HEY KIDS - EXPLORE THE BOREAL FOREST!
Northern Saskatchewan's boreal forest is a natural resource that belongs to you and many other forest users. But the forest consists of much more than just trees. It is home to all kinds of plants, organisms, wildlife and forest communities, as well as being the place where people work, play and live throughout the year. It's a source of food, shelter water, livelihoods - even the air we breathe! The forest is also the source of wood fibre used by the forest industry to produce pulp, paper, lumber and many other products. But, the forest must be taken care of - it must be properly managed and protected to sustain the health of its resources for years to come.
To give you a chance to explore, Mistik Management Ltd. has developed the Alcott Creek Forest for Science and Discovery, a working forest where timber harvesting has taken place repeatedly over the decades. Inside the Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest, you and your family can see the different stages of forest growth and learn how Mistik's foresters integrate the needs of all forest users in management activities like planning, harvesting and tree planting. It's a place where you can view the basic elements of a forest close up - the soil, water, plants and organisms that all work to create the forest's ecosystems. It is a place where you can also find out more about the surprising connections between the forest's resources and its many users. Besides learning more about the forest, we also want you to enjoy your visit. Make plans for hiking, picnicking, bird watching, sight-seeing and even geo-caching! It's a great place to unwind in the province's northern boreal forest.
Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest is about a half-hour's drive from Meadow Lake - just follow Highway #4 south for about 40 kilometres until you spot the Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest sign on the east side of the highway.
Once you are there, take a slow drive around our 7 kilometre driving trail (note that road conditions may be poor for small vehicles) or take a hike on our recreation trail, about 2 kilometres in length. You will find interpretive signs along both trails.
Better yet, call ahead to Mistik Management Ltd. to find out what road conditions are like or to arrange for a tour of the Demonstration Forest accompanied by an experienced tour guide who can answer all of your questions about the forest and our company's forest management activities.
The Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest is part of the Canadian Forest Service's Forest Ecosystem Research Network of Sites (FERNS).
Over the years, the Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest has been used by a variety of researchers from the University of British Columbia, Yale University, the University of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Forest Service. Mistik Management Ltd. is also pleased to be a partner with the Meadow Lake Junior Forest Wardens in the maintenance of the Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest. This partnership enhances the educational and field experiences of young naturalists.
To learn more about the Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest please feel free to watch our short video.
If you have any questions about the Alcott Creek Demonstration Forest please contact Cliff McLauchlan at
(306) 236-4431.
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