NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFP'S) & LAND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES
Welcome to the NTFPs & Land Stewardship Activities Department
Over the past several years, SNB has broadened its services to support woodlot owners with a wide range of sustainable forest management practices. Our goal is to help landowners not only manage their woodlots effectively, but also explore the full potential of their forest resources.
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Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and wildlife management have become areas of growing interest among both long-time and new woodlot owners. More and more, people are seeking diverse, integrated approaches that go beyond traditional tree harvesting — focusing instead on multi-resource management that enhances ecological, economic, and cultural values.
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Below, you’ll find some of the activities and initiatives we’ve undertaken in recent years. We’re proud to offer these expanded services and look forward to continuing this journey with new and exciting projects on the horizon.
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We are also honoured to partner with Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Fundy Model Forest, and the Town of Rothesay, whose collaboration and support have been instrumental in advancing our shared goals of sustainable land stewardship.
Mallard Hen House Project
This project aims to improve nesting success for mallard hens on private lands in southern New Brunswick. Predation from coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and skunks — along with late-spring flooding — has reduced the productivity of traditional nesting areas.
Since 2012, SNB has built and installed more than 250 elevated, predator-resistant hen houses on 110 private woodlots, following the proven Delta Waterfowl design. These safer nests help mallards reproduce successfully and strengthen local populations.
This work is made possible through the support of Wildlife Habitat Canada, the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, and SNB Wood Co-operative Ltd., along with hunters and conservationists whose contributions fund these efforts.​
Helping Wood Ducks Thrive Again
Over the past several years, prime wood duck nesting habitat on private woodlots across southern New Brunswick has declined due to habitat aging, reduced vegetation productivity, and land clearing near traditional nesting sites. As a result, wood duck numbers have noticeably dropped.
To address this, SNB Wood Co-Op launched a habitat restoration project focused on wetlands, river bottomlands, and forested ponds. Since 2012, we’ve installed more than 300 wood duck nesting boxes at 85 locations and planted over 4,000 oak trees (red, bur, and white), while releasing local mast-producing trees from competing vegetation.
These efforts have significantly improved habitat quality for local wood duck populations, with strong support and enthusiasm from participating woodlot owners.
We extend our gratitude to Wildlife Habitat Canada, the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Ducks Unlimited, and the SNB Wood Co-operative Ltd., as well as to hunters and conservationists whose contributions through Conservation Stamps, licenses, and plates make these projects possible.
Restoring Woodcock Habitat
The goal of this project is to improve habitat quality for woodcock on private woodlots in our region. Many abandoned farmlands and fields have become overgrown with dense alder and other deciduous shrubs, reducing the variety of habitats woodcock need for singing, brooding, nesting, feeding, and roosting.
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To address this, we are rejuvenating old alder and shrub stands on five selected woodlots. Our approach includes cutting 50–100 foot wide strips through overgrown areas using a combination of excavators with bush-hogs or manual thinning, depending on site conditions. Roosting areas will be improved by mowing strips with tractors or hand tools where necessary.
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These activities are planned to occur every five years, ensuring that the habitat remains ideal for woodcock populations over time.
Sustainable Forest & Deer Management
This project helps landowners improve forest health while enhancing whitetail deer habitat on their woodlots. Tailored management plans assess feeding areas, cover, fawning zones, and wintering habitat, and provide recommendations for timber management, reforestation, and habitat improvements.
Game camera surveys monitor deer populations and inform actionable management strategies. By encouraging active land management, the project supports healthier forests, stronger deer populations, and better recreational opportunities for hunters and woodlot owners alike.
Connecting Communities With Forests
Over the past few years, SNB has developed a 4.5 km walking trail on private woodlots and in the Town of Rothesay. The trail features culverts, gravel paths, and several walking bridges (ranging from 10' to 30'), providing residents and schoolchildren with opportunities for exercise, education, and nature appreciation.
All tree species along the trail are labeled to highlight the area’s ecological diversity, and future plans include demonstrating low-impact sustainable forestry treatments such as small selection harvests, pre-commercial thinning, and crop-tree release.
Upgraded signage will further enhance awareness of native trees and shrubs, showing that forest management can be both educational and environmentally responsible.