PEIThe Woodlot Owners Association of P.E.I. has announced former premier Pat Binns and his wife, Carol Binns, as the recipient for woodlot owner of the year.Award recognizes Pat and Carol Binns’s dedication to restoring, conserving forestsJenna Banfield · CBC News · Posted: Oct 11, 2025 5:43 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoCarol Binns, left, and Pat Binns have been recognized by the Woodlot Owners Association of P.E.I. (Jenna Banfield/CBC)The Woodlot Owners Association of P.E.I. has announced that former premier Pat Binns and his wife, Carol Binns, are the association’s woodlot owners of the year.The pair were described in a release from the association as “an incredible example of stewardship in action” and applauds their efforts to create biodiverse forests.The former premier owns various parts of woodland in Murray River. He has created an organization called the Sustainable Forest Alliance, which encourages woodlot owners to grow their woodlots, and helps create plans to guide owners in the future.On Saturday, Binns took a group on tour at one location that showcased maple, ash, birch and cedar trees.Binns was the 30th premier of Prince Edward Island. (Jenna Banfield/CBC)Another location, in front of Binns’s home, includes rows of black walnut trees“Ours are, I guess, six years old now, seven years old, and they’re coming along. They will eventually produce walnuts. That takes about 10 years.”He said he’s spent a lot of time trying to salvage areas of the woods damaged by post-tropical storm Fiona.“I’m now happy to try and show people what we’re trying to do and hopefully it’ll lead to some positive benefits down the road.”‘Ideal woodlot owner of the year’The Woodlot Owners Association of P.E.I. encourages proper forest management, sustainable forestry and moving forward in the direction of developing woodlands.Wanson Hemphill is a retired forest consultant who is now a director with the P.E.I. Woodlot Owners Association. (Jenna Banfield/CBC)Wanson Hemphill is a director of the association who worked in forestry while Binns was premier.He says the association assesses long-term goals in regards to wildlife, biodiversity and sustainability in its selection.“He fits that criteria very well for that ideal woodlot owner of the year.”ABOUT THE AUTHORJenna Banfield is an associate producer for CBC Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at jenna.banfield@cbc.ca
Former premier, family recognized by Woodlot Association of P.E.I.
