Region Archives: Canada East

Funding is now available to assist with clearing Fiona-felled trees on essential forest access roads and on small woodlots that may pose a fire risk to nearby urban areas and infrastructure. The Hurricane Fiona Forestry Recovery Program is open to small forestry businesses and woodlot owners who were not eligible for assistance under previous programs. The program is supported by investments by $125,000 from the Government of Prince Edward Island and a $975,000 investment from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, through the Government of Canada’s Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund. Financial assistance is available for small woodlot owners (1 – 2.5 acres) where land is excluded from the Forest Enhancement Program, but where land intersects with urban and wildland areas and may pose a fire risk. Financial assistance is also available for land where the forestry road is deemed necessary for sustainable forest management and fire suppression…

HALIFAX, NS – Protecting and conserving habitat and species calls for transformative change and innovation across all sectors—it requires collaboration with Indigenous peoples, all governments, industry, and community stakeholders. To this end, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are working together to protect and conserve biodiversity, habitat, and species at risk in Nova Scotia. …The Government of Canada will invest up to $28.5 million over three years to implement the Canada–Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to advance nature conservation and protection across the province. This will support the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia’s leadership in conservation, increase protection of sensitive habitats and recovery actions for species at risk and migratory birds, and protect and conserve new Crown and private land in Nova Scotia. With the support of this Agreement, Nova Scotia aims to increase the amount of protected and conserved areas within the province by 82,500 hectares by March 2026.

Canada’s boreal forests were devastated by record wildfires this year. “Normally, we would see traces everywhere,” says hunter Paul Wabanonik, Ashinabe tribesman. But “it’s like a desert,” he says as he leads AFP journalists along a forest trail. …With no forest canopy, there is nothing left to hunt in order to feed Wabanonik and his family, and there’s little chance of wildlife returning any time soon, he laments. …the Canadian boreal forest has been devastated by this year’s record wildfire season, with more than 18 million hectares burned …Annie Langlois, a biologist for the Canadian Wildlife Federation notes that certain species can quickly become trapped, because they do not have the capacity to fly or run fast enough and over long distances in the face of very intense and rapidly advancing fires. …The return of animals to burned areas will vary from one species to another. For some, it could take years.

BARRIE, Ontario — Forests Ontario announced a new partnership with Resorts of Ontario aimed at advancing environmental sustainability and forest conservation within Resorts of Ontario’s member resorts and tourism communities across the province. “Resorts of Ontario is thrilled to partner with Forests Ontario to promote responsible and sustainable practices within our industry, and restoration in general within the province,” Kerri King, Executive Director of Resorts of Ontario, says. …Over the coming months, the two organizations will develop opportunities to amplify their impact on forest conservation and sustainable tourism through joint awareness campaigns, events, and tree planting and restoration projects for resort visitors and local residents alike. …”We are thrilled to be working with Resorts of Ontario to enhance our urban and rural tree cover,” Jess Kaknevicius, CEO of Forests Ontario, says. 

Bachelorette alumni, Bachelor in Paradise star, and noted conservationist teamed up with the David Suzuki Foundation and the National Resources Defense Council to address concerns over the loss of vital caribou habitat in northwestern Ontario. The David Suzuki Foundation said the native Hamiltonian has a background in anti-poaching and animal conservation efforts. …”The Ontario government wants us to believe a logging site simply mimics the impacts of a wildfire, but fires don’t leave lasting impacts on animal movements in the form of industrial roads,” Moynes said in a statement. His partnership with these conservation and environmental groups resulted in a trip to visit volunteers from Friends of the Wabakimi, a night at Wabakimi Wilderness Lodge, and a float plane excursion over a stretch of boreal forest “getting a bird’s eye view of forest degradation.” His trip to the northwest is being highlight through a series of Instagram posts, the first coming out September 29.

In 2021, Nova Scotia committed to protecting 20 per cent of our land and water by 2030. This is a moderate and necessary contribution to the global effort. With 13 per cent of Nova Scotia already protected and one per cent in the works, we need to add another six per cent to meet our target. In terms of our landmass, this means protecting another 330,000 hectares, or about 18 per cent of existing Crown land. In the two years since Nova Scotia’s commitment was put into law, less than one per cent has been added to protected areas. Meanwhile, Crown lands that should be protected have been chopped up by forestry and other industrial activities. …We need to provide interim protection to ecologically valuable Crown land now. One practical way to do this is to pause all logging, development and industrial activities in old forests on Crown land.

For more than six months a year, Quebec’s boreal forest is covered in a thick blanket of snow. … The major floods of spring 2023 in the Charlevoix region show why the snow cover poses a risk. …The structure of the snow cover influences the risk of flooding. But what effect do forests have on snow structure? By intercepting part of the precipitation in its solid form (snow), trees limit the accumulation of snow on the ground. That, in turn, contributes to the growth of snow grains and pores on the ground through upward water vapour flux. In addition, the discharge of snow intercepted by trees in solid or liquid form increases the heterogeneity of the snow cover. These processes promote rapid water flow in the snow cover that forms beneath the trees.

TORONTO – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) is planting 300 trees as a part of its participation in the National Mini Forest Pilot — an initiative of the Network of Nature led by Green Communities Canada and Canadian Geographic supporting communities across the country that want to enhance their urban forests in a period of climate change. The event will take place on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 in Toronto ON. The mini forest will be planted together with participation from The Pocket Community Association (PCA), local residents of The Pocket, broader City of Toronto residents, and local stakeholders. This 100 m2 site will see the installation of 300 native trees and shrubs, benefiting the Pocket SNAP neighbourhood and helping to build local climate resilience.

A northwestern Ontario advocate for the forestry industry has been recognized for her work by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC).  Wendy Landry, the mayor of Shuniah and president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association (NOMA), has received FPAC’s Jim Carr Forest Community Champion Award.  This is the inaugural year for the award, which recognizes individuals who have showcased exceptional dedication to their communities and have contributed to advancing the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the forest sector in Canada.  It’s named for Jim Carr, a champion of the Canadian forestry industry, who served as Canada’s Natural Resources Minister from 2015 to 2018.  …Ian Dunn, president and CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA), said there is “no one more deserving” of the award than Landry, whose work he called a “source of inspiration.”

Some provincial governments maintain official fall foliage maps that help pinpoint the best spots to see the changing leaves while they’re looking their best and brightest. However, scientists say shifting or intensifying weather conditions brought about by climate change could increasingly alter when this colour show begins each year, how long it lasts and how brilliant it is. “Climate change has different impacts in different areas of Canada and globally,” said Ingo Ensminger, a professor of plant physiology at the University of Toronto. “There’s this idea that the climate is just warming, it’s getting hotter and drier, but what we have instead is actually a mosaic of events that will change. It’s not just black or white.” There’s a lot of chemistry behind the phenomenon that gives fall its name, and the chemical processes that cause the leaves on deciduous trees to turn.

Cree leaders in Quebec have launched an extensive process of damage evaluation and created what they are calling a “Cree cabin damage registry,” to help them document and respond to this summer’s “catastrophic” wildfires, some of which are still burning. Close to four million hectares of forest burned this summer in the northern region of Quebec, much of it in Cree territory, or a part of the province known as Jamésie, according to SOPFEU, the provincial fire prevention agency. The fires prompted several evacuations in different Cree communities and led to “unprecedented” losses of hunting cabins and cultural infrastructure across a vast territory that’s roughly the size of France. “I think that this is a very, very large undertaking for the Cree Nation Government because the territory is huge,” said Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty of the Cree Nation.

OTTAWA, ON – On September 20, over 1,500 volunteers will join Tree Canada and BMO employees to celebrate National Tree Day in 17 communities across every province. This is the largest National Tree Day celebration to date, with most Tree Canada hosted events currently sold out, and over 50 celebrations registered by local groups, schools, and workplaces in communities from coast to coast. Tree Canada and BMO are working together for the second year in a row to increase community well-being and take action on climate change by planting native trees and shrubs in local parks and green spaces. …BMO is donating $350,000 over two years in support of National Tree Day and Tree Canada’s mission to inspire, educate and enable Canadians to plant and nurture trees to improve lives and address climate change. Thanks to BMO’s support, more volunteers will plant trees in more communities than on any previous National Tree Day.

Rick Doucett says the private woodlot sector in New Brunswick is on the verge of economic collapse, a troubling situation that the province’s new forest strategy fails to address. The president of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners says if the Progressive Conservative government keeps favouring big wood-cutting companies that use public land to make large profits, the province’s 400 or so private woodlot owners will simply give up and sell off their land any way they can. “It’s been a broken system for 30 years now,” he said. …The woodlots, which make up nearly one-third of New Brunswick’s forests, operate in the same timber market and are deeply affected by the wood taken by big firms such as J.D. Irving, AV Group, and Twin Rivers. …He says a private woodlot owner gets about $80 for a cord of pulpwood these days, when 30 years ago it was closer to $100 a cord.

National Forest Week is being celebrated this year from September 17 – 22, and the Provincial Government is encouraging residents and families to get outside and explore Newfoundland and Labrador’s vast and beautiful forests. Provincial Government department officials will be visiting schools to talk about topics such as wildfire prevention, wildlife control and the effects of climate change. …The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the vital role reforestation plays in sustainable forest management. Through Budget 2023, $3.9 million has been allocated to plant more than 6 million trees in the province; approximately $5.8 million in additional funding has been provided to support fire suppression in our forests; and a further $5 million is being invested in protecting forests from spruce budworm.

Sarah Elmeligi, Alberta NDP Banff-Kananaskis MLA and Critic for Tourism, Sports and Recreation wants the provincial government to pump the brakes on clear-cut logging in West Bragg Creek, Highwood Pass and Horse Lake/Aura Sand Hills in the Ghost. Elmeligi said although logging in these areas is currently legal under the Forestry Management Agreement, the region, its use and its draw for outdoor enthusiasts has evolved dramatically in recent years, and since the situation has changed, more consultation is needed before Spray Lake Sawmills goes ahead with plans to start logging this winter. “I believe the government must immediately consult with all affected communities, and reconsider whether logging is really the best use of these three wooded areas,” she said in a statement released this week.

SCARBOROUGH, ON – Planting two billion trees over a decade is a crucial part of Canada’s climate plan, and the Government of Canada is continuing to work with provinces, territories, non-governmental organizations, local communities and Indigenous Peoples. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Friends of the Rouge Watershed announced a joint investment of more than $1.1 million to plant 31,500 native trees in the Greater Toronto Area. Through this project, the Friends of the Rouge Watershed will involve youth and community volunteers by educating and motivating 6,000 volunteers in forest restoration while improving the local habitat.

BRAMPTON, Ontario — DATA Communications Management Corp. (DCM), a leading provider of marketing and business communication solutions to companies across North America, today announced it has surpassed a new milestone in its sustainability efforts: the planting of one million trees worldwide through its partnership with PrintReleaf. The PrintReleaf partnership, initiated in the fall of 2021, enables DCM to measure its paper consumption in real time via a patented software platform that calculates how many trees were harvested to produce that paper. Based on this calculation, PrintReleaf replants the equivalent number of trees in responsibly managed reforestation projects around the world designated for restoration and conservation.

The winner of the provincial 2023 Woodland Owner of the Year Award is Beau Blois of Old Barns, Colchester County. Mr. Blois, an emergency room physician, maintains a 1,226-hectare property with his wife Laura and their children. Their woodlot is Forest Stewardship Council certified and provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants. Their property also includes a black Angus beef farm and trails for outdoor recreation. “Private woodlot owners play an important role in maintaining our forests, and it’s wonderful to have so many working with us to advance ecological forestry in Nova Scotia,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. The western regional winners are James and Linda Smith of Shelburne County, and the eastern regional winners are Stephen and Michelle Van de Weil of Antigonish County.