Independent Forest Audit (IFA)
The Ontario Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) requires that all Sustainable Forest Licences (SFLs) and Crown Management Units (CMUs) be audited every five to seven years by an independent auditor. The audit reviews the applicable Forest Management Plans (FMP) in relation to relevant provincial legislation, policy guidelines and Forest Management Planning Manual (FMPM) requirements. The audit determines whether actual results in the field are comparable with planned results and determines if the results were accurately reported. As of 2019, Arbex has completed thirty-nine IFAs on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Forestry Futures Trust Committee.
20 Year Forest Management Plan & 5 Year Operational Plans – Limerick Forest
To provide for the sustainable management of approximately 5,800 hectares of public lands (Limerick Forest) within the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Arbex professionals prepared a twenty-year forest management plan and three five year operational plans. A digital forest inventory database (GIS) was also developed.
Algonquins of Barriere Lake – Trilalteral/Bilateral Agreements
Arbex professional and GIS staff participated in the preparation of Integrated Resource Management Plans (IRMPs) for seven traditional management areas identified on the 10,000 square kilometre territory of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake. Consulting services also included development of computer models to test the implications of various resource management strategies on wood supply, wildlife habitats and areas deemed culturally significant to the Algonquin people.
20 Year Forest Management Plan – Norfolk County-Owned Woodlots
To provide for the sustainable management of its County-owned woodlots (~878 ha) Arbex prepared a twenty-year forest management plan. The objective of the plan was ” To enhance the economic and social welfare of the residents of Norfolk County through the improvement, sustainable use, development and protection of the county-owned and managed woodlots wildlife, timber,non-timber and ecological resources.”