HURONIA WOODLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION
50+ YEARS OF HISTORY
The Huronia Woodland Owners Association (HWOA) was formed in 1971 by an enthusiastic group of landowners and land interest groups who wanted a forum for interested people to promote wise use of forest resources on private land. After more than 50 years of service to our membership our main purpose has not changed. We have a common interest in forestry and the wise long term use of the forest resources including as wildlife habitat, for recreation, and forest products.
In 2018, HWOA officially became the Huronia chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA). Chapter membership is included with your OWA membership.
2024 HWOA Board of Directors
(Left to right in photo)
Cam Douglas (cameron.douglas100@gmail.com), David Bowden (david_bowden@hotmail.com),
Sandy Agnew (sagnew@ecomedic.ca), Jack McFadden (jjmcfadden@sympatico.ca),
David Hawke (david.hawke55@gmail.com), John Crawford (Line8jcrawford@hotmail.com),
Craig Drury (craig.drury@vermeercanada.com), Doug Frost (doug@forksinthetrail.com),
Adam Parker (a_parker@sympatico.ca), Grant Casbourne (bgcas@hotmail.com)
Our History
On June 8, 1971 woodland owners met with John Caston from the Ontario Dept. of Lands and
Forests; together they decided that an organization was needed to promote the good
management of private land for sustainable forestry and wildlife habitat. John became the
driving force and our principal founding member. From that initial meeting, the
Huronia Woodland Owners Association (HWOA) was formed and the first members’ meeting was
held in Coldwater on Sept. 15, 1971. (In 1999, the managers of the Simcoe County Forest, renamed
Lot 3, Conc. 6, Springwater Township, as the “Caston Tract”, dedicating it to John Caston.)
Over the years, HWOA has drawn members primarily from Simcoe County, but also from
Dufferin County to the south and even more northern areas towards Bracebridge and
Huntsville. Our area has a dynamic mix of naturally occurring sugar maple, red oak, white oak
and other hardwoods mixed with white pine, hemlock and balsam fir. We also have numerous
plantations of Red and White Pine, white spruce and other conifers.
Presently there are more than 170 Huronia Chapter members who actively promote good
forest management, taking into consideration all the health benefits to the environment that
trees provide so that future generations can enjoy the woodlands to the fullest. HWOA
organizes seminars and field days for members and others interested in learning about healthy
forests including flora and fauna.
One HWOA member, in particular, deserves special mention: Jack O’Hara designed our crest, a
unique symbol of our association. On the crest are mature White Pine, recognizing our history;
a Sugar Maple representing a strong hardwood market and maple syrup production; well-
shaped trees representing Christmas trees and young conifers representing tree planting.
The HWOA awards the Jack O’Hara Forestry Scholarship annually. This $1,000 scholarship is
awarded to a College or University student who has completed one year or 2 semesters in a
Forestry Program or a program that impacts on Forestry.
Each year the Huronia Woodland Owners Association also awards the “White Pine Award” to a
member who has demonstrated outstanding forest management and conservation efforts.
The HWOA Field Days are held in September at members’ properties or an interesting off-site
location. We also have ‘open to the public’ meetings, such as our Forest Health meeting in the
spring, where speakers are brought in to inform members and guests on a variety of interesting
topics.
Since 2018, HWOA membership has been included with membership in
the Ontario Woodlot Association. The OWA offers extensive forest management resources to
our members and holds an annual two-day spring conference.
Highlights through the years
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In 1994, the Ontario Forestry Association and the HWOA sponsored the local awareness action against the cancellation of the Forest Tax Rebate program.
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In 2000, the AGM held at Wye Marsh featured the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Review.
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In 2003, the Ontario Forestry Association asked the HWOA to make a presentation to the OFA annual meeting. Five members, each with a different format, made presentations.
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In 2006, the HWOA became an active participant in the Maple Tree Replacement Program. The HWOA heard about Maple Leaves Forever and contacted them about distributing maples. Over the following 9 years, 18,000 Sugar Maple trees were planted in our area as part of the Maple Tree Replacement Program.
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Our Quarterly newsletter, “Through the Knothole”, which started in the fall of 1999, now has over 100 issues on record. Prior to the publication of the “Knothole”, a letter was sent out quarterly by John Caston to all members (originally handwritten, later typed and mimeographed). Before that, our news was passed on by telephone chain.
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In 2018, HWOA became the Huronia Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association. This provides all members with full OWA membership and access to its resources.
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In 2021, HWOA marked its 50th anniversary virtually in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic.
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In September 2021, HWOA held its first Fall Field Day "post-pandemic" at the McFadden property (also the first property to be harvested under the Huronia Community Forest Co-operative Pilot project). Graeme Davis from the Simcoe County Forestry Department presented a history of Simcoe Forests to mark their 100th anniversary.
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In 2023 HWOA member, David Hawke, is awarded the "Lorax Award" from the OWA for his environmental education efforts.
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In April 2024, HWOA hosted the 31st OWA Woodlot Tour and Conference at Horseshoe Valley Resort. Themed "Restoration & Resilience", the sold-out Conference featured a trade show and equipment demonstrations along with tours of a local sawmill, a hike in the Copeland Forest and a visit to the Simcoe County museum. The key-note speaker was Graeme Davis, Chief Forester, Simcoe County Forestry Department.
