How Natural Resources Canada supports sustainable forest management

Forests in Canada are managed for diverse values through the principles of sustainable forest management (SFM). The federal government, in partnership with academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous communities and all orders of government, supports the continuous improvement of SFM through investments in forest data, research and programs. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has 7 national research programs, and several targeted initiatives led by the Canadian Forest Service (CFS). New knowledge, tools and partnerships are being developed to ensure Canada’s forests remain healthy and sustainable for present and future generations. Collaboration is key, as provinces, territories, industry and communities rely on alliances to carry out SFM practices. Collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, who have acted as stewards of the land and forests since time immemorial, utilizing Indigenous Knowledge and practices to maintain ecological balance and sustainability, is particularly important. The unique features and Indigenous perspectives within this stewardship approach can complement modern forest management strategies.

The selected programs and actions presented in the table below are a first step in reporting on the capacity of the federal government to support the environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects of SFM. Information about the legal and regulatory framework that governs and guides SFM in Canada will be provided in future State of Canada’s Forests reports.

NRCan—CFS programming supporting SFM. Note: Not all programming contributes directly to sustainability indicators and reporting through the State of Canada’s Forests annual report. Some federal programs and research develop new knowledge, tools and innovative practices to support SFM.

Program name and brief description Selected federal actions Associated indicator theme in the State of Canada’s Forests report

Enhancing SFM Practices

  • National data, reporting and forest ecosystem research to better understand forest ecosystems and inform SFM policies and practices.
  • Managing forests for sustainability requires increased understanding of Canada’s forests and how they are changing. Research on forest biodiversity and forest management is assessing the effectiveness of forest management practices for biodiversity outcomes, such as habitat for birds or species at risk. This knowledge is informing provincial and federal policies, and forest management practices to ensure sustainability.
  • Federal investments are enhancing wildfire resilience by improving forest fuel mapping across northern Canada for more accurate hazard and risk assessment.

How much forest does Canada have?

How are Canada’s forests harvested sustainably?

Enhancing Forest Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

  • Research and actions to support climate change adaptation in Canada’s forests and forest sector, as well as the contribution of forests to mitigating climate change.
  • The 2 Billion Trees program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to planting two billion additional trees over 10 years. The program funds organizations to plant trees, offering a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation and adaptation, while also enhancing biodiversity and benefiting the well-being of Canadians.
  • Carbon modelling under the National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System is advancing our understanding of forest carbon dynamics to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and inform sustainable forest carbon management.
  • In support of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, research is evaluating forest practices and scenarios to advance forest adaptation, support management of multiple forest values, including carbon, and ensure forests remain resilient to a changing climate. Assessing the impacts of climate change and how forests are changing provides a basis for future forest policy and management.
 How does disturbance shape Canada’s forests?

Enhancing Forest Pest Risk Management

  • Research on insects and diseases affecting Canada’s forests to manage risks to forest health and resilience.
  • Federal investments in science are helping forest management decision-makers understand, monitor, slow the spread and mitigate the negative impacts of native and invasive insects and diseases in Canada’s forests. NRCan provides continued scientific leadership to understand and mitigate the risks of forest pests to economic and ecological forest values. Federal science also contributes to phytosanitary standards and guidance to stop the global spread of forest diseases and pests.
  • The Spruce Budworm Early Intervention Strategy initiative (2022-2026) helps keep spruce budworm populations below an outbreak threshold and minimize tree damage and timber losses in Atlantic Canada’s spruce and fir forests.
 How does disturbance shape Canada’s forests?

Wildfire Risk Management

  • Fundamental and applied science to help governments, industries, communities and citizens adapt and live with wildfire impacts.
  • As part of the priorities identified by the National Adaptation Strategy, the Government of Canada launched the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative in 2023-24, investing $285M over five years. This initiative is designed to mobilize and bring together all orders of government, Indigenous Peoples, public and private sectors, academia and individuals to participate and coordinate efforts to effectively live safely within wildland fire- prone areas. These federal investments are helping transform how Canada manages wildland fire and inform SFM, recognizing that we need to take proactive steps to prepare for wildland fires and to reduce risks before they occur. Given that more than 70% of Indigenous communities are located on or near forested lands, this initiative advances reconciliation by creating resilient communities through FireSmart practices. Further, the initiative aims to build and mobilize fire knowledge, including Indigenous fire knowledge, contributing to NRCan’s commitment to building nation-to-nation relationships.
 How does disturbance shape Canada’s forests?

Addressing Cumulative Effects of Natural Resource Development

  • Research to improve the environmental performance of Canada’s renewable and non-renewable natural resource sectors by developing knowledge, data, tools and capacity to manage the combined effects of natural processes (such as wildland fires) and resource development activities occurring in Canada’s forests over the long-term.
  • Federal research is developing knowledge, data and tools regarding cumulative effects to support implementation of the Impact Assessment Act (2019). Better understanding of cumulative effects in Canada’s forests enables better land management for multiple values and products, such as biodiversity and natural resource products (e.g., timber, oil and gas). NRCan’s research is showcased in this Cumulative Effects Research Story Map.
  • This program continues to develop science and expertise for woodland caribou habitat protection and conservation. Work includes developing tools to better assess, adapt and mitigate the impacts of cumulative effects on forest habitat for caribou while supporting and complementing Environment and Climate Change Canada’s wildlife programming. Habitat restoration tools can help optimize habitat recovery and resiliency. Caribou research outcomes are available on the Canadian Conservation and Land Management Portal page—a forum for sharing information and lessons learned about conservation, wetland best practices, land restoration and land reclamation.

Developing Sustainable Fibre Solutions

  • Research reduces the risk to the forest fibre supply in Canada and increases the resiliency of our forests to the impacts of climate change.
  • As part of the international research program Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change, researchers at the Petawawa Research Forest are evaluating forest management options that will enable forests to thrive in the future, by determining the most effective silvicultural treatments to increase tree diversity and improve regeneration in a changing climate.
  • Securing our wood fibre supply also includes digitizing the forest value chain and developing innovative tools and technologies, including the use of “big data” and artificial intelligence. This work provides an increasingly accurate and comprehensive inventory of our forest resources by gathering, sending and sharing information digitally and filling information gaps.
 How are Canada’s forests harvested sustainably?

Strengthening Forest Sector Competitiveness

  • Based on economic research, analysis and advice, this program advances policies and programs that support the development of new forest products, foster a culture of innovation and leverage Canada’s international leadership to facilitate the transformation of Canada’s forest sector.
  • The Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) advances reconciliation by supporting Indigenous-identified and Indigenous-led priorities to accelerate Indigenous awareness, influence, inclusion and leadership. The IFI continues to evolve to better align with Indigenous priorities. The program’s new grants stream has the potential to directly increase Indigenous participation and influence in forest management planning and SFM policy discussions.
  • The Forest Innovation program (FIP) supports research and development, provides technology transfer funding for the forest sector and aims to improve its sustainability and economic productivity.
  • The Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program is an example of how the Government of Canada facilitates the adoption of transformative and innovative technologies and products, such as next generation building products, advanced biomaterials, biochemicals and biofuels.
  • The Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects to decarbonize the built environment. This includes mass timber, modular and pre-fabrication techniques and approaches, to enable lower carbon, faster and more versatile construction. This program advances reconciliation by creating increased market opportunities, job opportunities and more affordable housing for Indigenous communities.

How do forests benefit Canadians?

How does the forest sector contribute to Canada’s economy?

How is the forest sector changing?

Sources and information

 
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