Given Canada’s stronger focus on market diversification related to its abundant natural resources, the effort and investments made in sustainable Canadian forest management practices over the past half-century—led by research and development conducted across Canada by the Canadian Forest Service (CFS)—represent a strong foundation from which to seek new opportunities.

As we continue to transition toward managed natural forests, that research focus has been balanced to consider opportunities to enhance the commercial value of Canada’s vast forest resources, as well as the social and environmental values that this largely public resource provides to both Canadians and the global environment. And this proven, balanced, and sustainable approach to forest management could be the price of admission to certain key markets.

“Canadian forest species are extremely desirable internationally, and the Canadian forest is one of the major protectors of the air, water and land in the world,” says Derek Sidders, Program Co-ordinator and Advisor, Forest and Afforest Practices Technology Development at CFS.

“As we move forward, we can take advantage of what we have learned and the advanced practices that we have developed to advance our science and adopt novel concepts to adapt to evolving issues that will reduce risk, enhance product values, expand our forest, and grow faster fibre sources in new locations in close proximity to final users.”

Much of the forest science and technology development conducted and promoted by CFS has been in partnership with a variety of provincial, institutional, and industry collaborators across Canada, with the primary goals being enhanced forest development, conservation, and economic stability.

Now, a changing climate—which has significantly impacted wildfire vulnerability—has become another priority driving CFS R&D, with protection and security being a key element in the development of Canadian forest management practices.

Among the practical strategies being considered and technical development practices being shared with practitioners, regulators, and industry are site preparation, tree planting, seeding, and other regeneration practices—often in combination with pre-commercial thinning, mixed-species partial harvest systems, and commercial thinning of single-species stands for value and forest health enhancement. Technology development has also been directed toward the establishment of mixedwood stands and high-yield afforestation for value diversification, GHG emission reduction, forest health, and vulnerability reduction.

“The focus on eliminating the significant wildfire hazard as the climate changes in Canada and around the world is a major driver of both climate change initiatives like the federal Two Billion Tree Program—looking at addressing wildfire regeneration, afforestation and other natural disturbance reclamation reforestation—as well as regional protection of communities and infrastructure using FireSmart and other selective partial harvest systems to reduce fuel loading, risk, and sources of high flammability, as well as spread potential,” says Sidders.

Today’s harvest systems are now encountering first-generation managed natural forests, and as such, by taking advantage of many forest management practices often researched, developed, and disseminated by CFS and its partners through quality forest science, industry is able to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance commercial recovery, often through stand manipulation.

It has also become possible to recover multiple values such as renewable biomass for energy in concert with large-stem commercial softwood and hardwood species. This has contributed toward a wider variety of commercial options for this wood fibre, leveraging new technologies in the production of innovative value-added products such as glue-laminated timber (Glulam), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), cross-laminated timber (CLT), and other engineered wood products.

In combination with enhancing and diversifying commercial values, these management practices have also paid a dividend in enhanced natural values related to wildlife habitat, as well as air, water, and soil cleansing and protection, while also delivering both social and recreational value.

This balanced approach will serve Canada well as it seeks market diversification for its wood products going forward, says Sidders.

“Our research trials, field demonstrations, technical developments and large compendium of data will be incorporated into our designing and prescribing of forest practices, silviculture, and regeneration systems going forward, aimed at maximizing this resource for Canadians both socially and economically at the community level and in remote areas like Indigenous communities,” he adds.

For more information or to identify a forest practice issue of concern, contact Derek Sidders, Legacy Program Co-ordinator and Technology Advisor, Science Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization Division, Canadian Forest Service, at derek.sidders@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.