National research forests

• 1920s – Silviculture research starts on future site of the ARF with studies on stand development, forest ecology, response to thinning, partial harvesting methods, nursery practices, reforestation techniques, and site classification.
• 1930s – Site developed through labour provided by Department of National Defence’s relief camps. Between 1938 and 1939, the ARF begins offering 9-week “Youth Training Short Courses in Forestry” to young farmers.
• 1933 – The ARF begins inventory of the forest near Fredericton, New Brunswick.
• 1940s – During the Second World War, the Department of National Defence used the ARF as an internment camp with work carried out by inmates.
• 1950s – Silviculture research continues; tree improvement program formalized, which marked the beginning of many collaborative experiments done at the ARF; research into spruce budworm epidemic begins.
• 1960s – Spruce budworm research continues at the ARF and timber sales begin. Annual production at the nursery reached 100,000 seedlings mid-decade; large-scale timber sales revenue began.
• 1970s – The ARF increases its emphasis on hardwood management, including commercial thinning and other partial harvest treatments; spruce budworm research winds down as epidemic concludes.
• 1980s – The ARF continues to be primary field research facility, while CFS nursery is relocated to the newly constructed Atlantic Forestry Centre, in Fredericton NB.
• 1990s – The ARF continues to develop sustainable forest management and implements best management practices (BMPs).
• 2000s – The ARF continues many studies, including Acadian alternative silviculture, white spruce genetic thinning as well as red and black spruce hybrid experiments. Some of these studies lead to the registration of some herbicide products currently registered today in Canada.
• 2010s – In collaboration with its partners, the ARF establishes the University of New Brunswick’s Ecological Monitoring Tower and Canada’s National Geomagnetic Calibration Facility. In 2014, post-tropical storm Arthur caused a blowdown of natural stands and research plantations, leading to a series of salvage harvest operations in early 2015.

• The Accuair® Wind Tunnel is a state-of-the-art facility used to measure how pesticides disperse when sprayed from an airplane under various flying conditions. Before 2003, the wind tunnel functioned as a portable research unit but has since been made a permanent fixture at the ARF. It is now owned, operated and managed by Forest Protection Limited.
• LiDAR Technology Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is changing how forest inventory is carried out. Leading Edge Geomatics, a Fredericton-based company, tests equipment and develops their LiDAR products at the ARF. As a result, LiDAR information has been acquired at different intensities over the past few years for the entire ARF, and is being used to highlight and promote the power of using LiDAR technology for forestry applications.
• Ecological monitoring tower – This 31m tower, launched in 2013 and co-managed with the Atlantic Forestry Centre, provides an outdoor laboratory equipped with a full suite of meteorological equipment. The tower is capable of measuring carbon fluxes, water and energy exchange in the air and soil, temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.
• Geomagnetic calibration facility – The latest addition to the ARF’s suite of high-tech installations is a geomagnetic calibration facility. Completed in 2016, this specialized facility is used to calibrate equipment that monitors, forecasts and reports on the earth’s magnetic field and on space weather, which can cause disturbances such as power outages and disruptions to GPS navigation systems.

We have partnered with:

• University of New Brunswick
• Maritime College of Forest Technology
• Department of National Defence
• Forest Protection Limited
• Canadian Wildlife Service - Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre

The ARF has long served as an education and training facility due to its proximity to the University of New Brunswick and the Maritime College of Forest Technology. Each year, the ARF hosts classes and labs for road construction and maintenance, Acadian silviculture methods, and a comprehensive two-week wildlife camp for second year students.

The forest comprises approximately 9,000 hectares of mixed forest containing softwood, hardwood, and mixed-wood stands. Tree species at the ARF include:

• Black and red spruce (Picea mariana and Picea rubens)
• White, red and jack pine (Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa and Pinus banksiana)
• Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
• Red and sugar maple (Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum)
• White, gray and yellow birch (Betula papyrifera, Betula populifolia and Betula alleghaniensis)
• Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
• Eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
• Small amounts (and different species) of oak, beech and ash (Quercus, Facus grandifolia, Facus sylvatica and Fraxinus)

The climate in the ARF is a mixture between maritime and continental, but is slightly warmer than most parts of the region due to its proximity to New Brunswick’s Grand Lake. The average growing season is 91 days, with an annual precipitation averaging 1143.5 mm. The coldest month is typically January (average historical temperature of −12°C) while the warmest month is July (average historical temperature of 20°C).

The ARF welcomes visiting groups and encourages educational tours for forestry professionals, research scientists, interest groups and students from around the world.

As a part of the large tract of protected lands known as the Burpee Game Management Area, the ARF does not permit hunting, trapping or snaring within the boundaries of the forest. However, recreational fishing is allowed in the small brooks throughout the forest.

Recreational ATVs and snowmobiles are discouraged on the property, as the forest is not part of provincial trail networks.

For more information, please contact: John McMullen, Chief, Acadia Research Forest.

Studies at the PRF are investigating forest adaptation to a changing climate and methods to support Canada’s transition toward an innovative, forest-based bioeconomy.

The PRF offers researchers:

• Long-term security for research and forest data collection
• State-of-the-art forest inventory
• Cost-effective fieldwork locations and a well-maintained road network
• Knowledge sharing opportunities, including tours and presentations
• A representational forest of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region

Current research areas include:

• Next generation enhanced forest inventory
• Climate change adaptation
• Innovative silviculture techniques
• Bioindicators
• Forest-based bioeconomy
• Forest genetics

The PRF encourages collaboration among government, private sector, academia, and other organizations, and continues to expand partnerships to new researchers and groups. New collaborators are always welcome and are encouraged to contact the PRF.

Below is a sample of partners to date:

• University of Toronto
• FPInnovations
• Environment Canada
• Queen’s University
• Forest Products Association
• Canadian Institute of Forestry
• Department of National Defence
• Université du Québec à Montréal
• Université Laval
• Algonquin College
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Predominant tree species at the PRF include:

• White, red and jack pine (Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa and Pinus banksiana)
• Red oak (Quercus rubra)
• Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
• Red and sugar maple (Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum)
• White spruce (Picea glauca)

The climate in the PRF is considered continental, but is slightly drier compared to surrounding areas due to the rain shadow effect caused by the highlands in Algonquin Park. The average growing season is 136 days, with an annual precipitation averaging 859 mm. The coldest month is typically January (average temperature of -12°C) while the warmest month is July (average temperature of 20°C).

Extensive road networks are available for vehicle use throughout the spring, summer and autumn. Please note that several remote locations within the forest are not accessible by car. Roadways in the PRF are closed to the public during the winter.

Tours may be available upon request and can be adapted to specific needs.

If you are interested in arranging a tour, please contact: The Canadian Wood Fibre Centre or Heidi Erdle, Forest Liaison Tech Transfer Manager, Petawawa Research Forest.