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The Tree Frog Forestry News
March 20, 2026
Category: Today's Takeaway
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New Partnership Creates Brand New Insurance Options for Forest Owners
By Sandra Bishop
Canadian Forest Owners
March 18, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada
Kemptville, ON — Under the leadership of Canadian Forest Owners (CFO), the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA), along with partnering associations nationwide, has appointed BrokerLink as our exclusive insurance broker. This first-of-its-kind insurance program in Canada offers OWA members access to a comprehensive suite of insurance products tailored specifically to protect the assets of family and commercial forest owners. CFO represents 480,000 forest owners who collectively own about 10% of Canada’s forested land, but account for 20% of the country’s timber production. As a national advocate for sustainable private-land forestry, CFO takes pride in championing solutions that support and protect our communities. “Together with BrokerLink, we’re proud to offer innovative strategies to help our members proactively manage increasing climate-related events and other risks while protecting important assets,” says Andrew de Vries, CEO of CFO. …Access to this product is available to members of the OWA and other provincial associations affiliated with CFO.
COFI 2026 Panel: Predictable and Economic Access to Wood
Council of Forest Industries
March 20, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West
Forester Panel to Tackle Fibre Access and Competitiveness at COFI 2026: A key session at the COFI 2026 Convention, The Forester Panel: Predictable and Economic Access to Wood, brings together leading practitioners for a practical, solutions-focused discussion on one of the sector’s most pressing challenges. Moderated by Michael Armstrong, SVP & Chief Forester with the Council of Forest Industries, the panel features Shannon Janzen (Hypha Consulting), Cheryl Hodder (Canfor), David Elstone (Spar Tree Group), Percy Guichon (Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation), and Christian Messier (Université du Québec en Outaouais / Habitat). Together, they will explore how to improve fibre access, streamline regulatory processes, maintain healthy ecosystems, and maximize the value of available timber. With B.C.’s forest sector facing ongoing uncertainty, this session focuses on actionable strategies to restore predictability, strengthen competitiveness, and unlock the province’s full forest potential. Register today!
Employment statistics highlight still-tough times in B.C.’s forestry sector
By Derrick Penner
Vancouver Sun
March 19, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West
Last year was hard on workers in some industries within B.C.’s resource sector, particularly forestry, and 2026 doesn’t look like it’s starting much better. Statistics Canada’s February labour force survey, the report that tracks overall unemployment, tracked job losses in both the natural resources and manufacturing sectors for both the previous month and for the 12 months since the same month in 2025. Natural resources … had a year-over-year loss of 9,300 jobs from February 2025 to February 2026. The manufacturing classification, which includes lumber production, had a year-over-year loss of 12,200, according to StatCan. StatCan’s … survey of employment and payroll counted at least 1,200 job losses in forestry, which include logging and supporting jobs, and at least 800 job losses in sawmills between December 2024 and December 2025. …“The worst was probably in the fourth quarter (of 2025) when the full bite of the duties hit, and then the (U.S.) tariffs,” said industry consultant Russ Taylor. “That’s when we saw a lot more of the jobs falling off.”
The economic crisis gripping B.C.’s forest industry shows no signs of easing. As the landlord and owner of the vast majority of forested land in the province as well as the regulator that largely determines how the industry operates, the provincial government is in the firing line as mills close and thousands of jobs disappear in logging, wood products manufacturing, and pulp and paper production. Whenever questions arise about the calamity unfolding in forestry, Premier David Eby and his hapless Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar are quick to finger U.S. tariffs as the culprit. In reality, the unprecedented downturn in B.C.’s forestry sector has three main causes. American tariffs are one of them. Unfortunately, history teaches that there is little B.C. can do to influence the course of U.S. trade policy. The other two factors pummeling the industry are primarily “home-grown” problems that reflect decisions made in Victoria: A stunning decline in the supply of fibre; and the emergence—over time—of an increasingly complex, costly, and ever-changing regulatory environment. Together, these trends have made B.C. a virtual “no-go” zone in which to deploy capital across all parts of the forest industry supply chain.
Daniel Cloutier advocates for members at Forestry Communities Forum
By Véronique Figliuzzi
Unifor Canada
March 18, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada East
Daniel Cloutier
On March 11, Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier addressed more than 150 leaders gathered at the Forestry Communities Forum organized by the “Fédération québécoise des municipalités”, bringing forward the voice of the workers who sustain the forestry sector in every region of Quebec. At a time marked by mill closures, layoffs and growing uncertainty, he stressed the need for a decisive shift toward higher value-added production and highlighted the importance of developing the Canadian domestic market to help offset the loss of access to the U.S. market. He also reminded participants that working conditions in the forestry sector … are the result of negotiations led by unions that defend the interests of working people, and the gains achieved through these struggles benefit unionized and non-unionized workers alike. …Unifor maintains that Quebec’s forestry sector is ready for a genuine industrial policy, one that is built in an inclusive way and that integrates the voice and concerns of workers.
Hardwood supply chain at risk from soaring fuel prices
My All Coast News Australia
March 18, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: International
AUSTRALIA — A fifth-generation family timber operation in Bulahdelah says it is absorbing an almost $8000 weekly fuel surge to keep hardwood moving to Australia’s cities. Anthony Dorney operates two hardwood sawmills continuing a timber cutting tradition which has lasted for more than a century. Last week, Anthony pulled up to the bowser (Australian word for gas pump) and paid $2.90 a litre. In a single week, the Dorneys say daily fuel costs across the two operations have climbed by more than $7,800. Every tonne of Tallowwood, Ironbark and Blackbutt that leaves Bulahdelah does so on a fuel-powered truck. The two mills employ more than ten percent of the local town’s population and supply a large share of north-east NSW’s hardwood – running supply chains south to Sydney and the Central Coast, west to Canberra, and north to Brisbane. “It’s all due to a critical shortage at the bowser and growing rationing between customers,” Dorney said.
This edition spotlights the release of a new Industrial Guide advancing the use of mass timber in industrial and commercial buildings. Developed through broad industry collaboration, the guide provides practical direction for incorporating wood into manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and hybrid structures. A featured case study from the Woodrise Industrial Guide Alliance brings these concepts to life, demonstrating how mass timber can meet performance requirements while reducing carbon impacts. The project highlights the benefits of prefabrication, efficient design, and innovative engineering in delivering cost-effective and timely construction. The newsletter also points to the broader shift underway in the building sector, as evolving codes, research, and market demand open the door for wood in non-traditional applications. Together, these stories reinforce mass timber’s growing role as a scalable, low-carbon solution for industrial development.
PCL takes home two Toronto Construction Association Awards
ReNewCanada
March 18, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada East
PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto) earned a pair of awards at the Toronto Construction Association’s (TCA) Best of the Best Awards. Presented at the TCA’s 158th Annual General Meeting, PCL was awarded Project Achievement Awards for the Kingsway College Senior School Phase 2 renovation and George Brown Polytechnic’s Limberlost Place. Creating a new era for George Brown Polytechnic students and faculty, Limberlost Place exemplifies what’s possible through collaboration, out-of-the-box thinking and a shared commitment to building a resilient future. The 10-storey mass timber, net-zero educational facility integrates first-of-its-kind solutions including the cross-laminated timber (CLT) slab band structural system and North America’s largest mass timber columns spanning three storeys. Early engagement from the entire team during the preconstruction phase was crucial to design development and determining constructability.
Industry coalition seeks injunction against California’s SB 343
By Stefanie Valentic
Resource Recycling
March 19, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: US West
A cross-sector group of packaging producers, farmers, restaurants and grocers has filed a class action lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343, California’s controversial recycling labeling law. The coalition argues the legislation imposes unconstitutional restrictions on free speech, ultimately working against recycling participation programs by making it harder for consumers to understand what can and cannot go in the bin. At the heart of the complaint is SB 343’s prohibition on the use of widely recognized recycling symbols and claims, even when those claims are factually accurate, according to the suit. Under the law, producers cannot label packaging as recyclable unless it meets state-defined, “rigid” criteria that allegedly fails to reflect how recycling actually works. …“SB 343 establishes labeling standards that could discourage innovation and limit the ability to provide accurate recycling information to consumers,” the American Forest and Paper Association stated.
The LEGO Group has confirmed plans to construct an office building using engineered mass timber as part of its new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia, scheduled to open in 2027. …While the primary manufacturing buildings will rely on steel, concrete and glass …The office component will use engineered mass timber, with early project modelling indicating a reduction in embodied carbon of up to 40 per cent compared with conventional structural systems. The approach reflects a targeted substitution strategy, applying timber where it can materially reduce carbon intensity without affecting structural performance or delivery timelines. Designed by LS3P with Gray | Hourigan as general contractor, the building will draw on timber sourced from regions close to Virginia, including native species. This localised supply approach reduces transport inputs while aligning with regional forestry outputs. The link between LEGO’s product logic and the construction approach is hard to ignore.
Enzyme-mediated consolidation of lignocellulosic materials with a flame-retardant and fully recyclable mineral binder
By Ronny Kürsteiner, ETH Zurich
Chem Circularity
January 26, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International
The wood industry produces enormous quantities of lignocellulosic by-products, such as sawdust, and their incineration for energy recovery results in substantial carbon emissions and the loss of valuable raw materials. Here, we introduce struvite as a fully recyclable inorganic binder for the consolidation of sawdust into high-performance hybrid materials. The mineral binder is produced in situ by an enzymatically induced solution-mediated phase transformation driven by ureolytic protein bodies extracted from watermelon seeds. The resulting material exhibits excellent fire resistance with a long time to ignition (51 ± 1 s), low peak heat release (118 ± 2 kW m−2), and fast flame self-extinction due to efficient char-layer formation. Moreover, it displays high compressive strength (4.71 ± 0.37 MPa). Crucially for sustainability, the struvite binder can be recovered under mild aqueous conditions without loss of performance, offering a valid path toward a circular materials economy.
TreeFree Diaper Core with AI-Orderability via AIO-TFX Rail Announced by GreenCore Solutions
GreenCore Solutions Corp.
Cision Newswire
March 19, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International
TORONTO, PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico and PARIS – GreenCore Solutions Corp. (GSC) today announced global availability of TreeFree Core — a zero-tree-fiber, non-lignocellulosic absorbent diaper core — now shipping with AI-Orderability (AIO) integrated via the AIO-TFX Rail. Private-label diaper converters who source TreeFree Core receive, at no additional cost, the infrastructure that makes their finished diapers visible and purchasable by AI-driven retail procurement systems operating today. …TreeFree Core eliminates wood fiber entirely. Its Advanced Synthetic Matrix (ASM) construction — non-lignocellulosic, zero tree fiber, SGS France Class B tested (Registry 43777) — carries EUDR Scope: NOT_APPLICABLE as a verified, machine-readable compliance determination. No forest-risk commodity. No due diligence obligation. No TRACES-NT requirement.
Certifications Endorse Our Responsible Forest Management and Fiber Sourcing Practices
By Colleen Marble
Domtar Corporation
March 19, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada
At Domtar, environmental stewardship begins with responsible fiber procurement. This includes responsible forest management, careful tracking of wood fiber sources and a long‑running endorsement of third‑party certification. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are independent, globally recognized certification frameworks. They provide our customers with the assurance that we adhere to rigorous responsible forest management and chain of custody standards. Today, Domtar is the world’s largest holder of FSC and SFI Forest Management certificates, a testament to our commitment to responsible forest management, with nature, wildlife and local communities at the heart of our approach. …“Our stakeholders and partners across all sectors are rightfully focused on environmental impact,” says Luc Thériault, Wood Products CEO & President Canada. “Our environmental performance must be exemplary, which is why this pillar is fundamental to our 2030 strategy.”
Canada releases the National Freshwater Science Agenda to guide priorities over the next 10 years
By Environment and Climate Change Canada
Cision Newswire
March 19, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada
GATINEAU, QC — Today, during Canada Water Week, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, is announcing the release of the National Freshwater Science Agenda, which aims to better align freshwater science and research efforts across Canada. The Science Agenda is the result of over two years of engagement efforts led by Environment and Climate Change Canada with input from more than 800 science experts, Knowledge Holders, experts, and science users across governments and sectors, Indigenous organizations, and Canada’s freshwater science community. It is grounded in Western science and Indigenous Knowledge and reflects the diverse scientific needs and perspectives that are relevant to partners and stakeholders across the country. It outlines interconnected themes including bridging, braiding, and weaving Indigenous science and Knowledge; water availability; land‑use stressors and water pollution; ecosystem resilience and biodiversity; socio‑ecological considerations; and economic research.
Forests Canada Creating National Working Group to Improve Post-Wildfire Forest Recovery
Forests Canada
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada
TORONTO – National charity Forests Canada supported the planting of more than four million trees across Canada in 2025, with over two million being planted to restore forests ravaged by storms, invasive species, and wildfires. Canada’s forest landscapes are experiencing unprecedented impacts from wildfire, creating urgent and complex challenges for post-fire recovery, regeneration, and long-term forest resilience. To support coordinated national action, knowledge exchange, and the development of best practices for forest resilience, Forests Canada is establishing a National Working Group on Post-Fire Forest Recovery Practices. …”With this new National Working Group, we will be able to gain new insights from a diverse group of participants so that we can all work together to help create lasting and positive outcomes for Canada’s forests,” says Val Deziel, restoration ecologist and Director of Restoration Ecology and Research, Forests Canada.
Sooke resident urges support from community to protect old growth forests
Victoria News
March 19, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Daria Mykhailovych, a Sooke resident, has been raising awareness across Greater Victoria about a petition calling on the provincial government to strengthen protections for British Columbia’s remaining old-growth forests in hopes of encouraging more people to support it. …Originally from Ukraine, she said landscapes like those on Vancouver Island are rare elsewhere in the world. …The petition was launched in fall 2025 by two B.C. forest ecologists, Dr. Suzanne Simard, a professor at University of British Columbia, and independent ecologist Dr. Rachel Holt. Originally, the petition was started with a goal of getting 10,000 signatures. As of March, 16, the petition has received support from about 4,070 people. …“Our concern is that we’ve been cutting these forests at an unsustainable rate,” Simard said. “We wanted to raise awareness and encourage people to question whether the path we’re on is good for the people of British Columbia and for the forests themselves.”
Invasive Grasses May Be Turning B.C.’s Burn Scars Into the Next Wildfire
By the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
The University of British Columbia
March 19, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
A UBC FES study with St’át’imc Nation communities finds invasive grasses are the sleeper threat on B.C.’s post-fire landscape—and the window to stop them is narrow. After a wildfire, the flames may fade, but the danger does not. A new study by UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship researchers reveals that burned landscapes remain vulnerable for years, with large areas still bare and at risk of invasion by fast-growing, fire-prone grasses. The research, one of the largest vegetation trajectory studies in the world, monitored landscapes two years after major wildfires in interior B.C. While some native plants returned, recovery was slower and more fragile than expected. One of the most pressing concerns is invasive grasses, which germinate early in spring, dry out during the hottest months, and act as dry runways that spread flames at highway speed—a dynamic that contributed to the 2023 Lahaina fire in Maui and is increasingly likely in B.C.’s Interior.
Tyson Atleo, a hereditary leader of the Ahousaht First Nation, says the creation of three new forestry areas to be managed by his community and two others on the west coast of Vancouver Island marks the realization of a long-standing promise. Atleo recalls assuring the community more than 15 years ago that “we would find a pathway forward to regaining control over some of our forest resources.” The vision is to manage the forests of Clayoquot Sound, a globally recognized biosphere that includes Tofino, B.C., in a way that reflects the nation’s interest in ecological integrity and balance it with access to economic opportunity, he said. The total combined area of the three new tree farm licenses is about 52,000 hectares, with Ahousaht set to manage about 33,000 hectares, Atleo said. The areas were previously part of a single, larger licence with harvesting rights belonging to forest company MaMook Natural Resources.
Sicamous endorses Forestry is a Solution to help root the industry
By Heather Black
The Salmon Arm Observer
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) was barking up the right tree with the District of Sicamous, with council officially endorsing its Forestry is a Solution initiative. The request came to the March 11 council meeting, explaining the program that launched on Jan. 20 is a province-wide initiative led by a coalition of community leaders, workers and industry advocates to support forestry in light of new challenges. COFI president and CEO Kim Haakstad said in a letter, “the sector currently faces significant headwinds from global competition, challenging operating conditions, and damaging U.S. trade actions. We believe that by working together, we can show the provincial government that forestry provides the solutions for B.C.’s most urgent challenges.” …The initiative’s goal is to get 5,000 signatures to show support of having government action on those points, with Sicamous council unanimously onboard.
Tla’amin set to reclaim forest stewardship with $80M logging licence deal: ‘A generational opportunity’
By Abby Francis
IndigiNews
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Steven Hofer & hegus John Hackett
Tla’amin Nation is set to take back control over a large piece of its territory, after signing a deal to take over Western Forest Products’ licence to log more than 1,540 square kilometres of forest in their homelands. The nation agreed to buy Western’s tree-farm license for the massive parcel … for $80 million on Feb. 19. The license for the Stillwater Forest Operation covers a vast majority of forest in the qathet (Powell River) area, where Tla’amin is located. The lands themselves are not being returned to Tla’amin; tree-farm licenses are granted by the “B.C.” government to allow companies to harvest on “Crown” lands, typically over 25-year terms. But Tla’amin Hegus (Chief) John Hackett said the ability to steward his people’s land is a major step forward. “This acquisition brings another 43 per cent of Tla’amin territory back under our stewardship and control,” Hackett said in a statement.
siwɬkʷ Water and Climate Forum to take place in Kelowna
By Yashvika Grover
Penticton Western News
March 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Okanagan Nation Alliance is hosting a two-day water and climate forum in honour of World Water Day on March 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. In partnership with Okanagan Similkameen Watershed Collaborative Leadership Table (CLT), the alliance is bringing together Indigenous leaders, local government representatives, researchers, scientists, regional and international water experts and community partners to advocate for climate-resilient governance and collaborative watershed stewardship. The forum will teach participants about the importance of watersheds and how to build resilience amid rising risks from wildfires, drought and ecosystem stress. …“Our forests are burning, our waters are drying, and the time to act is now — the siwɬkʷ Water and Climate Forum is a call to protect our watersheds and ensure that there is cold, clean flowing water for all living things – now and for future generations,” reads the release.
BC Timber Sales wants to create 500 hectares for logging east of Penticton
By Brennan Phillips
The Penticton Western News
March 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
BC Timber Sales is bringing forward an application to establish 17 new cut blocks on Crown land east of Okanagan Falls and Penticton. The application is being brought to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen on March 19 for support, as the proposed cut blocks are located within the boundaries of the Okanagan Falls electoral area. The 17 cut blocks total 494.7 hectares, and the proposal would also see road construction and road deactivation. The rehabilitation process for the roads would include tree replanting. The land is in an RDOS-designated resource area, and a staff report says the proposed cutblocks fall within watercourse development permit areas and “important ecosystem areas.” The advisory planning committee for Okanagan Falls gave its support to the application at its March 9 meeting, while requesting that any approval be subject to a full environmental assessment.
BC’s forest sector is at a crossroads. While the industry faces significant challenges, we know that when given the right conditions to thrive, forestry is a solution for the biggest issues facing our province today:
A Solution for Housing: Providing the renewable, low-carbon wood products needed to build affordable homes and infrastructure.
A Solution for Wildfire Risk: Reducing fuel loads that drive catastrophic wildfires through active forest management.
A Solution for Communities: Supporting family-sustaining jobs and resilient local economies across the province.
Your Voice Matters — The Forestry is a Solution website gives you a direct line to Victoria. Add your name to the petition and send an automated letter to your local MLA, urging them to take practical steps to stabilize and strengthen our sector. Help Us Reach 5,000 Signatures — More than 1,300 British Columbians have already stepped up. We are working to reach 5,000 signatures by April to ensure the voice of the forest sector cannot be ignored.
Logan Lake, B.C. – The Logan Lake Community Forest (LLCF) has unveiled a refreshed brand, website, and film that highlight its commitment to the stewardship of local forests, through indigenous collaboration, supporting what makes the communities of the Logan Lake area strong: the people, the land, and our future. …[The] redesigned website that provides clear information about forest management activities, current projects, and the local benefits of community forestry in the Logan Lake area. … The film, launched in collaboration with the BC Community Forest Association provides a look at the planning and treatment activities of the LLCF specific to wildfire risk reduction, and the enhancement of trails and wildlife habitat, and is part of a broader provincial-wide storytelling initiative showcasing community forests across British Columbia.
West Kootenay wildfire prevention projects receive $1.4M in funding
By Betsy Kline
Arrow Lakes News
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Columbia Basin organizations and residents are benefiting from $3 million in wildfire reduction funding through a partnership between the Province of British Columbia and Columbia Basin Trust, according to a March 17 funding announcement. The projects are guided by FireSmart principles and aim to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen local resilience. The practical projects range from managing wildfire fuels to educating residents. Actions include hiring FireSmart coordinators, preparing fuel-treatment plans, carrying out on-the-ground fuel management and providing FireSmart training. The program is tailored to the Columbia Basin and is part of B.C.’s Community Resiliency Investment Program. The Ministry of Forests, BC Wildfire Service and Columbia Basin Trust are partners in delivering this support.
Prescribed Fire and Partnerships Help Restore Wildlife Habitat Throughout B.C.
The Forest Enhancement Society of B.C.
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
British Columbia — As the Forest Enhancement Society of BC marks its 10th anniversary, the Society is reflecting on the investments made and the meaningful impacts achieved, many in partnership with other organizations. …“As we reflect on ten years of FESBC investments, it is clear that sustained funding and strong partnerships are an essential part of how we restore ecosystems and improve wildlife habitat across our province,” said Jason Fisher, Executive Director of FESBC. “Moving forward, we need to look at how all forest management activities, from thinning to fuel management, can be planned and carried out in ways that support and improve wildlife habitat over the long term. Continuing this work will ensure these benefits extend to future generations, setting the table for more healthy and resilient forests.”
Is Fix Our Forest Act a fix or a free pass for loggers?
By Greta Solsaa
VTDigger
March 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: United States
Vermonters are weighing the impacts of a federal bill — the Fix Our Forest Act — that would dramatically change environmental review processes and bring a big shift in the government’s approach to forest management. Proponents of the bill, including foresters and loggers, say that this bill will streamline projects in fire-prone areas and protect forests from wildfire and disasters. Critics of the proposal, including some environmental lawyers and conservationists, say it could defang key environmental oversight laws. …The bill comes after President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the environmentalist community in Vermont by declaring wildfires a national emergency and issuing executive orders directing a 25% increase in timber production on public lands. The Fix Our Forest Act passed the U.S. House, and goes before the U.S. Senate for a vote. …A key feature of the bill would more than triple the acreage cap for projects receiving so-called categorical exclusions, from up to 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres.
Further proof is coming: Idaho can’t afford a federal lands grab
By Bryan Clark
Idaho Statesman
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
This week, we have yet another reminder that Idaho can’t possibly afford to take over or manage federal lands. A forthcoming study, which will be published Friday, provides the most recent reliable estimates of exactly how much Idaho would lose if it were to take over federal lands. The study, which was commissioned by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Idaho Business for the Outdoors, the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, and the Idaho Wildlife Federation, was performed by Peterson and Associates, which has long been a go-to source for economic analysis of this type in Idaho. While the full results won’t be released until Friday, the top-line figures are stark. Idaho would lose $837.7 million directly, in the form of spending by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies, as well as Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools payments. That’s nearly 16% of Idaho’s general fund budget.
Lawsuit claims Forest Service project will harm whitebark pine near Yellowstone
By Darrell Ehrlick
The Daily Montanan
March 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
Three organizations and an individual are suing the Gardiner District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest — for a plan they say hurts the already-endangered whitebark pine tree while ignoring lynx and grizzly habitat, and relying on unproven studies. The groups say the federal government is ignoring its rules and seems to be disregarding its own maps of protected lynx area in an effort to preserve the rare whitebark pine trees, despite admitting in its own documents that the efforts to preserve the trees could actually harm them. The lawsuit … centers on logging north of Yellowstone National Park. A technique, called “daylight thinning,” which involves removing trees near a whitebark pine, is not backed by scientific research according to the court documents, and the organizations point out that the Forest Service admits that in the process of thinning, it could actually wind up killing some of the whitebark pine trees.
How to weigh in on BLM’s plans to quadruple logging in Oregon’s forests
By April Ehrlich
Oregon Public Broadcasting
March 18, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
You have until Monday to provide input on the Trump administration’s plan to dramatically increase logging in western Oregon forests. Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced its plans to quadruple the amount of logging that could happen in the forests it manages. Specifically, the agency aims to revise management plans for areas designated as O&C Lands, named after the Oregon and California Railroad company that once owned them. BLM is eyeing 2.5 million acres of forests spanning 17 counties across Oregon. They include mature and old-growth forests treasured by recreationists, hunters, conservationists and tourism businesses who now worry about Oregon’s remaining old trees that are on the chopping block. Timber industry representatives welcomed the news, celebrating a potential return to 20th-century logging levels that once supported rural economies.
Mild winter helps Oregon forestry crews plant over two million seedlings ahead of schedule
KVAL 13 Oregon
March 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
OREGON — A mild winter and spring-like weather has helped the Oregon Department of Forestry stay ahead of schedule on replanting state forest timber harvest areas this year, with about two million seedlings already planted. “This has been a great planting season with no shutdowns due to weather,” said John Walter, ODF’s state forests silviculturist. “All our districts are done or will be this month. The only exception being Klamath Lake—they typically plant into May and have about 60,000 to get in.” Douglas fir remains the dominant species in most Western Oregon forests, but ODF said it builds diversity into its reforestation plans to promote resilience and provide additional types of timber products. “This year we planted about 74 percent Doug(las) Fir, 17 percent Hemlock, two percent each of Western Red Cedar and Noble Fir, one percent each of Grand Fir and Sitka Spruce with the remaining three percent Pondarosa Pine,” Walter said.
Federal law doesn’t mandate minimum amounts of logging in Alaska’s Tongass rainforest, judge says
By James Brooks
News From The States
March 17, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
A federal judge in Alaska has rejected a lawsuit that sought to reinstate a management plan that would allow heavier logging in the world’s largest temperate old-growth rainforest. The result leaves an Obama-era management plan in place, but it could be short-lived: The administration of President Donald Trump is already at work on a new plan that could allow more logging in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. …The three groups sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture — the parent organization of the U.S. Forest Service — last year, alleging in part that the federal Tongass Timber Reform Act of 1990 required the Forest Service to offer enough timber sales to meet market demand. Gleason ruled otherwise, finding that TTRA does not impose “a mandatory duty” on the Forest Service to ensure that market demand is met by Tongass timber sales.
‘Hybrid organ’: how a union of trees and fungi could revolutionise forest management
By Ben Martynoga
The Guardian
March 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East
At a commercial tree nursery near Evans, western Louisiana, pine seedlings are sprayed with a liquid extract teeming with hundreds of species of wild soil fungi. Brad Ouseman, the nursery manager, is confident he will see results from this fungal inoculation, which is intended to improve yields and reduce the need for artificial fertilisers. Colin Averill, the founder of Funga, the startup company that supplied the spray, likens the treatment to a faecal microbiome transplant for young pine trees. Funga treats young pine trees with wild microbes derived from the soils of thriving pine forests. “We’re taking the whole soil community,” Averill says. “As a result, we get all the complexity and all the interactions that come with it.” The goal: trees that grow fast, drawing down more carbon dioxide, with less reliance on artificial fertilisers. …“Our next big target is Douglas fir in the Pacific north-west,” says Averill.
Direct Storage of Biomass Coalition Launches to Advance Carbon Removal Pathway
By Carbon Biomass Council
PR Newswire
March 17, 2026
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States
WASHINGTON — The Carbon Business Council announced the launch of the Direct Storage of Biomass (DSB) Coalition, a new industry working group bringing together leading companies to advance understanding, credibility, and responsible deployment of direct biomass storage as a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) pathway. Direct storage of biomass, also referred to as terrestrial storage of biomass, involves durably storing organic material such as waste wood from forests, agricultural residues like corn stover, biochar, or other plant and biological matter. Storing these organic residues allow the carbon previously absorbed by the biomass to be durably locked out of the active carbon cycle. The biomass can be safely buried, stored deep underground in sealed reservoirs, wells or other containers. DSB can deliver durable atmospheric carbon removal while leveraging existing forestry, agricultural, and biomass-handling infrastructure. …The DSB Coalition is part of the Carbon Business Council’s broader initiative to scale carbon removal across air, land, rock, and water.
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania — Woodland Biomass Innovations has completed the second of a four-stage process to convert low-grade wood products to fuel. Luca Pandolfi, founder and CEO of Woodland BIO, said a third party engineering firm validated the design of the system to convert wood biomass into fuel that is chemically identical to gasoline and that the plan is economically viable. “We’ve been busy. We hit some big milestones here so it’s exciting to have five years of work coming to fruition,” Pandolfi said. Completed in collaboration with TRC Companies, the study confirms the viability of converting 1,000 tons per day of regional wood residues into 42,000 gallons per day of 87-octane road-spec drop-in gasoline.
Spring safety updates: New WorkSafe Magazine, MSI prevention, crane safety, and more
WorkSafeBC
March 18, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada West
The Tree Frog Forestry News encourages readers to check out the WorkSafeBC Spring 2026 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. The lead story has a strong focus on preventing “struck-by” incidents and improving safety around mobile equipment. It highlights how B.C. forest-product operations are redesigning worksites with engineered controls—such as barriers, walkways, and traffic systems—to better separate workers from moving equipment. Additional features include practical tools to help employers assess and control struck-by risks, along with guidance on roadside work planning and traffic management. The issue also tackles hearing safety, cautioning that personal audio devices are not a substitute for approved hearing protection. WorkSafeBC updates round out the edition, including a refreshed commercial fishing safety guide, clarified rules for reporting tips and gratuities, and progress on asbestos licensing and certification programs. Together, the issue emphasizes proactive planning, clear controls, and shared responsibility as key to safer workplaces across B.C.
‘Smokeless’ fuels produce more ultrafine particles that get embedded in lungs, study shows
By Gary Fuller
The Guardian
March 20, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: International
New research has found that burning “smokeless” or low-smoke fuels may be causing new air pollution hazards on streets and in homes. Sold as alternatives to burning coal, wood and peat at home, tests reveal their smoke contains large quantities of tiny ultrafine particles, that can deposit themselves deep in our lungs. The findings were an accidental discovery while researchers were testing fuels in traditional and modern eco design stoves. As expected, burning alternative fuels, both smokeless coal ovoids and briquettes made from olive stones, produced less particle pollution compared with wood or coal. …For each kilogram burned, the low-smoke fuels produced between two and three times more ultrafine particles than wood or coal. …The size of the ultrafine particles means that they are deposited deep in the lungs, multiplying the health impact. In Dublin, the low smoke fuels accounted for more than half of ultrafine particles that can deposit in people’s lungs.
Safety and health in forestry work in focus on International Day of Forests 2026
International Labour Organization
March 18, 2026
Category: Health & Safety
Region: International
GENEVA – Forests are important sources of employment and livelihoods for millions worldwide, supporting sustainable forest management, timber production, and the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. Yet forestry remains one of the world’s most hazardous sectors, where many workers face significant decent work deficits, particularly in relation to occupational safety and health. Climate change further intensifies these risks, making efforts to improve working conditions and practices more urgent than ever. Marking the International Day of Forests 2026, the International Labour Organization highlights ongoing initiatives to strengthen occupational safety and health, and social dialogue in the sector, with a spotlight on Brazil, one of the world’s leading forest economies.
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Kemptville, ON — Under the leadership of Canadian Forest Owners (CFO), the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA), along with partnering associations nationwide, has appointed BrokerLink as our exclusive insurance broker. This 
Last year was hard on workers in some industries within B.C.’s resource sector, particularly forestry, and 2026 doesn’t look like it’s starting much better. Statistics Canada’s February labour force survey, the report that tracks overall unemployment, tracked job losses in both the natural resources and manufacturing sectors for both the previous month and for the 12 months since the same month in 2025. Natural resources … had a year-over-year loss of 9,300 jobs from February 2025 to February 2026. The manufacturing classification, which includes lumber production, had a year-over-year loss of 12,200, according to StatCan. StatCan’s … survey of employment and payroll counted at least 1,200 job losses in forestry, which include logging and supporting jobs, and at least 800 job losses in sawmills between December 2024 and December 2025. …“The worst was probably in the fourth quarter (of 2025) when the full bite of the duties hit, and then the (U.S.) tariffs,” said industry consultant Russ Taylor. “That’s when we saw a lot more of the jobs falling off.”
PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto) earned a pair of awards at the Toronto Construction Association’s (TCA) Best of the Best Awards. Presented at the TCA’s 158th Annual General Meeting, PCL was awarded Project Achievement Awards for the Kingsway College Senior School Phase 2 renovation and George Brown Polytechnic’s Limberlost Place. Creating a new era for George Brown Polytechnic students and faculty, Limberlost Place exemplifies what’s possible through collaboration, out-of-the-box thinking and a shared commitment to building a resilient future. The 10-storey mass timber, net-zero educational facility integrates first-of-its-kind solutions including the cross-laminated timber (CLT) slab band structural system and North America’s largest mass timber columns spanning three storeys. Early engagement from the entire team during the preconstruction phase was crucial to design development and determining constructability.
A cross-sector group of packaging producers, farmers, restaurants and grocers has filed a class action lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343, California’s controversial recycling labeling law. The coalition argues the legislation imposes unconstitutional restrictions on free speech, ultimately working against recycling participation programs by making it harder for consumers to understand what can and cannot go in the bin. At the heart of the complaint is SB 343’s prohibition on the use of widely recognized recycling symbols and claims, even when those claims are factually accurate, according to the suit. Under the law, producers cannot label packaging as recyclable unless it meets state-defined, “rigid” criteria that allegedly fails to reflect how recycling actually works. …“SB 343 establishes labeling standards that could discourage innovation and limit the ability to provide accurate recycling information to consumers,” the American Forest and Paper Association stated.
The wood industry produces enormous quantities of lignocellulosic by-products, such as sawdust, and their incineration for energy recovery results in substantial carbon emissions and the loss of valuable raw materials. Here, we introduce struvite as a fully recyclable inorganic binder for the consolidation of sawdust into high-performance hybrid materials. The mineral binder is produced in situ by an enzymatically induced solution-mediated phase transformation driven by ureolytic protein bodies extracted from watermelon seeds. The resulting material exhibits excellent fire resistance with a long time to ignition (51 ± 1 s), low peak heat release (118 ± 2 kW m−2), and fast flame self-extinction due to efficient char-layer formation. Moreover, it displays high compressive strength (4.71 ± 0.37 MPa). Crucially for sustainability, the struvite binder can be recovered under mild aqueous conditions without loss of performance, offering a valid path toward a circular materials economy.
GATINEAU, QC — Today, during Canada Water Week, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, is announcing the release of the National Freshwater Science Agenda, which aims to better align freshwater science and research efforts across Canada. The Science Agenda is the result of over two years of engagement efforts led by Environment and Climate Change Canada with input from more than 800 science experts, Knowledge Holders, experts, and science users across governments and sectors, Indigenous organizations, and Canada’s freshwater science community. It is grounded in Western science and Indigenous Knowledge and reflects the diverse scientific needs and perspectives that are relevant to partners and stakeholders across the country. It outlines interconnected themes including bridging, braiding, and weaving Indigenous science and Knowledge; water availability; land‑use stressors and water pollution; ecosystem resilience and biodiversity; socio‑ecological considerations; and economic research.
Daria Mykhailovych, a Sooke resident, has been raising awareness across Greater Victoria about a petition calling on the provincial government to strengthen protections for British Columbia’s remaining old-growth forests in hopes of encouraging more people to support it. …Originally from Ukraine, she said landscapes like those on Vancouver Island are rare elsewhere in the world. …The petition was launched in fall 2025 by two B.C. forest ecologists, Dr. Suzanne Simard, a professor at University of British Columbia, and independent ecologist Dr. Rachel Holt. Originally, the petition was started with a goal of getting 10,000 signatures. As of March, 16, the petition has received support from about 4,070 people. …“Our concern is that we’ve been cutting these forests at an unsustainable rate,” Simard said. “We wanted to raise awareness and encourage people to question whether the path we’re on is good for the people of British Columbia and for the forests themselves.”
BC Timber Sales is bringing forward an application to establish 17 new cut blocks on Crown land east of Okanagan Falls and Penticton. The application is being brought to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen on March 19 for support, as the proposed cut blocks are located within the boundaries of the Okanagan Falls electoral area. The 17 cut blocks total 494.7 hectares, and the proposal would also see road construction and road deactivation. The rehabilitation process for the roads would include tree replanting. The land is in an RDOS-designated resource area, and a staff report says the proposed cutblocks fall within watercourse development permit areas and “important ecosystem areas.” The advisory planning committee for Okanagan Falls gave its support to the application at its March 9 meeting, while requesting that any approval be subject to a full environmental assessment.
Columbia Basin organizations and residents are benefiting from $3 million in wildfire reduction funding through a partnership between the Province of British Columbia and Columbia Basin Trust, according to a March 17 funding announcement. The projects are guided by FireSmart principles and aim to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen local resilience. The practical projects range from managing wildfire fuels to educating residents. Actions include hiring FireSmart coordinators, preparing fuel-treatment plans, carrying out on-the-ground fuel management and providing FireSmart training. The program is tailored to the Columbia Basin and is part of B.C.’s Community Resiliency Investment Program. The Ministry of Forests, BC Wildfire Service and Columbia Basin Trust are partners in delivering this support.
Vermonters are weighing the impacts of a federal bill — the 
This week, we have yet another reminder that Idaho can’t possibly afford to take over or manage federal lands. A forthcoming study, which will be published Friday, provides the most recent reliable estimates of exactly how much Idaho would lose if it were to take over federal lands. The study, which was commissioned by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Idaho Business for the Outdoors, the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, and the Idaho Wildlife Federation, was performed by Peterson and Associates, which has long been a go-to source for economic analysis of this type in Idaho. While the full results won’t be released until Friday, the top-line figures are stark. Idaho would lose $837.7 million directly, in the form of spending by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies, as well as Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools payments. That’s nearly 16% of Idaho’s general fund budget.
Three organizations and an individual are suing the Gardiner District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest — for a plan they say hurts the already-endangered whitebark pine tree while ignoring lynx and grizzly habitat, and relying on unproven studies. The groups say the federal government is ignoring its rules and seems to be disregarding its own maps of protected lynx area in an effort to preserve the rare whitebark pine trees, despite admitting in its own documents that the efforts to preserve the trees could actually harm them. The lawsuit … centers on logging north of Yellowstone National Park. A technique, called “daylight thinning,” which involves removing trees near a whitebark pine, is not backed by scientific research according to the court documents, and the organizations point out that the Forest Service admits that in the process of thinning, it could actually wind up killing some of the whitebark pine trees. 
You have until Monday to provide input on the Trump administration’s plan to dramatically increase logging in western Oregon forests. Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management 
OREGON — 
A federal judge in Alaska 
At a commercial tree nursery near Evans, western Louisiana, pine seedlings are sprayed with a liquid extract teeming with hundreds of species of wild soil fungi. Brad Ouseman, the nursery manager, is confident he will see results from this fungal inoculation, which is intended to improve yields and reduce the need for artificial fertilisers. Colin Averill, the founder of Funga, the startup company that supplied the spray, likens the treatment to a faecal microbiome transplant for young pine trees. Funga treats young pine trees with wild microbes derived from the soils of thriving pine forests. “We’re taking the whole soil community,” Averill says. “As a result, we get all the complexity and all the interactions that come with it.” The goal: trees that grow fast, drawing down more carbon dioxide, with less reliance on artificial fertilisers. …“Our next big target is Douglas fir in the Pacific north-west,” says Averill.
WASHINGTON — The Carbon Business Council announced the launch of the Direct Storage of Biomass (DSB) Coalition, a new industry working group bringing together leading companies to advance understanding, credibility, and responsible deployment of direct biomass storage as a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) pathway. Direct storage of biomass, also referred to as terrestrial storage of biomass, involves durably storing organic material such as waste wood from forests, agricultural residues like corn stover, biochar, or other plant and biological matter. Storing these organic residues allow the carbon previously absorbed by the biomass to be durably locked out of the active carbon cycle. The biomass can be safely buried, stored deep underground in sealed reservoirs, wells or other containers. DSB can deliver durable atmospheric carbon removal while leveraging existing forestry, agricultural, and biomass-handling infrastructure. …The DSB Coalition is part of the Carbon Business Council’s broader initiative to scale carbon removal across air, land, rock, and water. 
The Tree Frog Forestry News encourages readers to check out the WorkSafeBC Spring 2026 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. The lead story has a strong focus on preventing “struck-by” incidents and improving safety around mobile equipment. It highlights how B.C. forest-product operations are redesigning worksites with engineered controls—such as barriers, walkways, and traffic systems—to better separate workers from moving equipment. Additional features include practical tools to help employers assess and control struck-by risks, along with guidance on roadside work planning and traffic management. The issue also tackles hearing safety, cautioning that personal audio devices are not a substitute for approved hearing protection. WorkSafeBC updates round out the edition, including a refreshed commercial fishing safety guide, clarified rules for reporting tips and gratuities, and progress on asbestos licensing and certification programs. Together, the issue emphasizes proactive planning, clear controls, and shared responsibility as key to safer workplaces across B.C.
New research has found that burning “smokeless” or low-smoke fuels may be causing new air pollution hazards on streets and in homes. Sold as alternatives to burning coal, wood and peat at home, tests reveal their smoke contains large quantities of tiny ultrafine particles, that can deposit themselves deep in our lungs. The findings were an accidental discovery while researchers were testing fuels in traditional and modern eco design stoves. As expected, burning alternative fuels, both smokeless coal ovoids and briquettes made from olive stones, produced less particle pollution compared with wood or coal. …For each kilogram burned, the low-smoke fuels produced between two and three times more ultrafine particles than wood or coal. …The size of the ultrafine particles means that they are deposited deep in the lungs, multiplying the health impact. In Dublin, the low smoke fuels accounted for more than half of ultrafine particles that can deposit in people’s lungs.