Dianne Saxe, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, visited Parry Sound and the French-Severn forest last Wednesday.

In the morning, Westwind Forest Manager, Barry Davidson (far right) attended a breakfast hosted by the Georgian Bay Biospshere Reserve in honor of the visit from Dianne Saxe (far left).  Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller (second from right) along with Parry Sound Mayor, Jamie McGarvey (second from left) also discussed environmental successes and challenges in our communities. Photo courtesy of Don Huff.

Dianne Saxe and Don Huff also joined Barry Davidson and Forester Intern, Margaret Scott for a field visit. The first stop involved a discussion of beech bark disease and some of its impacts on the French-Severn forest. The Environmental Commissioner poses with a beech tree with many bear claw marks.

At the next stop, Barry Davidson (left) and Margaret Scott (center) discussed deer yards, hemlock stands, and hemlock wooly adelgid with Dianne Saxe (right). The day ended with a discussion about species at risk including the Massasauga rattlesnake and the Blanding’s turtle. Despite the bugs and rain, it was a great morning full of sharing information and discussing forest management. Photo courtesy of Don Huff.