The OFFICIAL Ottawa Valley Wood Video is here!  Thanks to Matt LeMay and LeMayMedia for producing. 

Renfrew County Forester Lacey Rose featured by Let's Talk Science as a career choice for high school students to consider.

Heideman & Son Operator Andrew Neuman featured by Let's Talk Science as a career choice for high school students to consider.

ENSYN Technologies - Something New, Somthing Unique Thanks to CRIBE for a look into this new and exciting wood technology

Creating Green Jobs in Ontario: This video provides a background of the forest industry in the Ottawa Valley in the past, present and future. 

Wood: Nature's Stoke of Genius: Produced by the Danish Wood initiative, this video shows the wide array of products made from wood, and its importance as a renewable, green resource.

Ontario Wood, A Natural Choice: This video, produced by the Ontario Wood initiative, explains some of the many reasons why it pays to buy wood harvested and produced in our own Province. Don't forget to look for the leaf in a store near you.

A Place for Forestry in Algonquin Park: Check out this great TEDx talk by Jamie McRae on the history, scope and sustinaibility of forestry in our near-neighbour, Algonquin Park. Many of these principles apply to our forests in the Ottawa Valley.

A Series of Videos about Forestry in the Bancroft Area: Put together by the Bancroft and Area Forest Industry Association (BAFIA), video topics include local area mills, harvesting, tree marking and values protection. A great way to learn more about forestry on Crown land in Ontario! Make sure to check out BAFIA's website while you're there.

Beyond the Stump: Filmed and edited by the staff of First Resource Management Group in Englehart, Ontario, this video gives an excellent visual of forest management by our nearby neighbours in the Boreal Forest. Check it out to see active forest harvesting, renewal activities and aerial shots of after harvest, new plantations and free-to-grow young forests - an accurate depiction of the "sea of green" that follows sustainable forest management.

Gary & Ron's Video

Custom Dreams & Design Video

Schwan Cedar Video

Raymond Bell & Sons Lumber

Overview of Ottawa Valley Wood

Thanks to Cogeco for producing these videos!

Click HERE to read the publication.

One stop shop for local wood products

May 06, 2013

By: Jolene Lisk

 Using the web to promote “local wood purchasing decisions and also as a way to encourage contractors to source local wood by having a one stop shop to find everything that they need, made by local people from local wood”, is the goal behind Renfrew County, Ontario’s new website ottawavalleywood.com said project co-creator Lacey Rose. 

In a joint effort between the County of Renfrew’s business development officer, Craig Kelley, and a County forester, Lacey Rose, the website ottawavalleywood.com was founded. The innovative project was established in Renfrew County, located in eastern Ontario.  It enables County residents to make an informed decision about purchasing wood locally, by providing the tools to research and find locally manufactured wood products.

The website’s development began in February of 2012 and became active in October of that year. “We are just getting into the broadband world in Eastern Ontario so a lot of our producers and manufacturers aren’t really tied into the internet just yet or active on social media so this is our effort to support that sector as best we can by providing those linkages” explained Kelley.

The website includes interviews with wood product producers. At this point in time, the website includes 40 producer profiles. Rose explained “We were hoping that the website and the profiles of the producers make it a more personal choice to be buying wood from Ontario and specifically our County.”

In February 2013, the website won the award of merit from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario in the category of marketing utilizing technology. “The economic developers felt that this is true business support, that we as an organization and County office were supporting business retention and business expansion” said Kelley. 

There have been over 5000 visits to ottawavalleywood.com so far. The objective is for the website to render sales for their directory members. “At this point we’ve identified at least half a dozen or more direct linkages that have translated into sales in one form or another” explained Kelley. 

Going forward the project is looking to expand the number of producer profiles showcased in their directory. On a larger scale, the initiative would be “happy for other communities to use what we’ve learned and use our template so it will be replicated. We’d be happy to share our knowledge and share our contacts in terms of technology to get this rolling out even further” said Kelley.

The project intends to promote the industry and help support the 5000 direct and indirect jobs that are associated with wood products. Rose explains “A lot of us work in the woods and we’re proud to do so and we’re managing our forests to world-class standards but what happens to that wood once it leaves the forest? I think, as people that work in the forest industry, we should be thinking about our purchasing decisions and encouraging others to think about where their wood is coming from because we should be really proud to use wood from our own backyard, managed and harvested by people in our communities.”

The County of Renfrew and the Community Futures Development Corporation of Renfrew County helped to fund the project through the Eastern Ontario Development Program.

Ontario Forestry Industry Association (OFIA): The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) is a provincial trade association representing  member companies ranging from large multinational corporations to small, family owned  businesses that produce a broad range of products including pulp, paper, paperboard, lumber, panelboard, plywood and veneer.

Ontario Forestry Association (OFA): The OFA is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of all aspects of Ontario's forests, and to develop commitment to stewardship of forest ecosystems. Since 1949, the OFA has been involved in public education around forestry and environmental issues. The OFA promotes the value of our forest lands for multiple purposes.

Ontario Wood: “Ontario Wood” is an initiative to help you identify and purchase locally made Ontario Wood products. Whether you are a consumer, builder, designer or architect, look for the leaf to be sure it’s Ontario Wood.  Many Ottawa Valley Wood producers are also included in the Ontario Wood directory!

Valley Artisans' Co-op: Located in Deep River, the Valley Artisans' Co-op is a store filled with locally-crafted, unique fine art and gifts, including some of the wood artisan's featured in the Ottawa Valley Wood directory. A great place for locally-minded people to shop for wedding, birthday, Christmas and everyday gifts!

Eastern Ontario Model Forest: The EOMF is a not-for-profit, charitable organization.  As one of 15 large-scale working model forests that represent the five major forest ecoregions of Canada, the EOMF works with government, landowners, industry, First Nations, non-government organizations and others to develop new ways to sustain and manage our forest resources.  The model forest provides a unique forum where forest users — many of whom may never have met before — can forge partnerships and gain a greater understanding of conflicting views, share their knowledge, and combine their expertise and resources.

REAL Treehugger: A campaign initiated by the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association. The message: A REAL Treehugger knows that sustainable forestry: Renews and replenishes the ecosystem; promotes Economic growth; Accumulated more carbon; and is the Lifeblood of communities.  Check out their blog here.  

Check out this article about Ottawa Valley Wood that was featured in the Pembroke Observer on April 4.

OttawaValleyWood.com Wins Award 

Note from Ottawa Valley Wood: Thanks so much for sharing this information! Some important forest-related history that points to the long-standing nature of logging here in the Ottawa Valley.

Note from Ottawa Valley Wood: Thanks for sharing your story! There are several cedar producers in our directory. You can find them by clicking on "Cedar" under lumber. Happy gardening!

It’s local. Ontario’s forest products industry is a significant contributor to the provincial economy. Our industry helps to support about 200,000 jobs in more than 260 communities across our province.

It’s Planet Friendly. Ontario is a world leader in sustainable forest management. Less than ½ of 1% of Ontario’s forests are harvested each year and by law plans to renew the forest must be in place prior to harvest and that planned renewal must occur. More than that, wood is renewable, reusable and recyclable.

It’s about Quality and Choice. Ontario’s forests offer a rich variety of hardwood and softwood species that are highly valued worldwide. Ontario manufacturers and craftsmen use this wood to produce hundreds of different products from lumber to flooring to furniture. Whatever your project, you can find a high quality Ontario Wood solution.

For more information, visit the Ontario Wood website.

HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF THESE TRADE SHOWS

1. Harvest legally
2. Regenerate harvested lands promptly
3. Reduce waste, support recovery and recycling
4. Reduce greenhouse gases and help fight climate change
5. Welcome independent scrutiny of forest management practices

The goal of this new and innovative project is to maximize and create new marketing opportunities for many local timber and lumber industries that have been relatively hard hit over the last five years due to a drop in global demand and the economic recession that began in 2009 and still has lingering effects. By creating and increasing marketing opportunities for local mills, producers, artisan and businesses that produce local products, the process will help maintain and expand their existing customer base. Through a long term strategic approach using modern technology and innovative web tools, there is a greater chance for increased economic development within this sector.

This project will also raise the profile of sustainable forest management within the Ottawa Valley. The region is recognized both locally and internationally for the advanced techniques of forest management, and the ability of local producers to gain the greatest economic benefits from this natural resource. The County of Renfrew has a variety of forests that allows local manufacturers to develop and deliver a variety of wood products for sale. The ability to effectively market these quality products will lead to increased employment opportunities for local companies.

The new innovative website and increased marketing will also create a sense of community pride among the local consumers in their desire to access and purchase local wood products. The County of Renfrew has a strong tradition of supporting local producers when consumers are introduced to these companies. Most importantly, local consumers have embraced the notion of buying and supporting local producers. Many of the local consumers were completely unaware of the quality and quantity of products available within their own geographical region. Not only did they have the chance to buy local products, but the consumers saved time and money by accessing the local markets; they contributed to the long term sustainability of these producers; and they helped stimulate and increase economic development by reinvesting in the local economy. This translates into local jobs, and increased opportunities for new employment opportunities within this sector.

The residents of the County of Renfrew want to buy local products and support the local economy. Perhaps the greatest impediment to this process is their general lack of awareness of local wood products. This new project will remove that barrier and introduce the consumers to the local products.

Make sure to check out our wood directory for all your hunt camp renovation needs, or for a gift for your spouse at the end of hunting season!

Ottawa Valley Wood is proud to be included in the October issue!

Check it out online:  pubs.cif-ifc.org/journal/tfc

Your submission will be reviewed and you will be contacted via email.