Louisiana Pacific announced strong earnings along with plans to restart its Peace Valley OSB mill in Fort St. John, BC. In related news: home construction in Canada’s suburbs fuelled a January housing-starts surge; US permits end 2020 on a strong note; while lumber prices defy the normal winter slowdown; and US builders seek gov’t support to ramp up lumber production. Meanwhile, BC’s Forest Professionals celebrate their 2021 award winners and FSC Canada endorses BC First Nations Forest Strategy.

In Forestry/Climate news: forests are carbon sinks and sources (World Economic Forum); our economic system needs to “value nature” (Trevor Hancock); creating the largest boreal protected region in the world (in Alberta); prescribed fires can save Arizona’s forests (Peter Aleshire); and to keep forests intact, and we must use them (Blake Hudson).

Finally, the hunt is on for centuries-old oaks to rebuild the spire of Notre Dame.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor