We’re celebrating Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project’s 10-year Member-versary with the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce! 

Here’s what Eric Edward, Co-Director, had to say about his experience with the GCACC:

“It’s been a pleasure working with the Chamber. I have nothing but positive things to say – two thumbs up. That’s not common these days. Community supporting community! The Chamber helps small businesses achieve their goals through affordable services – amazing!”

 

 

 

 

About Macphail Woods

When Eric joined Macphail Woods over 25 years ago, the organization was a small team equipped with outdated tools. Today, it has evolved into a thriving entity with 13 full-time staff members, a beautiful nature center, a growing nursery, and state-of-the-art equipment. The mission of Macphail Woods is centred on education, restoration, and conservation. They offer a variety of programs including summer camps, workshops, university courses, and chainsaw safety training. The organization manages 2000 acres of public land, operates a native plant nursery, and provides forestry consulting and restoration services. Exciting projects are currently underway, such as coastal forest studies and a documentary series focused on Island forests. Here’s to celebrating the journey and looking forward to the future!

Q&A with Eric Edward, Co-Director

1. Do you prefer a messy desk or a clean desk?

Clean but it often isn’t.

2. Would you rather see the future or change the past?

I think we are all about changing the present here at Macphails.

3. Would you rather have a beach day or eat out at a nice restaurant?

One of my favourite things to do is spend the day at the beach and then still covered in salt, sand and sunscreen – go to a nice restaurant.

4. You have a day to act like a tourist on PEI. What do you do?

Art gallery, and then a show at the Confederation Centre.

5. Do you have a favorite book, movie, show, or podcast you’re enjoying now?

I’m currently reading Joel Salatin’s, The Marvellous Pigness of Pigs. It’s a fascinating intersection of faith and ecology.

6. How long has your business been in operation?

Macphail Woods has been in business since 1991.

7. What products or services do you offer?

Where do I start? Okay, we have three main mandates: education, restoration and conservation. We run summer camps, free workshops, university courses, chainsaw safety training, in-depth forest ecology course in our School of Woodland Ecology. We have a native plant nursery and offer consulting and landscape services – every native plant is an important seed source. We manage 2000 acres of public land, have a forestry crew, mill and are developing wood products. We provide forest consulting services for private landowners, as well as, forest restoration services. And we are currently leading a number of special projects, including the study of coastal forests, black ash distribution, a documentary series on Island forests and hosting a nature education teachers’ conference this summer.

8. What makes your business unique?

We are trying our absolute best to be the change we want to see in the world. We are and have been incredibly successful but the success demonstrates that treating our environment with care and love is also economically powerful. We also just do stuff –

9. What do you like most about being a member of the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce?

Community supporting community! The Chamber helps small businesses achieve their goals through affordable services – amazing!

10. Why have you remained a member for the last 10 years?

It’s been a pleasure working with the Chamber. I have nothing but positive things to say – two thumbs up. That’s not common these days.

11. How does your business look different now compared to when it started?

When I joined Macphails over 25 years ago we were housed in a leaky shed with a rusty few shovels and one ancient 254 Husqvarna chainsaw (great saw by the way – still have it and fire it up every now and then). Today, we have 13 full time staff, 7 part-time, a beautiful nature centre, a growing nursery, loads of cutting edge equipment and clear pathway forward. It’s very exciting days here.