Blog Archives

Today’s Takeaway

USMCA negotiations in flux as Canada–US trade tensions resurface

Tree Frog Forestry News
April 22, 2026
Category: Today's Takeaway

USMCA negotiations are in flux as Canada–US trade tensions resurface. In related news: Prime Minister Carney strikes advisory council to steer Canada–US economic strategy: FPAC welcomes forest sector representation with Canfor’s Susan Yurkvich and Domtar’s Luc Thériault; Washington reportedly seeks ‘entry fee’ before entering trade talks; and Premier Holt warns of volatility and softwood lumber risks. Meanwhile: a fire at JD Irving Tissue plant in New Brunswick; container prices rise in April; and three global perspectives open International Pulp Week May 10-12 in Vancouver.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: new research says shifting weather cycles are fueling North America’s wildfire surge; another perspective on Nova Scotia’s forest ban ruling; wildland firefighters issue letter to Congress opposing repeal of ‘Roadless Rule’; and Idaho Forest Service employees may be affected by agency restructure. Meanwhile: Drax’s renewed pellet-shipping contract will reduce GHGs; and researchers model the impact of EU Deforestation Regulations on wood pellet production.

Finally, its Earth Day 2026 — with 10,000 plus events, you can find an event near you!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

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Carney reboots Canada–US advisory council ahead of CUSMA review

The Tree Frog Forestry News
April 21, 2026
Category: Today's Takeaway

Prime Minister Carney relaunched Canada’s advisory council on US relations ahead of upcoming CUSMA review. In related news: the US begins its tariff refund program, but consumers are unlikely to benefit; Ottawa launches inquiry into imported wood products; BC Premier Eby backs reset on DRIPA with First Nations; and Virginia’s governor creates a Wood Council to grow forestry industry. Meanwhile: Rayonier’s CEO resigns as company weighs sale; Castlegar grants Mercer a tax extension; and Nanaimo Forest Products’ rezoning proposal draws near-record crowds.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: the Forest Enhancement Society of BC marks its 10th anniversary; Edmonton released a new wildfire risk strategy; Nk’Mip Forestry leads SFI-supported wildfire recovery project; New Hampshire says drought conditions are statewide; ENGOs oppose logging in Michigan; and a study on the decline of Oregon’s Douglas fir trees. Meanwhile: the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s Sept conference; and early notice of BC Wood’s Global Buyers Mission.

Finally, a Fraser Institute report says Canada’s air quality is the cleanest it’s been in 50 yrs.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

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Canada rethinks US reliance as it pushes for broader trade deal

The Tree Frog Forestry News
April 20, 2026
Category: Today's Takeaway

Canada is pushing for a broader US trade deal to resolve long-standing disputes, as Prime Minister Carney rethinks reliance on the US. In related news: Canada’s inflation rates ticks-up to 2.4%; laid off workers at Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products worry about their future; JD Irving benefits from University of New Brunswick student projects; and DWB Consulting and Chartwell Resource Group rebrand as Kintera.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: a Nova Scotia judge rules against province-wide ban on entering forests — as the province seeks to add value to its fibre; ENGOs say Finland is no longer a model for Quebec forestry; a judge refuses to block Oregon timber sales; US Forest Service research station closures stoke fear as the wildfire season approaches; and a UK study says burning wood for power is worse for the climate

Finally, a look back at Hurricane Hugo’s billion-dollar 1990 toll on the US timber industry.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

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Business & Politics

Prime Minister Carney announces new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations

Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
April 21, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

Canada’s new government is forging a new economic and security relationship with the United States. Prime Minister Carney has secured the best deal of any major U.S. trading partner – 85% of our trade with the United States remains tariff-free, the lowest average tariff rate in the world. As Canada approaches the Joint Review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), our aim is to preserve that unique Canadian advantage and to build on it. To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced the creation of the new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations. The committee will serve as a forum for expertise and strategy on all aspects of the Canada-U.S. economic relationship. The Advisory Committee will include leaders from major sectors of the Canadian economy, representing extensive experience in business, investment, trade, and labour. It will be chaired by the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, Dominic LeBlanc.

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Federal pause on gasoline, diesel tax takes effect today, after Iran fuel price spike

The Canadian Press in Victoria Times Colonist
April 20, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s temporary suspension of some fuel taxes kicks in today, with Canadians likely to save 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline, and four cents on a litre of diesel. Prime Minister Mark Carney had announced last week a pause on those fuel excise taxes up until Labour Day. The Liberals say this is a prudent way to tame prices at the pumps, at a cost of roughly $2.4 billion. The Conservatives argue this isn’t enough to meet rising energy costs, calling for the pause to extend to the end of the year, as well as an end to clean-fuel standards and the industrial carbon tax. U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to wage a war against Iran alongside Israel has sent global energy costs surging, with Tehran and later Washington constraining certain shipments in the Strait of Hormuz.

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From geopolitics to specialty markets: three global perspectives to open International Pulp Week

International Pulp Week
April 22, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West

Geopolitics, macroeconomics, and specialty markets take centre stage as three global experts open International Pulp Week, taking place May 10–12, 2026 in Vancouver at the Sutton Place Hotel.British Columbia’s Kevin Mason returns to the IPW stage with his annual address, this year examining how the end of Pax Americana, shifting trade dynamics, and the evolving role of China are reshaping fibre flows, costs, and global competitiveness. He’s followed by Joaquín Kritz-Lara, who explores a global economy in recovery—highlighting how tariffs, currency movements, and commodity trends are influencing pulp markets heading into 2026. Rounding out the session, Christian Chavassieu dives into specialty cellulose, unpacking demand, capacity, and pricing across key segments. Together, the presentations offer a top-down view of the forces shaping the sector—connecting global uncertainty to real-world market outcomes for producers and buyers alike.

Kevin Mason

Joaquín Kritz-Lara

Christian Chavassieu

 

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Castlegar grants Mercer Celgar six-month tax extension

By Greg Nesteroff
My Kootenay Now
April 21, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West

The City of Castlegar will give its biggest employer an extra six months to pay its property taxes, as Mercer International faces what it describes as an “exceptionally challenging period.” In a letter to the city this month, senior vice-president Bill Adams formally requested a deferral of municipal taxes for the Celgar pulp mill. Adams said the BC forestry sector is up against a “myriad of external and domestic pressures that have severely impacted our overall liquidity.” “Globally, the pulp market has suffered from prolonged weakness driven by volatile markets, overseas overcapacity, and historically low list prices,” he wrote. “Domestically, the situation is compounded by escalating trade disputes, including crushing U.S. tariffs, which have crippled the broader BC lumber market.” As a result, BC has seen a “devastating wave” of sawmill closures. Because the local pulp mill relies on residual wood chips from those sawmills, Adams said their access to fibre has been “drastically limited.”

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Introducing Kintera: A New Chapter for DWB and Chartwell

By Nick Reinhardt
Kintera
April 20, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West

Vancouver, BC — DWB Consulting Services Ltd. and Chartwell Resource Group Ltd. today announced they are moving forward under a new unified name: Kintera. This rebrand marks a significant milestone in the merger of the two firms, reflecting their shared vision and the next step in their evolution as a single, integrated organization. For decades, DWB and Chartwell have built strong reputations in British Columbia’s natural resource sector—known for making complex challenges understandable and delivering practical, meaningful solutions. Since merging in August 2025, the combined organization has continued to build on that foundation, strengthening its technical capabilities and expanding its service offering. The transition to Kintera reinforces this momentum, positioning the company to deliver enhanced expertise, greater capacity, and increased value to clients across the sectors it serves. Clients can expect the same high level of service, responsiveness, and trusted relationships that have defined both organizations.

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United Steelworkers welcome 147 new members following a strong organizing win at Weyerhaeuser in Kenora

United Steelworkers
April 17, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada East

Kenora, Ont. – The United Steelworkers (USW) are proud to welcome 147 new members following a strong organizing victory at Weyerhaeuser in Kenora, Ont. Workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the union with 97% support. This is a clear demonstration of their desire for a stronger voice at work and a more secure future. “This result speaks volumes,” said Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 Director. “Workers at Weyerhaeuser came together with shared goals – to improve their working conditions, strengthen their rights and build a better future. We are proud to stand with them as they begin this next chapter.” The organizing campaign was driven by workers coming together and building support across the workplace. …This victory reflects a growing trend of workers across the forestry sector choosing to unionize and strengthen their collective voice on the job.

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Wood, Paper & Green Building

Wood Connections April Newsletter

The BC Wood Specialties Group
April 21, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada West

BC Wood’s latest update highlights a busy season of market development, industry change, and future opportunity. The 23rd Annual Global Buyers Mission returns to Whistler this September, promising enhanced programming and valuable connections between international buyers and BC manufacturers. At the same time, the Province is moving to strengthen fibre access through legislative changes aimed at supporting jobs, improving timber flow, and deepening partnerships with First Nations. Internally, BC Wood is entering a new chapter with the search for a CEO to succeed long-time leader Brian Hawrysh, positioning the association to guide members through evolving markets. On the ground, member innovation is on display with companies like CureWood, while BC Wood continues to promote the sector globally—participating in major events across Europe, China, and North America to expand opportunities for value-added wood products.

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Low-energy path to bioplastics emerges from discarded wood

By Lee Kyung-min
The Korea Times
April 21, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International

Korean researchers have discovered a way to transform forest debris into a key ingredient for high-performance plastics, a development that could significantly reduce the environmental toll of the packaging and automotive industries. By using a new, low-energy method to process discarded wood, scientists at the National Institute of Forest Science achieved an efficiency rate of 99 percent in creating a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemicals. The process, which operates at room temperature using light and electricity, offers a potential blueprint for a green manufacturing sector that relies on trees rather than fossil fuels. The process centers on converting hydroxymethylfurfural — a compound derived from wood under high temperature and pressure — into FDCA, or furandicarboxylic acid, a key building block for next-generation bioplastics. Traditionally, that transformation requires substantial energy input and harsh chemical conditions. The Korean team, however, used a photoelectrochemical catalyst, powered by a combination of light and low-voltage electricity, to drive the reaction at room temperature.

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Forestry

The Forest Quietly Removed from BC’s Old-Growth Deferral List

By Sarah Cox
The Tyee
April 22, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

A new old-growth logging controversy is unfolding in British Columbia, dividing Indigenous leaders and pitting the provincial government against scientists and conservation groups. The Tsitika River watershed …was deemed to be at such high risk of biodiversity loss that the B.C. government placed it in an old-growth deferral area, off limits to logging. But last year, the government quietly removed a large tract of the forest from its old-growth deferral list. And then in March, the government agency BC Timber Sales auctioned off 24 hectares for clearcutting. …The B.C. Forests Ministry told The Tyee it approved the Tsitika cutblock following consultation with Tlowitsis Nation, We Wai Kai Nation, Wei Wai Kum First Nation and Kwakiutl First Nation, “on whose territory this cutblock overlaps.” But other Indigenous leaders, including Ma’a̱mtagila Hereditary Chief Rande Cook, whose ancestors stewarded the Tsitika area, strongly object to logging.

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Nk’Mip Forestry Leads SFI-Supported Wildfire Recovery Project

Nk’Mip Forestry
April 21, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Oliver, BC — Nk’Mip Forestry, the professional forestry branch of the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), is leading a wildfire restoration project within the OIB traditional territory following the 2021 Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. The work, which will include forest recovery, wildfire risk mitigation, and community involvement, is supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Climate-Smart Forestry grant, administered by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). This project reflects a long-term approach to caring for the land by bringing back diversity to the forest and supporting a healthier landscape over time.

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Creston Community Forest Featured in Film Highlighting Wildfire Resilience and Local Forest Management

BC Community Forest Association
April 21, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Creston, BC — The Creston Community Forest (CCF) is featured in a new film as part of a province-wide project led by the BC Community Forest Association, showcasing the work and impact of community forests across British Columbia. The film highlights how the CCF is managing its forests to support local priorities, including wildfire risk reduction, recreation, and long-term sustainability. “We’re excited to share this film as a way to show the work that happens on the ground and what this community forest means to the community of Creston,” said Daniel Gratton, Registered Professional Forester and Forest Manager at the CCF. Unlike traditional forestry models focused primarily on timber, the CCF has been taking a broader approach. Its work reflects the needs and values of the residents first, balancing ecological health, economic activity, and public use of the land.

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A Decade of Impact and Reasons for a Hopeful Future in Forestry

Forest Enhancement Society of BC
April 21, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Doug Donaldson

A special feature interview with Doug Donaldson, former Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. As the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) marks its 10th anniversary, it is a chance to look back on a decade of investments and work that has quietly but meaningfully contributed to the health and resiliency of forests and communities throughout British Columbia (B.C). Established in 2016, FESBC emerged at a time when B.C.’s forests were facing growing pressures from the risk of catastrophic wildfires and the mountain pine beetle epidemic to ever changing economic conditions in the forestry sector and growing concerns specific to climate change. For Doug Donaldson, who served as Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Forests) for a few years shortly after FESBC’s creation, the Society quickly proved its value in ways that were not initially expected.

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Fort Nelson wildfire technician wins award at 2026 BC Wildland Firefighter Award

By Ruth Prarthana and Stephen Albert
Energetic City
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Rena Dehne

FORT NELSON, B.C. — A wildfire technician from the Fort Nelson fire zone has won an award at the recent BC Wildland Firefighter Award. Rena Dehne, a wildfire technician for BC Wildfire Service, was given the Vanguard Award at the recent 2026 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit that was held from April 8th to April 12th. As a wildfire technician, Dehne’s job supports both wildfire response and fire management within her respective zone, including contributing to fire preparedness and prevention work. According to Dehen, the Vanguard Award is a “specific honor” within the BC Wildland Firefighters Award “This award recognizes an early career wildland firefighter with 10 years or less of experience who demonstrates excellence, dedication and leadership within their role,” Dehne explained. Dehne was humbled and surprised when she won this award.

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Edmonton releases Wildfire Risk Strategy

City News Everywhere Edomonton
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

©CityofEdmonton

The City of Edmonton has released its Wildfire Risk Strategy, as Canada has seen an increase in wildfires over the last few years. The City says it is developing a roadmap for a coordinated approach to protecting people, property, and natural areas. “This strategy flows from our commitment to building a resilient city where we are aware of the risks associated with climate change, including wildfires, and protect our ecosystems and communities through proactive planning,” said Kent Snyder, Branch Manager of Planning and Environment Services. …Through the strategy, the City will look to minimize ignition risk through vegetation management and updated development regulations, increase community awareness and support initiatives such as the FireSmart™ Neighbourhood Recognition Program, strengthen integrated emergency response and specialized wildfire training across City departments, and Collaborate with regional partners and Indigenous communities to build landscape-level resilience.

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Coquitlam’s urban forest strategy falls short

By Co-chairs of the Tri-Cities Urban Forest Working Group
Freshet News
April 19, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

After more than three years of community engagement, expert input and advisory committee work, residents in Coquitlam are left asking a simple question: Why is the city choosing not to include the very measures needed to make its Urban Forest Management Strategy succeed? The draft strategy presents a strong vision and highlights planting programs, volunteerism and monitoring. These are positive steps. But they are not enough. What is missing are the core elements that actually determine whether our urban forest survives and thrives over time. There are no measurable canopy targets to tell us whether we are gaining or losing tree cover. There is no clear alignment with the bylaws that regulate tree removal and development. There is no defined pathway to update the Tree Management Bylaw, which has not been meaningfully revised since 2010. …That is not a plan. It is a deferral. And deferral has consequences.

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General registration is now open for the 2026 BC First Nations Forestry Conference!

BC First Nations Forestry Council
April 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Join First Nations leaders, industry, and government partners in kiʔláwnaʔ (nsyilxcən) | Kelowna, BC for three days focused on what matters, building relationships, aligning priorities, and advancing the future of forestry in British Columbia. This event sells out every year, and spots are going fast. Be in the room where conversations turn into action, and partnerships move real work forward on the ground. Enhance your experience with the VIP Winemakers Dinner (limited spots), Golf Tournament, and Cultural Land Tour. Sponsorship opportunities remain open for organizations ready to step forward, showing leadership in reconciliation and backing Nation-led forestry through visible, accountable action.

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BC First Nations Forestry Council is hiring!

By BC First Nations Forestry Council
LinkedIn
April 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

We’re hiring. The BC First Nations Forestry Council is growing, and we’re looking for passionate, driven individuals to join our team. We a non-profit organization which supports and provides services to First Nations in their efforts to increase their participation and leadership within British Columbia’s Forest sector. Through engagement, collaboration, and respect for past laws and protocols, we strive to unite diverse groups, fostering a future where First Nations play a central role in shaping the sustainable management of our forests for generations to come. Current opportunities include: Assistant, Policy; Assistant, Workforce; Coordinator, Communications; and Advisor, Policy. These roles support meaningful, on-the-ground work advancing First Nations leadership, participation, and stewardship in BC’s forest sector. Work in Nanaimo or remote within BC. Please note: select positions are open only to applicants aged 15-30, in accordance with program funding criteria. Come be part of work that’s grounded in relationships, community, and real impact.

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Wet and mild winter is ‘good news’ for B.C. wildfire season, says forecaster

The Canadian Press in Energetic City
April 16, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Matt MacDonald

VICTORIA — Matt MacDonald, the lead forecaster for the BC Wildfire Service said a relatively wet and mild winter across much of British Columbia is “really good news” for the upcoming wildfire season. MacDonald said a lack of frost meant trees and soil were able to soak up moisture, and the wildfire outlook for spring is “near normal, if not below normal.” But MacDonald also pointed to a larger, climate-change related warming trend and the variability of the snowpack across the province, which is raising some concern. The lack of snow on the bottom of some valleys is “going to be a key component to keep an eye on,” MacDonald said. “The severity of the 2026 fire season will depend on the amount of precipitation that we see in May and June, and not just in terms of amounts, of how much we get, but in the frequency and duration of that rain,” he said.

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Don’t celebrate Nova Scotia court’s takedown of the forest ban

By Jamie Sarkonak
National Post
April 22, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada East

Months after Premier Tim Houston of Nova Scotia locked down the province’s forests, instituting a $25,000 fine on anyone who dared to enter a wooded or boggy area that they did not personally own, he’s received his first review from the courts. It’s poor: the ban on human travel through the “woods,” the Nova Scotia Supreme Court said last Friday, was unreasonable and therefore illegal. The result is a win for common sense. The actual reasoning of the court, less so. …Justice Jamie Campbell declared the ban was unreasonable — because the natural resources minister, back before he banned walks in the woods, didn’t adequately consider how his decision might interact with the Charter rights of those affected. While it wasn’t a constitutional case, the Charter ended up being the deciding factor in a backdoor sort of way.

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Finland: A bad example for Quebec?

Canadian Press in City News Everywhere Montreal
April 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada East

©GrandparentsforClimate

On the staircase of the Finnish parliament in Helsinki, a group of seniors [hold] banners, in Finnish, Swedish, German, but also in French, read “Grandparents for climate action” and “stop fossil burning”. Every week they come to demand firmer action to fight climate change, but also a more eco-responsible management of forests, in this country where the forest industry generates more than 83,000 jobs and represents 17 per cent of exports. A few months ago, Quebec signed an agreement to learn Finnish “forest management methods,” because the industry here is in crisis because of U.S. tariffs. Is Finnish forestry an inspiring model to replicate? “Not at the moment,” replies Päivi Härkönen, a granny in front of the parliament. …Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Finland has closed its border and stopped sourcing wood from Russia. As a result, companies harvest more local wood, more than the forest’s ability to regenerate, according to Greenpeace Finland.

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Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches

By Alex Brown
Stateline
April 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: United States

The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, soil health, pests and diseases, watersheds and wildlife. …It’s unclear how many scientists will be affected by the transition, but it comes as part of a larger agency reorganization that is expected to move roughly 5,000 employees to new outposts. …The Forest Service has not said how much money it expects to save by closing the research stations. Many Western leaders are skeptical that the consolidated operation will be able to replicate the work of the existing research stations.  …Forest Service veterans say its research program is valued by loggers and tree-huggers alike. “Nobody was asking for this,” said Robert Bonnie, undersecretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment during the Obama administration. “There was no call to do anything like this.”

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It’s a ‘Fir-mageddon!’ Why and where Douglas fir trees are declining in our region

By Sarah Bagby
KATU News
April 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

In southern Oregon they call it the “fir-mageddon” – the rapid decline of our largest and most prolific tree in the Pacific Northwest. The Douglas fir … is the most important tree species to the economy on the planet. Their ability to grow to a massive size and live for hundreds of years through all types of weather, makes it the best source for high-grade construction lumber… Douglas fir in Oregon and Washington alone make up one-quarter of the lumber industry in the United States. Since 2000, 635 acres of Douglas fir trees in our region have died — that’s roughly 175,000 trees, a trend that is only accelerating. The decline is not from the lumber industry. It’s global warming. A recent study proves is that Douglas fir trees are resilient to wildfires, but don’t fair well during a drought. During a drought they become vulnerable to a beetle that prays on distressed trees. 

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Wildfires killed nearly 20% of the world’s giant sequoias. How crews are racing to save the rest

By Paul Rogers
Mercury News in the Las Vegas Sun
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

Five years ago, a tragic and depressing environmental story unfolded when thousands of giant sequoia trees, an iconic California species that tower 300 feet high and can live for 3,000 years, were killed during multiple large wildfires that roared across the southern Sierra Nevada. The fires in 2020 and 2021 at Sequoia National Park, Sequoia National Forest and other areas burned with unprecedented intensity, killing nearly 20% of the world’s giant sequoias, and exposing the growing vulnerability of the most massive trees on the earth. …After the fires, stunned scientists, park managers and environmental groups formed a partnership to reduce the chances of similar catastrophic outcomes in the years ahead. Now, with another summer fire season looming, they say they are making encouraging progress. Since their efforts began in 2022, the partnership has thinned the overgrown brush and small trees that provide fuel for fires to burn hotter in 44 of the 94 giant sequoia groves in California.

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Judge refuses to block Southwest Oregon timber sales

By Mateusz Perkowski
Capital Press
April 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

A federal judge has refused to halt logging operations on a Southwest Oregon forest project that allows more than 8,000 acres of commercial timber harvest. Though a lawsuit has raised “serious questions” about errors in the environmental analysis of the Last Chance Project, those problems don’t rise to the level of warranting a preliminary injunction, said U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has authorized several timber sales to implement the Last Chance Project, which the agency finalized last year to reduce excessive forest stand density and provide a sustained log supply. Three environmental non-profits … filed a complaint alleging the project would harm the threatened spotted owl and the northwestern pond turtle, a sensitive species, contrary to several federal laws. The BLM has acknowledged there’s a discrepancy among its environmental reports about the acreage of spotted owl critical habitat that is slated for treatment.

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Crews race to clear wildfire fuels in Southern Oregon before the start of a hot, dry summer

By Justin Higginbottom
Jefferson Public Radio
April 16, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

A dry winter has forecasters predicting a potentially active fire season in Oregon. Federal agencies are trying to minimize the threats from large wildfires by first clearing fuels near communities. Chainsaws were buzzing along Grants Pass’ Cathedral Hills Trail System this week, part of a 240-acre fuels reduction project meant to reduce the risk of wildfire amid warnings from climatologists. Grayback Forestry cut down small-diameter trees — below 8 inches for hardwoods like oak — and piled the timber to be dried out and burnt in the fall. Sean Hendrix, base manager at Grayback, said that while the trees are too wet to burn now without producing large amounts of smoke, they should be wetter. Oregon is coming off a dry winter and record-low snowpack. “In fire and fuels we talk about fuel moisture,” he said. “Live fuel moisture just three weeks ago, they were 60%. In the middle of May they should be 160% saturated.”

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US House Dems condemn Forest Service cuts as Republicans cheer agency’s move West

By Annie Knox
Utah News Dispatch
April 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

U.S. House Republicans from Western states laid out a figurative welcome mat for the U.S. Forest Service Thursday as its chief pitched plans to whittle down the agency’s budget, move its headquarters to Salt Lake City and rely more heavily on states to manage millions of acres. “I think it’s very interesting what you’re proposing to do, and I support it,” said Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Democrats on the budget panel grilled Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz about how billions of dollars in cuts to the agency proposed by President Donald Trump could drive up costs for states and stamp out important research. The subcommittee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, said she’s deeply worried.

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Strengthening stewardship: Volunteers power public lands across the Eastern Region

By the Forest Service
US Department of Agriculture
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Across the Forest Service’s Eastern Region, volunteers are a powerful force shaping national forests and grasslands. They serve alongside employees, contributing time, energy and expertise to public lands that belong to everyone. This National Volunteer Week, we thank our volunteers—thousands of individuals—and our partner organizations for their year-round commitment to the landscapes that connect our communities. In FY25, 7,464 volunteers contributed 245,647 hours of service across the Eastern Region, representing an appraised value of $8,546,059. These numbers only hint at the scope of their impact. Throughout the Eastern Region, volunteer contributions help ensure that national forests remain healthy and welcoming for future generations. Last year across the Eastern Region, volunteers supported nearly every part of the mission. They maintained recreation sites and trails, restored habitat, monitored resources, led education programs, improved visitor experiences and advanced projects that strengthened long-term ecosystem resilience. 

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Drought conditions raise risk of New Hampshire wildfires, officials say

By Paul Feely
New Hampshire Union Leader
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US East

Despite several strong snowstorms across New Hampshire this winter and some rain in the past week, state officials warn that drought conditions persist statewide — along with an elevated risk of wildfires. The January-March period was the sixth-driest first quarter on record for the state, dating back to when measurements were first recorded in 1895, according to the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau. The data comes on the heels of an autumn with wildfire conditions so severe that a burn ban was declared statewide from Sept. 22 through Oct. 8. “Last year, New Hampshire experienced a 27.6% increase in the number of wildfires and a 16.8% increase in the number of acres burned,” said Chief Steven Sherman of the Forest Protection Bureau. “Many homes in New Hampshire are located in the wildland-urban interface — the area where homes and flammable wildland fuels intermix.” The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 78% of the state is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. 

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Environmental advocates slam Forestry Service for moving forward on Western Upper Peninsula logging project

By Kyle Davidson
News From The States
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US East

©USFS

Michigan — Following the release of a preliminary decision to move forward with a logging project in Ottawa National Forest, members of a Chicago-based environmental advocacy group are arguing the U.S. Forest Service did not properly consider the project’s overall environmental impact. On April 16, the Forest Service released its draft decision for the Silver Branch Vegetation Management project. Covering roughly 177,772 acres in Baraga, Houghton and Iron counties, the project would clear cut just over 25,000 acres of forest, though it would leave some trees that provide seeds or habitats for wildlife. Ottawa National Forest District Ranger Trevor Hahka told the Detroit News the project is aimed at reducing wildfire risk and addressing forest health issues, such as aging aspen trees, overcrowded hardwoods and declining conifers. 

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Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests

By Art Kabelowsky
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
April 16, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US East

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers didn’t have to go out on a limb to make this announcement. By issuing a Governor’s Proclamation this week, Gov. Evers has shined a spotlight on Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland. His announcement officially recognizes Wisconsin’s participation in Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day. “Wisconsin’s trees and forests are among the state’s most beautiful and critical natural resources,” Gov. Evers wrote, “and educating kids, families and communities about sustainable forestry is vital to their long-term conservation.” Individuals, groups and organizations statewide are busy planning multiple observances acknowledging the value of trees to Wisconsin’s ecology, economy, health and way of life:

  • Earth Day: Wednesday, April 22
  • Arbor Day: Friday, April 24
  • Forest Appreciation Week: Monday-Friday, April 20-24

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Earth Day 2026 | Our Power, Our Planet

Earth Day
April 22, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: International

Progress does not happen in silence. It happens when people show up. Environmental progress is built through everyday action—from communities protecting ecosystems to innovators advancing solutions. For Earth Day 2026, we’re mobilizing at scale. Every action counts. Every voice matters. With over 10,000 events including community cleanups, teach-ins, peaceful demonstrations, tree planting, voter registration, town hall meetings, community organizing — every action strengthens the movement. Our Power, Our Planet is Earth Day 2026’s theme reflecting a fundamental truth: environmental progress doesn’t depend on any single administration or election. It’s sustained by daily actions of communities, educators, workers, and families protecting where they live and work. Earth Day 2026 affirms that environmental progress is real, resilient, and ongoing despite policy uncertainty. Innovation, education, and community problem-solving remain durable. Local systems — cities, schools, Tribal nations — continue implementing solutions that strengthen energy reliability, conserve resources, and reduce risk because they’re grounded in economic sense and public safety. 

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Amazon Forests Can Recover From Fire — With Some Caveats

Yale School of the Environment
April 21, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: International

Paulo Brando

In 2004, an international team of researchers began setting fire to three 50-hectare plots of Amazon forest in Mato Grosso, Brazil. They were investigating what happens to a tropical forest when it burns, again and again, during the worst droughts in living memory? Yale School of the Environment Associate Professor Paulo Brando and a team of scientists recently published in a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The forests did not collapse into savanna. Even after repeated burning, severe droughts, and destructive windstorms, they retained what the researchers call a “fundamental capacity to remain forests.” Once the experimental fires stopped in 2010, recovery began. Within roughly a decade, interior forests had regained much of their structural complexity and species richness. …That optimism, however, comes with significant caveats. The forests that grew back after the fires stopped were not the same forests that had stood before. 

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Our efforts to halt global forest loss aren’t working: new research

By Chris Taylor, David Lindenmayer and Maldwyn John Evans (Aust. National University)
The Conversation AU
April 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: International

The loss of our forests is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Forests are key to curbing carbon emissions and protecting the plants, animals and humans that call Earth home. However, we’re losing our forests at an alarming rate. Our new study shows we’ve lost roughly 300 million hectares over the past 11 years. However, it’s unclear how much of this forest has since been restored. Either way, we’re losing a significant amount of forest despite efforts to protect it through certification, protection and other conservation schemes. The European Union has introduced policies aimed at eliminating products and supply chains that contribute to forest loss. …Halting forest loss is also a major focus of international declarations, such as the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use. …Protected areas may also help curb forest loss. …These two strategies should be reducing, or even stopping, forest loss. But they’re failing to do so at a global scale.

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Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy

Building Canada Stronger: Navigating the Global Wood Pellet Transition

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada
April 21, 2026
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: Canada

Join industry leaders at the Wood Pellet Association of Canada conference, Building Canada Stronger: Navigating the Global Wood Pellet Transition, September 22-23, 2026, as Canada’s wood pellet sector faces a period of rapid change and opportunity. This year’s program is designed to move beyond discussion and deliver practical insights you can apply directly to your operations. As we navigate a rapidly changing bioenergy landscape, the Canadian industry must focus on securing supply, building resilient energy systems, and advancing next-generation bioenergy solutions. Join us to learn how the worldwide industry is addressing key challenges—from fibre access and supply risk to safety and process safety management—while positioning Canada for emerging opportunities such as black pellets, BECCS, and domestic market expansion. There are also pre-conference events on Monday, September 21, 2026—a full day of golf or a forest and facility tour.

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Health & Safety

Continuing Progress: Wood Pellet Association of Canada Safety Committee Process Safety Implementation

By Gordon Murray
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada
April 20, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

Process safety management (PSM) remains a core focus for the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) and its members as the sector continues to strengthen safety performance and operational resilience. Building on the CSA Z767 standard, the WPAC Safety Committee and PSM Working Group have committed to a focused, achievable approach in 2026 that includes foundational activities to support long-term PSM maturity across the industry. The key areas of focus are: Developing and Validating Plant‑level Process Flow Diagrams; Implementing Management of Change (MOC) Systems; and Reviewing and Documenting Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) Gap Assessments. …A practical action plan will be developed based on the outputs of PFD development, MOC self-assessments and P&ID reviews to help plants prioritize next steps, align internal resources and prepare for a broader implementation beyond 2026.

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Vancouver, Victoria worst places in Canada for tree pollen allergies: report

CBC News
April 22, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada West

Vancouver and Victoria are the worst places to live in Canada for those with tree pollen allergies, according to a new report. The report from Aerobiology Research Laboratories shows the two B.C. cities are home to some of the most allergenic trees in the country, like birch and maple, and have a longer pollen season. The Ontario-based lab, which monitors airborne pollen with a network of 30 stations across the country, says conditions in the region create what it calls a “perfect storm” for allergy sufferers. “[The two cities] are so close to the coast and you get very mild temperature,” said laboratory director Daniel Coates. “Pollen loves warm weather.” He says allergy season in Vancouver and Victoria has already been intense this year and is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. The West Coast has been facing elevated pollen levels since January, much earlier than the rest of the country…

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Facility in Solway fined more than $24,000 for air permit violations

Minnesota Pollution Control
April 13, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: US East

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) fined West Fraser Forest Products $24,750 for exceeding the total amount of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) allowed by the air permit for the company’s Solway facility from January 2024 to January 2025. The company was fined $15,250 in January of 2026 for submitting carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide performance tests more than 100 days late and exceeding its hazardous air pollution limits from March 2023 to November 2023. In addition to the fine, the MPCA is requiring the company submit a permit application with a higher limit for total HAPs. The company must also submit a plan to stay at the current permit limit until a new permit is issued.

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