Report

Modelling the Future of Silviculture in Saskatchewan assess compliance with forest cover type transitions

Saskatchewan, like other western jurisdictions, has recently revisited the regeneration assessment standards for its forest industry. Alberta's Reforestation Standard and Manitoba's Forest Regeneration Survey Manual were both revised in 2010. While all three standards measure renewal success, they differ in how this is accomplished.

Tenure Reform

Following requests for comments and a series of forums across the province, the Ontario government has modified its original plans for tenure reform. In its original proposal, government had outlined a new governance model known as Local Forest Management Corporations (LFMC); government agencies that would replace current licensees in the management of all Crown forests, and oversee the competitive sale of the timber in a given area.

Will BC's Climate Change Policy be a Boom for Silviculture? ....the Jury's Out 

BC is going through interesting times in the world of climate change and forest carbon offsets. Three years ago our minister of forests trumpeted that silviculture would double and by 2012 and the increase would be funded by carbon credits. This interested some and bemused others at the WSCA 2008 annual conference. As of 2011 the bureaucratic bemusement has transformed into climate change initiatives that are bold, emerging and unproven.

Market Based Private Land Silviculture Funding Formula 

Last fall, the private land silviculture program in New Brunswick was reduced to $4 million from the previous season's $8 million. In addition to the funding cuts, the landowner share of the treatment costs was increased to 50%, up from the historical level of 20%. This alone would cause a major drop in silvicultural activities.

PEI Announces Forest Biomass Harvest Guidelines

Despite the recent economic troubles and the drop in global oil prices, interest is still high to develop the Island's biofuel potential. These energy sources are based on renewable natural resources such as wood and agricultural by-products and are used to heat residential, institutional, and industrial buildings.

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A Parliamentary Secretary for Silviculture: Stewarding Forests Gets Deserved Recognition

Forest Policy Implementation Update

Since releasing its new Forest Policy in late 2006, the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry has been working to implement the various recommendations and commitments.

Forestry Practices as Important as Wildfire Fighting

The way the BC forest sector is these days, the province's main export product this summer was likely smoke. According to US weather maps, on some days soot and particulate matter from our Interior wildfires crossed the Cordillera with the jet stream, travelling as far east as the Dakotas. On other days it drifted south to Oregon and then east up to Wyoming. And that was just what was visible.