Victoria, BC—The Canadian Tree Nursery Association-Association Canadienne des Pépinières Forestières (CTNA-ACPF) released a new report, “The Economic Value of Canada’s Tree Nursery Sector,” at the Western Forestry Contractors Association (WFCA) conference. Conducted by Green Analytics, this analysis is the first of its kind, detailing the sector’s economic contributions from the annual production of 726 million seedlings. The report was developed to provide decision makers with insights into the significant economic and environmental impacts of this vital industry and the collaborative efforts needed to meet Canada’s future forest restoration challenges. The report reveals that Canada’s tree nursery sector generates $256.3 million in annual revenue, contributes $535.4 million to the gross domestic product, and supports 4,378 full-time equivalent jobs in predominately rural communities nationwide. …these figures highlight the critical role that tree nurseries play in forest restoration efforts, ecological sustainability, and rural economic resilience.
Additional coverage: Half of Canada’s tree seedlings grown in B.C., finds report – Stefan Labbé, Business in Vancouver
Mattawa, ON – The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC) is excited to announce that the 2026 National Conference and 118th Annual General Meeting will take place in Calgary, Alberta, from October 5-8, 2026. This landmark event, hosted in collaboration with the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the CIF-IFC Rocky Mountain Section, will unite forestry professionals, practitioners, and students from across North America and beyond under the theme, “Leading from where we are for a brighter future.” The event will showcase the leaders of today and empower the leaders of tomorrow to begin acting now to make the world they want to see. …The Conference will serve as a platform to address pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable forestry and natural resources management while highlighting innovative approaches to ensure a vibrant and resilient future for forests globally.
How FSC is using Google Earth Engine to monitor forest degradation and support EUDR compliance: The Forest Stewardship Council is leveraging cutting-edge technology to better monitor and protect the world’s forests. 
One of the biggest policy changes needed in B.C. is to forestry policy. B.C. policy for the last 50 years has resulted in a rapid clear-cutting of a large part of our forests even as all the research indicates that: Within a 60-80 year time span, only 20-30 per cent of forests can be cut in any one area without harming the hydrological cycle. On this basis, most BC commercial forests have been severely over-cut making a mockery of the Annual Allowable Cut. …Clear-cutting results in increased risk of forest fires up to 30 years when replanted. …Re-planting is a form of green-washing giving companies cover for the forest damage they do. …Due to the increase in forest fires partially due to logging, BC forests have [become a] carbon source. …The Power of Forests: Protecting Communities and Nature with a New Forest Act effort was launched by the 
This is the beginning of convention season and that means many opportunities to learn, connect, and hear from government officials, project partners, and community organizations about problems, policies, and possibilities for the sector. The mood, thus far, is introspective, with reviews planned for BC Timber Sales and the forest sector in general. …At FESBC, we are reviewing applications for funding over the next two years. Demand for funding currently far exceeds supply. In this newsletter: A safety tip from the BC Forest Safety Council; Faces of Forestry features Erin McLeod; Information on FESBC’s 2025-27 second round of funding; Impact and benefits of the Pressy Lake Pilot Project; Nakusp & Area Community Forest’s wildfire risk reduction projects; and a podcast feature from the University of Northern British Columbia Forestry Club.
…changes in climate are expected to drive wildlife seeking refuge up mountains and further north. But for trees… the changes in climate are often coming too fast to get out of the way, especially when combined with pressures from logging, said Suzanne Simard, a professor in the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry. …In a new study published in Global Change Biology, Simard and her UBC colleagues took three-year-old interior Douglas fir seedlings from locations in southern B.C. and planted them as far north as Fort St. James, the northern limit of the species’ range … to find out how the trees would handle the human-assisted migration, and if they would do better in a colder climate. …As early as 2006, University of Alberta researcher Andreas Hamann published a study that concluded climate change could push the range of B.C.’s tree species north at a rate of 100 kilometres per decade. 
VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board has completed its audit of BC Timber Sales (BCTS) and Timber Sale Licence (TSL) holders in the Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District. A compliance audit examined all forestry planning and activities carried out in the area between May 1, 2022, and May 31, 2024. The parties complied with most legislative requirements with two exceptions. Auditors found BCTS was not diligent in inspecting approximately 90 kilometres of its roads and structures in its Sewell Inlet operating area. …Following the audit, BCTS inspected these roads … and has committed to working with the Ministry of Forests and the Haida Nation to develop road deactivation plans as needed. …Auditors found all three TSL holders audited had abated fire hazards within the required period. However, two TSL holders did not complete the required number of fire-hazard assessments and did not conduct fuel-hazard assessments on time. This is considered an area requiring improvement…
A new University of British Columbia study has pinpointed strategies to help local forests adapt to climate change. …the eight-year study found ways forest ecosystems can be better prepared for the climate threat, with a focus on mitigating the loss of the Douglas fir tree. …professor and co-author of the study Suzanne Simard, said the project looked at the process of relocating Douglas firs that are already adapted to dry, hot weather, further north. …Opting for a two-pronged approach, researchers also explored how various routes of harvesting and regenerating forests would affect the migrated seedlings’ attempt to grow in the face of climate change. Researchers tried various avenues, from clear-cutting to retaining larger densities of the tallest Douglas fir trees, said Simard.
The B.C. government has tasked new Forest Minister Ravi Parmar with reviewing its lead timber agency, B.C. Timber Sales. The Jan. 15 news release announcing the review, and Premier David Eby’s mandate letter to Parmar, both downplay the environment in favour of the business side of forestry… There is no mention of watersheds, biodiversity, wildlife, and climate change in either the news release announcing the review or in the mandate letter, which mentions old growth once in passing. Asked why it is not mentioned in the above six reasons for the BCTS review, or in Eby’s mandate letter, Parmar said, “I’m fully committed to fulfilling my obligations on the old growth action plan. … Biodiversity, taking care of our lands, being good stewards of our land, is critical to me, and it’s going to be a huge part of this review.”
Five efforts in Northern Ontario are receiving a total of $2.7 million in federal funding to work on climate change adaptation projects. Four of these projects are based in Sudbury and one is in Mattawa, and they include such things as creating educational programming and climate change adaptation plans. Wednesday’s funding comes from a greater pool of 
MONTREAL – With wildfires increasing in frequency and severity across Canada — impacting our health, economies, communities and wildlife — the Governments of Canada and Quebec are supporting Canadians and residents of Quebec whose lives and livelihoods are at stake. Natural Resources Canada announced a joint investment of $64 million over three years through the Government of Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program – Equipment Fund. This joint investment is supporting Quebec’s efforts to purchase wildfire firefighting equipment, such as vehicles, drones and telecommunications equipment. By buying and upgrading equipment and hiring and training more personnel, Quebec will be better prepared to respond to wildfires and provide support when other regions in Canada experience high fire activity.
Kenneth A. Margolis, New York — Who says bipartisanship is dead? President Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have found common ground. Both seem determined to cripple the rebuilding effort in Los Angeles.
…some electric utilities and cooperatives are urging the Senate to seal the deal on the “Fix Our Forests Act” that aims to expedite some federal approvals and reduce wildfire risk overall. The legislation …establishes requirements for managing forests on federal land, including reducing wildfire, expediting certain forest management projects, and implementing forest management projects and activities. …The legislation prohibits courts from immediately halting a project unless they determine that the person suing to stop it “is likely to succeed on the merits” of the case if the lawsuit gets a full hearing. …The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association applauded the bill, arguing it would make it easier for electric cooperatives to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and called on the Senate to also pass the bill. …Pacific Gas & Electric “supports legislation that would expedite permitting and approvals and reduce barriers to the essential work of keeping powerlines clear of vegetation.”
PORTLAND, Ore. – The United States Forest Service (USFS) is currently taking comments on its proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) through March 17. The NWFP dates back to the mid-1990s, serving as the blueprint for conserving forests and wildlife habitat along the West Coast. It covers over 24 million acres managed by the Forest Service and other federally managed lands, spanning from California and up through Washington. The proposed amendments intend to provide an updated management framework that incorporates best available scientific information and current conditions in order to better address the social, economic, and ecological changes experienced over the last 30 years. The proposed changes outlined in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement focus on themes of fire resilience, economic benefits, and forest stewardship, with Tribal inclusion and adapting to changing conditions interwoven throughout these themes.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana produces 70% more forests than it is cutting down. The Forestry Association is trying to encourage industry to utilize those resources, including renewable fuel makers. The state has been working on reforestation closely since the 1940s when the issue of losing critical timber came to a head. With paper mills closing up shop over the years, Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen said the state is nearing a forest level that will be hard to manage against disease and wildfires. Vandersteen talked about four mills that are in the works of opening in some of the northern parishes in the state. Those companies harvest the larger trees for hardwood. Smaller brush and trees offer an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive. …With the Trump administration … undoing the push towards renewable energy, there is a question of how this will impact the industry in Louisiana.
Controlled burns are a key to Georgia’s strategy of preventing the kind of wildfires that are devastating the Los Angeles area… The fires in LA, fueled by historic drought and powerful Santa Ana winds, have raised questions about the vulnerabilities of other communities, particularly as human development spreads into wildlands. More frequent and more costly natural disasters, such as wildfires, have also contributed to surging home insurance costs nationwide. …Georgia lately has been averaging about 1,200 wildfires a year — a historical low, said Johnny Sabo, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, which issues permits for controlled burns under proper conditions. He credited the state’s overall response and management for preventing most of those fires from getting out of hand. In Georgia, more than 90% of the state’s woodlands are in private hands, including commercial timberland that generates billions in economic impact each year, according to the forestry commission.
An international survey of frogs and toads has revealed that global warming and drought are more likely to affect the animals in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforests. The 