In Canada, over 300 million hectares of boreal forest stretches from Yukon all the way through the northern half of the provinces, east towards Newfoundland. The boreal forest is home to half the nation’s species of birds, and 3.7 million people. As our climate changes, this great expanse of cold forest is getting warmer. Average temperatures across the Prairies are 1.9C warmer since the mid-20th century, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Winters are getting shorter and milder overall. Summers are getting hotter with not enough moisture to compensate for the heat. Though some of these changes may seem small, they have big impacts on our local ecosystems, including the boreal forest. So what will happen to this beacon of Canadian wilderness as our climate continues to change? Will it survive? Scientists say we are already seeing a shift.
We are extending our second public comment period for the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. The
VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board has released its 2021-22 annual report, which provides a summary of the board’s work in each of its program areas. The annual report also highlights strategic accomplishments, including work on Indigenous engagement and reconciliation, and the introduction of changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act, a number of which reflect past board recommendations. The annual report details the past year’s achievements, including: 12 reports published; three audits; seven published complaint investigations; two special reports; and seven new recommendations were made in two reports. An update on the board’s special projects is also featured in the annual report, highlighting special reports on water, and recreation. Included in each summary are the opportunities for improvement recommended by the board, based on that project. In addition, the upcoming special report Landscape Fire Management, is also featured as the board look toward future special projects.
It’s been 20 days since the last significant rainfall in the capital region and the millions of trees around our homes, streets and parks are starting to feel some of the stresses of drought. “Trees like a cycle of moisture and dryness,” said aborist Dan Sharp of Davey Tree Experts — typically, they regulate the uptake of water and nutrients to ensure their own health. But during extended dry periods, the movement of nutrients can slow and even stop. The tree can suffer and temperatures in its canopy can rise… Sharp recommends a good soaking for larger trees about every 10 days to two weeks …The Western red cedar — B.C.’s provincial tree — struggles in dry conditions, showing signs of “flagging,” or browning of its foliage. Over the years, large stands have died off on the east coast of the Island, although it does much better on the Island’s west coast.
Drawing on funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that $1 billion is now being offered through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program to assist at-risk communities. “Insight and guidance from the communities most at risk for catastrophic wildfires helps us mitigate those risks more effectively,” Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said. …This new program will provide competitive grants for the next five years, using federal funds to support the planning and mitigation of wildfire risks. Tribal communities, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies, and Alaska Native corporations will all be able to apply for individual grants of up to $250,000 to create and update community wildfire protection plans or conduct outreach and education. They will also be able to apply for up to $10 million for associated infrastructure and resilience project support.
Four main reasons that California and other Western states are particularly prone to deadly blazes, which are intensifying as the world warms. All fires need fuel and a spark. In the West, fuel is plenty, with flammable pine needles, shrubs and grasses that can ignite easily. And while the region’s dry vegetation has always made it prone to fires, climate change is 
WASHINGTON — The House on Friday approved wide-ranging legislation aimed at helping communities in the West cope with increasingly severe wildfires and drought — fueled by climate change — that have caused billions of dollars of damage to homes and businesses in recent years. The measure combines 49 separate bills and would increase firefighter pay and benefits; boost resiliency and mitigation projects for communities affected by climate change; protect watersheds; and make it easier for wildfire victims to get federal assistance. “Across America the impacts of climate change continue to worsen, and in this new normal, historic droughts and record-setting wildfires have become all too common,” said Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., the bill’s chief co-sponsor. Colorado has suffered increasingly devastating wildfires in recent years, including the Marshall fire last year that caused more than $513 million in damage and destroyed nearly 1,100 homes and structures in Boulder County.
Greenville, SC – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) announced today the membership of their recently formed Forest and Wood Products Inclusion Council, an initiative to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the forest sector. The Inclusion Council was formed to bring forest sector leaders together with experts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to address racial and gender inequities in the sector. The Council includes representatives from public, private, not-for-profit, academic, and Indigenous organizations in the forest sector. Led by the Endowment, the initiative draws upon the expertise of Katie Fernholz at Dovetail Partners, Bethaney Wilkinson at the Diversity Gap, and Kelly Cooper at the Centre for Social Intelligence. Together, this group of sector leaders will work collaboratively within their spheres of influence and develop a National Action Plan that aims to establish a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture in the U.S. forest and wood products sector. 
