FGCA and the Butternut Recovery Team

The FGCA has been advising landowners on how to manage their forests to conserve butternut since 1993. We are assisted by Ontario Stewardship, the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, The Arboretum (University of Guelph), Eastern Chapter-Society of Ontario Nut Growers, the Ontario Woodlot Association, the Ontario Forestry Association and the Canadian Forest Service. Several of these groups, as well as Dr. Ostry of the USDA Forest Service, initiated the Butternut Conservation Coalition to coordinate research and conservation efforts for butternut, including, most recently, the Status Report on Butternut (2003). A copy of this report can be found at the bottom of this page.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) reviewed the Status Report and recommended in November 2003 to Environment Canada (EC) that butternut have endangered status under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). If officially accepted and listed by EC, a National Recovery Team will be formed to develop a National Recovery Strategy. Education of landowners has been and will continue to be a key part of these efforts.

In the meantime, starting in January 2005, an Ontario Butternut Recovery Team was formed to address conservation efforts and continue the work begun by the FGCA and the Butternut Conservation Coalition. As of May 2005 the Team has met twice and has hosted two sessions to update stakeholders on conservation efforts. A draft Recovery Strategy is being developed, but ahead of the Strategy being finalized several activities will be started. These include:

• Butternut education and fundraising
• Diseased tree assessment guidelines to help landowners and consultants determine the vigour of infected trees
• Butternut management practices to help landowners increase its vigour and promote natural regeneration
• Location of vigorously surviving butternut for seed collection

Ontario Butternut Recovery Team members:

Co-chair Barb Boysen	FGCA Coordinator	Peterborough
Co-chair Cathy Nielsen	Biodiversity Specialist	Brockville
Brian Barkley	Eastern Ontario Model Forest	Kemptville
Dr. Judy Loo	CFS, Geneticist	Fredericton
Dr. Tannis Beardmore	CFS, Tree Physiologist	Fredericton
Dr. Richard Wilson	MNR, Pathologist	Sault Ste. Marie
Shaun Thompson	MNR, Ecologist	Kemptville
Roxanne St. Martin	MNR, SAR Biologist	Peterborough
Karen Hartley	MNR, SAR Biologist	Peterborough
Ed Czerwinski	MNR, Forest Health Technician	Peterborough
Emma Followes	MNR, Ecologist	Aurora
Dr. Greg Boland	University of Guelph, Pathologist	Guelph
Dr. John McLaughlin	MNR, Pathologist	Guelph / Sault Ste. Marie
Dr. Martin Hubbes	University of Toronto, Pathologist	Toronto
Dr. Tony Hopkin	CFS, Pathologist	Sault Ste. Marie
Dr. Mike Ostry	USDA, Pathologist	Minnesota

If you are interested in hearing more about the efforts of the Ontario Butternut Recovery Team, please contact us.

Downloads:

  COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Butternut (PDF, 1 MB)