Sustainability
The Boreal Forest
Canada’s boreal forest is central to the country’s natural environment, history, culture and economy. Canada respects and looks after its boreal forest in many ways, including by setting aside legally protected areas, conducting scientific research and monitoring the state of the forests. Canada’s laws protect the boreal forest and ensure its sustainability About 94% of Canada’s forests are on publicly owned land, which enables the government to regulate harvesting practices and apply land-use planning through legislation and other policies. Sustainable forest management ensures that Canada’s forests are healthy, safe and thriving. It is a way of managing forests with the goal of balancing the environmental, social and economic benefits they provide over time. Parks and protected areas maintain boreal forest landscapes, safeguard their biodiversity and provide key information for scientific research. Harvesting in Canada’s boreal and other forests is done sustainably Many harvesting practices in the boreal forest now imitate natural disturbances. These practices, which are based on scientific research, are meant to better mimic the effect of natural forces – such as fire and insect outbreaks – that help the forest renew itself. Such harvesting practices also address other forest management goals. Provincial laws require that all areas harvested on public land be either replanted or allowed to naturally grow back to set standards. Canada’s boreal forest (270 million hectares) stores carbon, purifies the air and water, and regulates the climate. Because a large portion of the world’s boreal zone lies in Canada (28% or 552 million hectares), this country’s boreal forest affects the health of the environment worldwide. Careful management of these forests therefore benefits both Canada and the world. Canada’s boreal forest creates jobs for Canadians, and communities in the boreal zone rely heavily on the forest sector for economic stability. Source: Government of Canada NRCAN |