The US is proposing to restrict logging of old-growth forests but with exceptions to protect against wildfire, insects and disease. In related news: the USDA seeks input on its old-growth plan; the USDA updated its climate adaptation and forest resilience plans; BC’s land use agenda is said to put economic growth at risk; and the Swedish industry pans the recently-passed EU nature law. Meanwhile: Paper Excellence secures two CleanBC grants; and Espanola, Ontario is holding up six-months after Domtar closure.
In Forestry news: First Nations and FSC Canada encourage Quebec to support federal caribou protections; Mosaic Forest Management’s carbon credits are questioned; Ontario invests to protect against invasive species; and BC Forest Practices Board releases audit summary report. In Forest Product news: the 2024 Governor General’s Medals in Architecture emphasize wood; why timber is key to countering climate change; and Amazon shifts from plastic to recycled paper packaging.
Finally, former BC wildfire fighters worry safety at risk as experienced workers leave.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
British Columbia is an unusual place for several reasons. One is the outsized role land-based industries play in our economy. …Second is that the government owns and controls more than 90% of all land, although the Crown’s jurisdiction is limited by the legal rights of First Nations. Against this backdrop, over the past several months the David Eby government has unveiled a host of initiatives affecting land use and the management of natural resources. The extent of the proposed changes to laws, policies and regulatory frameworks, if enacted, will be highly consequential for industry, workers and resource-dependent communities, and will dampen real income growth. …While often well-intentioned, the province’s actions risk creating widespread uncertainty about the investment and operating environment for all land-based industries. And this comes at an inopportune time as B.C.’s economy is visibly sputtering, and the government’s fiscal position is deteriorating at a breathtaking pace.
Amazon is shifting from the plastic air pillows used for packaging in North America to recycled paper because it’s more environmentally sound, and it says paper just works better. The company said Thursday that it’s already replaced 95% of the plastic air pillows with paper filler in North America and is working toward complete removal by year’s end. …It is the company’s largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America to date and will remove almost 15 billion plastic air pillows from use annually. …The e-commerce giant has faced years of criticism about its use of plastic from environmental groups. …Amazon discovered through testing that the paper filler, which is made from 100% recyclable content and is curbside recyclable, offers the same, if not better protection during shipping compared with plastic air pillows, the company said.vChristian Garcia said that the paper filler is easier to work with and gives staff more space.
OTTAWA, ON
In 2022, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from building operations and construction hit a new high, rising to 10 gigatonnes, according to a 
In 2009, Waugh Thistleton Architects oversaw the completion of Murray Grove, a nine-storey residential block with a superstructure of cross-laminated timber (CLT). …However … many argue that structural timber became a perceived risk in the post-Grenfell legislative review. In 2022 the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ruled – after a period of consultation – that structural timber was approved for use within the external walls of buildings between 11 and 18 metres. …using structural timber has once again become a focal topic. So much so, the task of de-risking the material and changing perception both inside and out of the profession is well under way. …Founder and Director of Waugh Thistleton, Anthony Thistleton-Smith, says there is a huge appetite to building in timber…. And not just for the carbon savings – further potential advantages include speed of construction, safety with deliveries, impact on local environments and – in his opinion – higher quality buildings.
Montréal, Canada – Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada acknowledges the recent announcement by the Government of Canada regarding the emergency decree aimed at protecting boreal caribou populations in Val-d’Or, Charlevoix, and Pipmuacan. “The conservation of habitat for woodland caribou is not just about caribou; it’s about the health and biodiversity of the entire Canadian boreal forest,” says Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Canada president Francois Dufresne. “Woodland caribou are an important umbrella species. Healthy populations provide a clear indication that the forests can support biodiversity. FSC strongly believes that industry and caribou protection measures can co-exist.” FSC encourages the Quebec government to collaborate meaningfully with the federal government and is open to offering their support and subject matter expertise to help Quebec achieve the goals of the Federal Caribou Recovery Strategy. Consultation and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples must also be core to any government strategy.
VICTORIA – The BC Forest Practices Board has published its comprehensive summary report detailing the audit findings from 2018 to 2022. This special report encapsulates the results of 43 audits conducted over the five-year period, highlighting trends, compliance levels, and areas needing improvement across British Columbia’s diverse forest and range management practices. Key Highlights from the 2018-2022 Audit Summary Report:
YORK REGION —The Ontario government is investing $16 million over three years to protect the economy and environment from the threat of invasive species. The grant funding will help … stop invasive species from establishing or spreading in the province. “Invasive species are threaten biodiversity and have a negative impact on our economy,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources. “This investment [will protect] critical industries as well as our natural environment.” …In 2019, the Invasive Species Centre estimated that the potential impacts of invasive species to agricultural, fisheries, forestry, health care, tourism and the recreation industry may be as high as $3.6 billion per year in Ontario. To further prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in the province, Ontario recently 
VIDEO STORY: Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey provides an update on the forest fire burning in the Churchill Falls area. He is joined at the news conference in St. John’s by Forestry Minister Elvis Loveless and NL Hydro President and CEO Jennifer Williams.