. The forest areas in the north are slow growing, remote and minimally productive.

Climate change will impact northern Ontario’s permafrost and alter wetland structure and composition. Supporting organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) helps protect and restore wetlands across Canada.

• Explore a local wetland and investigate if there have been any projects for wetland restoration or protection in your area.
• Identify wetland on your property and research protection strategies.
• Does your woodlot include an existing wetland which is a minimum of 5 acres (2 hectares) and provides waterfowl habitat? You may be eligible to save on your Managed Forest Plan through DUC. 

Maps sourced from Ontario Wood/Ministry of Natural Resources.

Vulnerability Index Tool

As the climate changes, we are experiencing longer and drier summers. The Vulnerability Index Tool is designed to show the sensitivity of tree species to projected drought over three time periods. The interactive map can be used to estimate future climate conditions in a given area, such as drier growing seasons.

Ontario Interactive Fire Map Tool

With the growing threat of extended fire spread, the Ontario Interactive Fire Map provides information about fires across Ontario. Fires are denoted on the map, providing information about how large the fire is at any given time, how it is currently being managed and its status, all of which are regularly updated.

Home owners are encouraged to consider FireSmart shrubs for landscaping. A “FireSmart” shrub is one that is not highly flammable—low-growing plants with thick, succulent leaves tend to resist fire and are less likely to carry a fire to a building. Three recommended FireSmart native plants for your garden or woodlot include nannyberry, wintergreen, and ninebark. For more FireSmart tips click here.

• Assess the fire risk areas on your woodlot.
• Research proper storage of machinery, flammable materials, etc. and organize storage areas accordingly.

Promoting Biodiversity

Monitoring biodiversity in your woodlot or in a local forest is a great way to observe changes. Noticing changes in species composition on the landscape can help identify vulnerabilities within your forest stand, including diseases or invasive species to watch for, monitor, and manage. Observation also creates opportunities to identify active management potential in your woodlot such as adding or reducing downed woody debris; finding areas that would benefit from underplanting; data collection and record keeping; and much more. The options are endless!

Daily Activities