The first-ever 5 Days for the Forest will occur in Fredericton during National Forest Week (Sept. 19-24, 2016). The forest festival will celebrate our diverse mixed-wood forest, wildlife and flora. The events will foster an appreciation of New Brunswick’s forest biodiversity in an effort to ensure its conservation. Organized by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick with support from our members and the public, events will feature:
Monday, Sept. 19: Old Hemlock Forest Walk with Jim Goltz in Odell Park
Join us for walk through Fredericton’s old-growth hemlock forest, home to all 32 native species of the Acadian forest and a variety of flora and fauna. Meet at the Odell Park Lodge at 6:00pm sharp. Jim Goltz, a local celebrated naturalist will take walkers through the forest to identify trees, forest plants and wildlife. Enjoy pre-walk nature activities for the young and young-at-heart with Nadine Ives from the Conservation Council’s Learning Outside program at 5:30pm. Meet at the Odell Park Lodge. A hot cup of chaga tea donated by Real Food Connections will be served following the walk. Facebook event page.
Tuesday, Sept. 20: OMISTA’s Local Chews & Brews at the Crowne Plaza
Enjoy some hors d’oeuvres made with local vegetables and fish, a cash bar with local brews and ciders on tap, and poetry by Marilyn Lerch at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Fredericton at 6:00 pm. Sponsored by the OMISTA Credit Union. Buy local, bank local! Facebook event page.
Wednesday, Sept. 21: Visual Forest Feast: photos, film & Milda’s pizza
Join us for a slice of Milda’s pizza and a visual trip with award-winning wildlife and conservation photographer Nick Hawkins through the Indio Maiz, the largest continuous stretch of primary rainforest left in Central America in Nicaragua to the Acadian forest of New Brunswick. Nick’s photo-presentation will be followed by Community Forests International‘s short documentary, Kokota: Islet of Hope, on how Tanzanian communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change are planting trees and organizing to find solutions for their communities. The visual presentations will be followed by discussion with Nick Hawkins and Community Forest International’s Zach Melanson on what is being done at the grassroots level to conserve forests and combat climate change. Festivities begin at 6:00pm. Facebook event page.
Wednesday, Sept. 21: TREEvia Night at the Grad House
Back by popular demand, TREEvia Night will quiz participants on all things wild about New Brunswick at the weekly trivia night at the Grad House (676 Windsor St.) at the University of New Brunswick. TREEvia starts at 7:30pm. Bring a team of your friends or come solo and we’ll find you a team. Facebook event page.
Thursday events are fundraisers for the Conservation Council’s forest conservation program.
Thursday, Sept. 22: Gala for the Forest with Gypsophilia at The Playhouse 
Four-time ECMA award-winning jazz band Gypsophilia will perform at The Playhouse in a fundraiser for the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. This 7-piece instrumental band mixes hot jazz with klezmer, funk, and world rhythms. Tickets: $40 + HST. Buy online at The Playhouse. $20 charitable tax receipt upon request at info@conservationcouncil.ca. Facebook event page.
Thursday, Sept. 22: Tumba Sound at The Capital
Join us for a night of dancing with one of our hometown favourite bands, Tumba Sound, at The Capital at 9:30pm. $8. Tickets on sale at the door. Facebook event page.
Friday, Sept. 23: Screening of A Beautiful Forest. The film by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network shares the beauty of our forest and wisdom of elders on Aboriginal rights and treaties. Co-hosted by Cinema Politica Fredericton, the film will screen at Conserver House, 180 Saint John St. at 6:00pm. Post-film discussion with the filmmakers and characters from the film.
Be part of 5 Days for the Forest by donating $5, $15, $50 or more. All funds will go towards the Conservation Council’s forest conservation program.
For more information, contact Tracy at forest@conservationcouncil.ca.
With support from
