The energy shock tied to the Iran conflict is expected to raise wood products costs and strengthen the case for biofuels. In other Business news: Ontario is investing $3.3 million to expand wood manufacturing; a BC Supreme Court ruling sent a chilling message to landowners; RBC says the CUSMA review process leaves North America’s trade framework largely intact; and Washington has expanded inspections at kraft paper mills following the fatal Nippon Dynawave accident.
In Wood Product news: BCIT’s tall timber student housing project earned another honour; New York’s largest mass timber residential building nears completion; Australia showcases mass timber social housing; England highlights the structural potential of hardwoods; and New Zealand promotes value-added wood processing.
In Forestry news: Canada announced funding to plant 5M trees in Saskatchewan; BC launched three conservation initiatives; UBC researchers link clear-cut logging to flood risk; Oregon’s proposed logging expansion raises habitat concerns; and Vermont adapts to rising insect-driven tree mortality.
Finally, Forestry Works for BC is hiring an executive director.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor
Vancouver Island, BC — The Coastal Fire Centre reports a shift from warm, dry conditions to cooler, wetter weather over the first week and a half of July. However, previous weather conditions point towards a drier summer season for Vancouver Island. “Looking at the next seven days from a typical standpoint, we’re not elevating dryness specifically. But we’re also not bringing in much precipitation either. So, we’re essentially just keeping conditions generally steady,” said Ken Dosanjh, meteorologist with Environmental and Climate Change Canada, on July 2. In early July the Fire Danger Rating measure … shows much of Vancouver Island at the ‘low’ level, which entails easy fire start and quick spread but with minimal involvement of deeper fuel layers or larger fuels. Port Alberni, Nanaimo and the Victoria area have a ‘moderate’ fire danger rating, with forest fuels drying and an increased risk of surface fire starting. 
REGINA, SK — Today, the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), highlighted eight tree-planting projects across Saskatchewan. These projects represent a $24.5 million investment to plant over five million trees, helping to protect nature and biodiversity in Canada by restoring critical habitats for species at risk and advancing Indigenous-led forest planting and restoration efforts. Announced in March 2026, the $3.8 billion A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature is based on three pillars for action to harmonize nature protection and economic growth… Federal programs have made historic progress in restoring forests and building greener communities across the country as we work toward to our goals of protecting 30% of lands, waters, and oceans in Canada by 2030. Indigenous leadership is at the heart of protecting nature. Anchored in traditional knowledge and stewardship, it is critical to achieving our national and international commitments on nature.
The Province is working with First Nations and other partners on conservation-planning projects in Qat’muk (west of Invermere), Skagit Headwaters (in the Manning Park area) and Raush Valley (in the Robson Valley south of McBride). This work will address watersheds, ecosystems and wildlife over a combined 127,000 hectares. Feedback collected from the public during fall 2026 engagement opportunities will shape conservation recommendations. The proposed conservation measures would support the B.C. government’s goal of protecting 30% of land and inland waters in B.C. by 2030 (the “30×30” goal).
…The 2021 floods in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley cost an estimated 
EDMONTON — Current clearcutting practices sometimes outpace the recovery times of vital boreal forest species, according to a groundbreaking global analysis led by University of Alberta researchers. 
As the Victorian Forestry Transition Program comes to a close, some residents in regions that relied on the timber trade are questioning what has been done to build a replacement economy. The state government’s transition program ends today, two-and-a-half years after Victoria’s native logging industry was brought to an end with the flourish of a pen. The government committed $1.5 billion to support the transition, including $320 million to the Forestry Transition Program to provide financial support for affected workers, businesses and communities. But some residents remain unconvinced enough has been done to replace the jobs lost. …A Victorian auditor general’s 
BURLINGTON — Across Northeastern forests, natural causes now account for more tree deaths than harvesting, including in Vermont, according to a recent study from the University of Vermont. But these natural causes are still cause for concern. Insects, disease and extreme weather are now to blame for the majority of tree deaths in the region, a significant shift from just 15 years ago, the study found. This shift comes at a time when Vermont’s warming climate is already posing dangers to the health of the forest, including worsening the threat of introducing an invasive species. Now, forest health experts are determining what strategies they can use to preserve Vermont’s woods. “Our forests are really resilient,” said Savannah Ferreira, a forest health specialist with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. “We’re doing a lot of great forest management that really helps increase the health and vigor of our trees.”
Get ready for WPAC’s annual conference, September 22-23, 2026, in beautiful Victoria, BC! This year’s theme, Building Canada Stronger: Navigating the Global Wood Pellet Transition, covers securing supply, resilient energy and next-gen bioenergy. Day 2 focuses on the innovation, decarbonization and domestic markets. Sessions include:
The German government has approved a draft law designed to limit the support for electricity generation from woody biomass, aiming the meet the EU requirements. As a result, certain categories of wood will be excluded from subsidisation under Germany’s Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), such as saw logs, veneer logs, other industrial-grade roundwood and stumps and roots harvested from forests. Electricity generation from these types of wood, however, may still receive support if it is necessary to safeguard Germany’s energy security or if local industry is unable to use the forestry biomass in ways that deliver greater economic and environmental value than energy production. Under the proposed law, industrial wood residues will remain eligible for financing.
Ontario Forest Fires said there were five new wildland fires confirmed in the northeast region in its latest update issued Sunday evening. The organization also said that efforts to contain one of the fires — Cochrane 32 — were hampered by a drone flying illegally in the area. “A drone flying over Cochrane 32 tonight has grounded all firefighting aircraft in the area and delayed suppression operations,” Ontario Forest Fires said in its update. Regulations prohibit “aircraft, including drones, from the airspace over an active forest fire within 5 nautical miles and up to an altitude of 3,000 feet.” …The five new fires include Cochrane 32, which measures 2.8 hectares and is located two kilometres northwest of Harty.:quality(65))
A wildfire burning out of control in southwestern France has forced the evacuation of 10,000 people from two dozen small towns and villages near the Spanish border and officials said strong winds on Monday would further fan the blaze. The European Union said on Monday it was sending four waterbombing aircraft to France from Cyprus and Sweden to help firefighters around the city of Perpignan. …The blaze has injured 16 people, including four firefighters, and scorched some 4,600 hectares in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. Early summer heat waves in France and across western Europe in May and June have scorched vast areas of land, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfires this year. The Trevillach blaze was burning near the third stage of the Tour de France, leading to its closure to the public on Monday to allow firefighters easy access to the area, according to Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme.