Merry Christmas, Hoppy Holidays and all the best for 2026! Barring breaking news, your favourite frogs will be back on January 5, 2026, with a full wrap-up of forestry news. Until then, have a wonderful holiday and enjoy Sandy’s Yule Tide Fly Stew poem! 

In Today’s news: BC’s Forest Minister remains optimistic despite mill closures; GreenFirst extends its holiday curtailment; and China’s Huatai Group expands its pulp and paper footprint. Meanwhile: BC Wood’s CEO Brian Hawrysh is stepping down after two decades; and the USDA announced 2026 appointments to the Softwood Lumber Board.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: has Canada’s Mark Carney reneged on promised new parks; Ontario old growth said to be at risk in Algonquin Park; a US lawsuit seeks protection for California’s spotted owls; Utah has a new high-risk wildfire map; and Florida’s dry winter means higher wildfire risks.

Finally, Ireland’s Noah’s Ark for plants – a vault for renewal after ecological disasters.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor