Who We Are..
The Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association (BAFIA) is comprised of approximately 25 members who are typically small, family owned and operated forest practitioners ranging from loggers, sawmill operators, forest technicians, woodlot owners and managers. The geographic area of the Association and the majority of its members are defined as those lands that fall between Madoc north to Whitney and Denbigh west to Apsley in the province of Ontario, Canada.
Our mission statement is “to promote and sustain the forest industry in the Bancroft area”. We believe that sustainable forestry practices are necessary in this day and age. It is both good for the environment and business.
As a group we gather every month to voice our concerns and develop action plans to confront the issues facing our industry today.
Primary Goals of BAFIA
- Raise awareness about the importance, benefits and feasibility of sustainable forestry and best practices to ensure healthy forest for the future
- Promote the long term sustainability and vitality of the forest industry in the Bancroft area
- Sustainability and growth of forest industry jobs, with education for new and existing workers
- To provide information and input on environmental and other local issues as an organized voice for the forest industry
- Increase landowner awareness and education of safe and sustainable forestry practices
- Conduct market research and investigate opportunities for growth of the local industry in new sectors such as value-added wood products
- Search for and access information and resources for the local industry, including grants and subsidies
BAFIA’s Accomplishments in the Community
- Host workshops and presentations on various forest related topics for industry professionals. These include: GPS training, Raptors, Species at Risk, Forestry Business Management, Forestry Equipment, Tree Marking Continued Education, Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Association
- Host workshops and presentations for the public to provide information and awareness of forestry in their community. These include: Woodlands, Wildlife and You, Education with youth on forestry and tree planting (grades 2 and 3), tree marking workshops with the Northern Outdoor Studies (North Hastings High School Student Program), Lakeland Stewardship Workshop, Sawtech Expo forestry tours
- Production of the Forest Industry Directory for landowners. This directory comprehensive listing of forest-related businesses operating in the area.
- Initiate and participate in tree planting efforts in partership with Trees Ontario in planting 32000 trees in 2007 and 64000 trees in 2008
- Promotion and awareness of the forest industry through advertising messages on wood chip trucks
- Production of the film titled “The Working Forest Today”. This film is intended to educate and inform the general public on how forestry is practiced in the area and how the forest industry operates both on crown and private lands.
Click here to see BAFIA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.(Still to come)
