Selby Testing & Engineering Ltd. - (902) 300-1916

Selby Testing & Engineering Ltd.

Our company employs a registered professional Forest Engineer and a FEC certified technician. We provide forest road, culvert and bridge design, timber cruising for woodlot valuation and pre-treatment assessments (PTA) under the new Forest Ecosystem Classification. We also manage forestry projects.

Company Details

Number of years in business3
Number of employees3
Number of Services8
Certifications or Qualifications8
LocationKings, Nova Scotia
Website
Payment OptionsCash,Cheque,Some Credit Cards

Services

Forest Certification

Forest Certification is a tool that was developed to promote sustainable and ecologically responsible forest management, and has gained considerable popularity over the past several decades. Though certification schemes differ, most require adhering to a set of forest management principles, having a detailed management plan, submitting regular updates to the certifying body, and agreeing to periodic site audits by a third party. The most common schemes used in Canada, and Nova Scotia in particular, are governed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). For small private woodlots in the province, the relevant certification schemes are FSC SLIMF and CSA Z804, and there exist several certifying bodies through which a woodlot owner could certify his/her woodland.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Woodlot Mapping

Having a woodlot map makes planning silvicultural treatments easier and gives you a better idea of what you have in your woodlot. Woodlot mapping is often done by a registered professional forester when developing a woodlot management plan, though it can be created on its own. A woodlot map shows where your boundary lines are and generally displays the different stands existing on your woodlot. Aerial photos can be useful to include with woodlot maps.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Wildlife Habitat Management

Woodlot owners who value wildlife and consider wildlife when planning silviculture and harvesting treatments should think about incorporating wildlife habitat management into their woodlot management plan. One can focus on managing for one or two species, or managing for several. Wildlife habitat management can include maintaining wildlife corridors, modifying silvicultural activities to decrease negative impacts on wildlife, leaving snags as nesting trees and downed woody debris for habitat, and putting up nesting boxes.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Watercourse Crossing

Due to the ecological sensitivity of the riparian habitat along watercourses, it is very important that proper care be taken when planning and constructing watercourse crossings in a woodlot. Construction of these crossings should only be done by certified contractors, and needs to be approved by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Timber Appraisal

A timber appraisal is meant to give woodlot owners an idea of what volume and kind of timber they have on their woodlot and how much it is worth. Factors considered in calculating this are tree density, species, and timber quality. Timber appraisals are useful for woodlot owners planning to sell or purchase woodland, or for those just trying to get a sense of what they have on a woodlot. It is generally necessary to hire a professional forester to complete a timber appraisal.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Road Building

Roads are useful when doing silvicultural harvesting and other treatments, as well as for recreational and other purposes. Often, woodlots will have old roads that need to be maintained or will require the construction of new ones. This can include lot clearing and chipping (harvesting poorer quality wood for biomass energy).

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Management Planning

Having a woodlot management plan is an important tool for effective forest management and is a requirement for most forest certification schemes. Management plans include: the goals and objectives of the landowner, a detailed description and inventory of the woodlot (including a map), and a plan for carrying out silvicultural treatments to accomplish the landowner’s goals. The plan should be reviewed and updated every 5 to 10 years to remain relevant and to stay in line with the landowner’s wishes and needs. While it is very useful to have a registered professional forester create the management plan, it is important that the landowner be involved in the process as well to ensure that it conforms to their own unique needs and values.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Hardwood Management

In forest stands primarily made up of hardwood species, many owners/operators manage for harvesting firewood commercially or for private use.

Counties: Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Kings, Hants, Digby, Annapolis
Lot Sizes: over 10 acres, 5 to 10 acres, under 5 acres

Qualifications

    FEC Certification
    Holds certificate for completion of the NS Forest Ecosystem Classification course.
    3rd Party Audited Safety Program
    Has safety program reviewed by 3rd party auditing.
    Chain Saw
    Certification for chain saw use, safety, and maintenance.
    Transportation of Dangerous Goods
    Have completed the required training to offer, handle, or transport dangerous goods and have received the relevant training certificate.
    Watercourse Alteration
    Have completed a Watercourse Alteration Certification course recognized in Nova Scotia.
    Liability Insurance
    Has current Liability Insurance.
    Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
    A member in good standing with the Registered Professional Foresters Association of Nova Scotia.
    Other Qualifications
    Professional Engineer

Contact Details

Company NameSelby Testing & Engineering Ltd.
Contact NameDr. Melanie Hobbs, P. Eng., RPF
Phone(902) 300-1916
Emailmelanie.hobbs@selbytesting.com
Street1434
TownColdbrook
CountyKings
ProvinceNova Scotia
Postal CodeB4R1B2

Map

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