Perth County’s forest conservation bylaw draws strong turnout in Milverton

A view of one of Roger and Elaine Cook’s well-maintained evergreen windbreaks in North Easthope. Roger Cook says they keep them neatly trimmed with help from neighbour Bruce Neeb, who uses a tree-trimming telehandler and GreenTec quad saw. Gary West photo

By Gary West

A large crowd of Perth County farmers and rural landowners packed into the Perth East Recreation Complex in Milverton in December to learn more about the county’s proposed changes to its forest conservation bylaw.

Despite stormy weather, interest was high and the audience remained respectful and engaged throughout the evening.

The open house included presentations from forestry inspector Marvin Smith, legislative services manager and clerk Tyler Sager, and county lawyer and prosecutor Darrell Hawreliak. Attendees later raised questions and concerns about how the proposed changes could affect farm operations, property rights and forestry practices.

Among the key issues brought forward:

• concern about windbreaks being included within the scope of the bylaw

• a request that the definition of a woodlot be aligned with provincial standards

• clarification that a bylaw officer cannot enter private property without notice or permission

• worries that landowners may stop planting trees if regulations feel too restrictive

• a call for a different structure for the appeals committee

Perth County Warden Dean Trentowsky said there is no predetermined completion date for the review process.

“Any suggestion that the bylaw will be finished in 2026 is speculation,” he said.

All comments from the Milverton open house will be compiled by staff and brought to county council for discussion at a special meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. Trentowsky added that residents who did not attend the meeting are still encouraged to submit written comments or questions, which will also form part of the staff report.

Roger and Elaine Cook of North Easthope Township, longtime stewards of their 200-acre farm where roughly 25 per cent is forested, attended the open house and appreciated the clarifications offered.

Many people, they felt, arrived believing the proposed bylaw would restrict tree planting or prevent landowners from managing their woodlots.

“There seemed to be a misconception that pruning wasn’t allowed,” Elaine Cook said.

Smith clarified that pruning is permitted and encouraged and noted that a single-row windbreak would “almost never” fall under the bylaw. He emphasized the importance of ongoing management, a point the Cooks strongly support.

Roger Cook said most of their forest work takes place in winter and focuses on improving tree quality, promoting vigorous hardwood growth and maintaining kilometres of trails for recreation and harvesting. Their home and workshop are heated with firewood from their managed woodlot.

The Cooks believe a well-crafted conservation bylaw can help ensure healthy, productive forests across Perth County for generations. They also praised local farmers Gerald Kolkman of Monkton and Henry Koskamp of Avonton for their detailed, revised recommendations on the bylaw.

Following the bylaw discussion, county resilience and stewardship coordinator Hannah Cann presented updates on the Perth County Land Stewardship Program, now in its second year. She highlighted several accomplishments:

• 20,584 trees planted

• 31.234 kilometres of new strategic windbreaks

• 38.85 acres of degraded or marginal land reforested

The program has received strong support from neighbouring counties and local applicants, who see value in expanding stewardship initiatives, including cover crop projects.

The stewardship program is accepting applications for spring 2026 tree planting and forest-management projects until Jan. 30, 2026. Details are available at perthcounty.ca/stewardship or by emailing hcann@perthcounty.ca.