Mission
Involved in human and ecological forestry.
Wood products are omnipresent in our lives. Every day, 8 million cubic meters of wood are collected worldwide to fulfill man’s needs. It is possible to supply this demand while maintaining the durability of forestry resources. Well planned forestry intervention allow for careful management of forests while assuring durable resource development. Aménagement forestier agricole des Sommets Inc. integrates to each of its interventions durable management principals aimed at the increase of productivity and the maintenance of ecological diversity in forests.
History
Introduction of forestry groups in Quebec.
The first forestry group in Quebec was founded in 1971 in the Metapedia ascension region. This was the Agro-Forestry group of Restigouche.
This initiative was the work of Mr. Rosaire Beaulieu who wished to counteract against the close of parishes in eastern Québec. This was called “operation dignity”.
The idea was repeated in various regions across Quebec. By 1975, there were already 17 similar management groups available. Today, Quebec’s private forest sector counts 44 forestry groups.
As of 2002, Quebec alone counted 24 631 land owners, each a member of forestry groups. Together they represented 1,768,897 hectors of manageable land. Their sales figures were of 130,949,767$ with 3,384 full time employees.
Foundation of Aménagement Forestier & Agricole des Sommets
It was on March 9th 1978 that the assembly of business creation was held. 19 forestry landowners were present. It was during this assembly that the first administration council was elected:
Émile Madore, president
Roméo Doyon, 1st vice-president
Antoine Roy, 2nd vice-president
Armand Poudrier, administrator
Rosaire Pelletier, administrator
André Ménard, administrator
Roland Veilleux, administrator
Héliodore Côté, administrator
Jules Côté, administrator
Denis Fauteux, administrator
On the first year of operation, the company included 42 forestry land owners, totalling 1800 hectors of forest. The management budget was calculated at 80 000$ for a total sales figure of 235 000$.
On May 28th 1979, the administration council authorized the purchase of Relais St-Malo to be converted into its first head office. Prior to this, administration decisions and office work were made from the president’s or manager’s home.
Company evolution
Since the beginning, shareholding has witnessed rapid progression in our company, going from 42 land owning shareholders in 1979 to 800 today. Aménagement Forestier & Agricole des Sommets’ territory now includes 2,650 potential shareholders.
On top of shareholding landowners, the company offers forestry management services to more than 800 others, representing more than 50% of land owners involved in the forestry sector.
In 1989, in order to answer land owner demands, the company relocated its head office in Coaticook. It was during this same period that a branch was inaugurated in Cookshire for coverage of the St Francis County.
This interest for forestry development from landowners was translated by high activity levels year after year.
The first year’s sales figures were just over 200 000$. By 1989, after ten years of activity, the figures were 10 times higher attaining 2.2m$. 2008-2009 averaged sales figures of 4.5m$.
Most of the work is done locally. The company gives jobs to more than 55 full time employees on top of giving away more than 750,000$ worth in contracts to local businesses.
Company’s Implication
Throughout the years, Aménagement Forestier & Agricole des Sommets’ forestry expertise has been called upon by various groups having the mandate to organise development.
In this regard, our personnel and administrators were attributed to different committees; regulations for tree cutting, provincial OGC representation, Eastern Townships emphasis on private forests, CLDs, the Eastern Townships CRD, The Eastern Townships leaf center, the wood integrity service, the Eastern Townships reorganisation association...
The promotion of forestry reorganisation is a constant preoccupation for our company.
Novelties
In order to maintain its primary objective to reorganise its shareholder’s forests, A.F.A des Sommets has diversified its operation field in order to alleviate its activities.
Furthermore, the possession of lots allows for the stabilizing of working groups while supplying a bank of forestry work on hand.
Vision for the future
Forestry work brings great results to the productivity of our forests. We can safely claim that the management of our forests is better planned and organized than before. However efforts in improving each measure must be kept since we are in the beginning of a forestry capital rebuilding cycle.
Also, many groups are preoccupied by their environment. The life quality of a sector is measured by the quality of each element in the environment. Since 75% of the Eastern Township’s consists of forest land, proper management of this land affects everyone.
This is why the A.F.A des Sommets’ administration council focuses its decisions according to forestry landowner preoccupations, their groups and personnel.
The main objectives are to create quality work while enhancing forest sourced products.
It is important that a forest and its products be well cultivated in order to be sold properly. This insures the durability of forests and its related activities.
Conclusion
After more than 31 years, results from our dedicated efforts are being felt. Today, it is possible, from public roads, to notice what A.F.A des Sommets has done to its territory over the years. Plantations, glades, drainage, regeneration treatements... are all forestry activities that have, and will, improve the quality of our forest's productivity while stimulating local economy. The past guarantees the future. In the forestry sector, this expression has a whole different meaning; it takes more than 50 years to enjoy the fruit of hard work and care. On the other hand, careless activity in our forests can cause dramatic effects for generations to come.
31 years ago, a group of active individuals believed in the accomplishment of a shared vision. Their work gave us the ability to properly manage our forests; a benefit for us, land owners and the entire population. We thank these people for this gift.
