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In 1969, a greenhouse/nursery facility was built at the Acadia
Research Forest outside Fredericton on the road to Minto. These
facilities served the many research scientists at Canadian Forest
Service for many years, but with the advent of newer technology
and higher demands placed on forest research, the Acadia greenhouses
became outdated. Upon completion of the Hugh John Flemming Forest
Complex in Fredericton, the greenhouse/nursery facilities were moved
from Acadia to be closer to the staff and to better support our
research activities. The Acadia Research Forest continues to be
used for field work and outside experiments.
 Worth more than $3.5 million, these state-of -the-art greenhouses
provide scientists with advanced facilities to enhance and support
their research activities. With over 21,000 square feet of greenhouse
space including 15 walk-in enviroment chambers, the AFC greenhouses
are served by a climate control computer that monitors the outdoor
environment and climate in each greenhouse and chamber. The computer
measures light, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide.
Upgraded climate controlled greenhouses facilities also allow for
simulated cool/warm conditions specificially designed for climate
change and adaption research activities. Other study projects using
the greenhouses address research areas such as,
somatic embryogensis and biotechnology, to name just a few. Of course,
rearing seedings is an ongoing responsibility to ensure adequate
stock for many field and controlled laboratory research settings.
Even when research seedlings are placed outdoors, they are protected
from wind, excessive sunlight and frost by automated shade curtians
and irrigation systems. An exterior weather station monitors temperature,
wind speed and direction, light and percipitation, and the computer
then interprets the data to determine optimum operating conditions.
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