Toronto — A new study published today in Conservation Science & Practice reveals up to 3.9 million hectares of converted land in Canada that, if restored, are expected to benefit biodiversity and climate. The study comes at a pivotal time, as the Canadian government has committed to 2030 restoration targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to restoring 19 million hectares of degraded and deforested land under the Bonn Challenge by 2030. …For the first time, WWF-Canada and its academic researcher partners have attempted to answer the question: Which converted lands in Canada have the greatest potential to provide benefit for both wildlife and climate, if restored from human uses to their natural states? …This study identifies areas where the restoration of converted lands could provide maximum biodiversity and carbon storage benefits.
A federal parliamentary committee has passed a motion to investigate the ownership structure and business relations of the B.C.-based forestry company Paper Excellence. The motion, passed in Ottawa Friday in an in-camera meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, called on Paper Excellence owner Jackson Wijaya and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne to testify before the committee. …The probe comes following a months-long journalistic investigation conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). That investigation revealed a nexus of links between Paper Excellence and Asia Pulp and Paper, a conglomerate environmental groups allege has been responsible for widespread deforestation, human rights abuses and conflicts with Indigenous communities. Both companies say they are independent of one another. …Paper Excellence said it…“welcomes the opportunity to answer questions from the committee”.
…Justine Karst, an associate professor in the department of renewable resources at the University of Alberta, doesn’t think that the vast array of interconnected fungal networks underground (wood-wide-web) are as beneficial to trees as other research has shown. …Karst … found that almost 50 per cent of papers that cite older studies are making an inaccurate statement. “We don’t want to be relying on misinformation to be making policy or management decisions on forests, so there’s that level of why there’s a concern.” She added that this research is useful for the management, policy creation, conservation, restoration, and protection of forests. To do these things correctly, Karst believes that “we want to have the most solid science available to us.” …Karst’s immediate plans involve focusing on reorienting the field of mycorrhizal research, and possibly giving talks and lectures to inform people about the impacts and importance of this research.
Registration for the BC First Nations Forestry Conference is now open! The forest sector is changing and we are uniquely positioned to ensure our legacy: a healthy forest ecosystem. Together, we can move towards a place where the land is central to the cultural, spiritual, environmental, economic and social lives of its caretakers. A program overview is also available, with more information on specific speakers, details of each session, and more information about the golf fundraiser to come. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor, please download the sponsorship information.
With an investment of $8.9 million over three years, the Government of B.C. is partnering with First Nations representatives to develop the first training initiative that will support co-management of land and resources. This year, the Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative will be co-developed with First Nations and will support the StrongerBC Future Ready plan to make post-secondary education and skills training more affordable and accessible. “Since time immemorial, First Nations have been stewards of the water, land and wildlife in B.C., and Guardians play a crucial and growing role in stewarding those lands and resources today,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “We’ve heard from First Nations there is a need for more supports and access to training for Guardians, and we are taking action to make that happen.” ‘‘Guardians” are trained members of First Nations who undertake stewardship activities on the land base.
In November Premier David Eby promised “accelerated action” on implementing the Old Growth Strategic Review’s recommendations. I had high hopes the decades of overcutting primary forests were nearing their end. Just lip service? Well, the B.C. NDP commissioned it and has failed to act meaningfully 100+ days into his leadership and 2.5+ years into the Review’s recommended timeline. Weren’t old growth deferrals meaningful? Yes, mostly. Problem is, many indigenous nations were displeased about being asked after the fact, so the laying down of the plan was flawed before it started. …The ecosystems contained in the Walker, the Goat, Raush watersheds-each with at-risk species-should be protected. By pressuring the province and feds to immediately provide local indigenous nations and communities economic incentives to protect these valleys, we locals can at least lead here, providing some degree of certainty for the unborn generations to come. 
NORTHERN ONTARIO — It may not look like it, but wildfire season officially began April 1. Fire information officer Evan Lizotte, with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) northeast forest fire management centre, said the province has action plans ready to battle blazes. That is, once the snow melts. Lizotte said it’s shaping up to be another slow season, potentially comparable to last year. “(In 2022), we only had 275 fires that burned 2,560 hectares, which is a very, relatively slow season for us,” said Lizotte. “However, the season before that, in 2021, there was over 1,200 fires that burned 780,000 hectares. …The ministry is looking to hire more fire rangers, he said, extending its hiring window to mid-May.
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WASHINGTON — The US Administration announced that $33.7 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will fund projects to strengthen the wood products economy and promote sustainable forest management. …“Healthy forests depend on a healthy forest products industry and as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis, it is more important than ever to invest in sustainable forest management across all lands,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These investments will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, support existing jobs, and create new economic opportunities in tribal and economically disadvantaged communities.” The announcement provides $29 million to establish, reopen, or improve businesses that purchase and process these byproducts from projects on lands at risk of wildfire, insects and disease. …In addition to supporting wood processing facilities, $4.7 million will fund temporary water crossing for skidders and other heavy forestry equipment.
…Once viewed as an overseas oddity, the bidet has exploded in popularity over the past three years. Retailers report sales leaping tenfold during the pandemic, and remaining strong. The vast majority of Americans still exclusively use toilet paper, though. …Bidets are now within reach of every American: Simple versions can be had for just $30. For the world’s northern forests, that’s great news. …Should you join these new converts? There are three reasons for taking the plunge: the environment, savings and performance. The main one is to reduce clear-cutting mature forests. Every year, Americans flush the equivalent of millions of trees down the toilet. Much of this toilet paper comes from trees logged in Canada’s species-rich boreal forests. …One day, we may come to see wiping our bums with extra-soft toilet paper from virgin forests as we do smoking cigarettes: mainly a good idea for the people who sell the products. [to access the full story a Washington Post subscription is required]
ARIZONA — The government’s misleading you. The Forest Service is dawdling. The towns and counties are in denial. And the wildfire danger’s growing. Once the lush grasses of a wet winter dry out – we’ll be back to… another frightening fire season. A cascade of new research and investigation has once again underscored the stubborn failure of the Forest Service, towns, counties and the state government to adapt to the new era of high-intensity, forest-replacing, town destroying wildfires. …So the Forest Service has largely embraced the need to thin the forest and returning the natural fire regime. Congress has upped the budget for forest restoration projects – and the Forest Service puts out frequent reports on the number of acres thinned and the acres treated with of prescribed burns and managed fires. But you can’t really believe the numbers, according to the federal auditor general – and an investigation by NBC news.
SEATTLE — Small logging farmers in Washington state are waging a battle with the state Forest Practices Board that controls logging on private land. It involves state regulations enforcing excessively large buffers that the farmers are required to maintain next to area streams. Buffers stabilize riverbanks, hold back sediment and farm chemicals, and protect fish and other animals. A parallel battle is taking place against efforts by Gov. Jay Inslee to impose new and similarly large mandatory buffers on agricultural farmland statewide. The Washington Farm Forestry Association, which represents thousands of small tree farmers and forestland owners, spent eight years building its case that well-managed 50- to 75-foot buffers, rather than the state required 90- to 200-foot buffers, will be just as effective at protecting fish and water, while allowing farmers access to more of their land for harvesting. …Landowners who don’t plant and maintain buffers would face fines of up to $10,000 per day. 
The Lolo National Forest is moving ahead with a logging, forest thinning and prescribed burning project west of Missoula after responding to environmental groups’ concerns. The Sawmill-Petty Project includes 5,321 acres of logging — including 1,342 of clear-cut — and 11,558 acres of thinning and prescribed burning, sometimes in combination, for a total of 16,879 acres of work. The work is scattered across a slew of individual units west of Missoula and south of Interstate 90, from the Corral Creek drainage southwest of Frenchtown, through Alberton and almost to Tarkio. The project area extends from I-90 and the Clark Fork River on the north, southward up the Sawmill and Petty Creek drainages, and up to the heights of South Fork Petty Creek drainage. …The decision Tuesday noted that the project was modified after objections from environmental groups concerned about the impacts of logging and road-building on wildlife, including the federally protected grizzly bear and bull trout. 
FRANCE — Sustainable forestry is the response to damaging ecological practices, but many believe it is a myth because the negative environmental impacts outweigh the positive ones. While it is true that some industries can be damaging to the environment, there are plenty of ways to counteract that with positive behaviors. Sustainable forestry is achievable if people give forests the proper care they deserve. …Many areas worldwide face issues created by unsustainable forestry. …Logging, pesticide use and improper waste disposal can negatively affect forests. Sustainable forestry detects and responds to environmental threats. …One of the most important aspects of sustainable forestry is harvesting. Wood is a replenishable resource, but only when people replant it. Loggers have to plant new growth to maintain balance in the forest. They can also sustainably harvest trees if they cut them selectively. …Sustainable forestry is not a myth; it is possible. 