MANAGEMENT PLANS—THE PATH TO THE FUTURE

The Department of Lands and Forests of the Province of Ontario, has completed one cycle in forest management planning and inventory compilation which was initiated in 1946.As a result of the experience gained since 1946 by the forestry staff, a nucleus of which has been working continually since the beginning of the original program, the Department now has what is believed to be a satisfactory revision which will obtain realistic management plans. These plans will have guiding objectives in line with good forestry practice and will also recognize the limitations imposed by social and economic conditions.In 1958, the Department commenced the re-inventory and is applying the new procedures to new photography, ground sampling and compilation. The revision of management plans is also proceeding as an integral part of the total program.This paper describes some of the factors involved in making decisions for management plans, it refers to the new inventory procedures, and highlights as an example, the plan for the Englehart Management Unit. Other Management units are briefly described to indicate some of the variations necessary in the application of plans to meet local conditions.