Forestry Industry Takes Step Towards Boreal Conservation

FPAC announced today that it is committing $1 million in total project funding over five years, in addition to resources-in-kind, to further boreal ecosystem conservation. The projects announced today involve research and conservation activities led by World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Additional projects will be subsequently announced and will be chosen to promote strong boreal conservation practices and greater understanding of this complex set of ecosystems.

“The health and sustainability of Canada’s forests are critical to our member companies, so we’re proud to be part of what we hope will be a long-term, collaborative approach to conservation of the boreal forest,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC. “Today’s announcements are the first of what I hope will be many concrete steps to put our vision into practice.”

“We welcome this opportunity to enter into a broader dialogue with the forest industry on sustainable land and resource management,” said CBI Director Cathy Wilkinson “Lasting conservation solutions will require many different kinds of initiatives. The CBI is committed to working with a wide range of other key stakeholders in efforts to advance boreal conservation on the ground,” she added.

The projects announced today will advance Canada’s understanding of the complex ecosystems of the vast boreal region and help answer critical questions about how best to conserve it. FPAC’s support to WWF will enable standardization of computer-based mapping tools for assessing gaps in Canada’s protected areas network and a toolkit to identify forests of high conservation value, for use by all decision-makers in the boreal region.

“WWF, especially our forest conservation team led by Steven Price, is encouraged that the forest industry is committing to identify, protect and manage important forests, and to really improve its practices in the managed forest,” said Monte Hummel, President of WWF-Canada. “This is exactly what Canada’s forests need if they are to endure.

FPAC’s work with DUC will support research to develop better ways of conserving watershed areas within the boreal forest region. It is intended to improve management practices around water and wetlands, and aid in other aspects of forest management planning.

“This is a significant endorsement of the paradigm shift toward conservation that is currently underway in Canada’s boreal forest,” said Gary Stewart, director of conservation programs for DUC’s boreal program. ” One third of this great forest is covered by wetlands and water sources. Our concern is that the management practices around these areas lack the science foundation necessary to ensure the sustainability and health of the forest. DUC’s working agreement with FPAC represents the beginning of bridging that gap. We are very pleased that FPAC and its membership are taking proactive steps to advance sustainable development through the tools of science.”

The Forest Products Association of Canada is the national public policy voice for the forest products industry. FPAC member companies are responsible for the management of about 70 per cent of Canada’s working forest.

Based in Ottawa, the Canadian Boreal Initiative works independently with all sectors to promote conservation and sustainable development in Canada’s boreal region.