Sustainable Forestry
A Global IssueIndustry InitiativesThe Evolution of Forest PolicySustainability in OntarioForest Management Planning and the PublicA Measure of Success (Independent Audits)Sustainabl Forest CertificationTrees are an abundant, renewable resource that can continue to supply the world demand for wood and paper products—as long as we manage the forest sustainably. Among other things, that means regenerating all harvested areas, maintaining the diversity of plant and animal species, and protecting the quality of soil and water. It is a way of working now to ensure the future health and productivity of Ontario's forest resource.
A Global Issue
To put this issue in context, sustainable forestry is an important part of sustainable development, which has been defined as development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Put simply, sustainable development means finding a way to balance the economic and social needs of a growing world population with the need for a healthy environment.
Although individual countries are responsible for managing their own forest resources, the need for sustainability is very much an international concern. In addition to their many other values, forests play an essential
role in the health of this planet. They help to regulate the climate and, as such, are part of the effort to understand and respond to global warming trends. They prevent soil erosion and have a direct, positive impact on the quality of air and water. As habitat, they are also key to maintaining biodiversity—which is the combined diversity of genes, species and ecosystems worldwide.
In Canadian forests alone, there are:
more than 130 tree species
more than 4,000 other plant species
almost 200 mammal species
nearly 580 kinds of birds
more than 80 different reptile and amphibian species
close to 48,000 known species of insects and invertebrates
Internationally, Canada was instrumental in the development of a United Nations convention on biodiversity—a legally binding document that, as of May 2001, was signed by 180 countries. We are currently active in efforts that range from defining and measuring progress toward sustainability, to promoting an international forest convention and sustainable forestry certification.
Industry Initiatives
In very broad terms, managing the forest sustainably means making sure that when an area is harvested, a new forest will grow—and that the new stand will be as healthy and full of life as the one that exists today. It also means harvesting only as much timber as the forest can produce each year, something that is regulated through a system of Annual Allowable Cuts. In addition to a wide range of government policies and regulations,
members of the OFIA adhere—as a condition
of membership—to their own Code of Forest Practices. Based on the goals of sustainable development and progressive forest management, the Code was developed in 1992 by a group that included industry as well as representatives from the academic, environmental, labour and native communities. The Code underwent an independent, third party review in 1996, and has since been updated to meet the changing dynamics of Ontario's forest industry.
By complying with the Code, member companies go beyond their legal requirements, addressing not only their forest management practices, but areas such as health and safety, openness and accountability to the public. Each member is responsible for developing and implementing operating procedures based on the Code, although these documents may also address local issues, the requirements of government policy and legislation, etc. Companies re-confirm their commitment every year, and are subject annually to independent, third party audits. By communicating these activities, we hope to encourage employee pride and public confidence in the industry, and to increase awareness and understanding of forest management in Ontario. Another objective is to ensure that responsible decisions are made now and in the future, based on common sense and sound science, which contribute to the long-term health of the resource.
The Evolution of Forest Policy
Canada is a recognized leader in sustainable forest management. In 1989, with the understanding that a healthy future forest depends on our ability to practice sustainable forestry now, the federal government passed the Canadian Forestry Act, which required the Ministry of Forestry to promote sustainable development. This Act became the cornerstone of the 1992 National Forest Strategy—a five-year plan that embodied the goal of sustainability. The Strategy was, in turn, supported by the Canadian Forest Accord, which was signed by federal, provincial and territorial ministers as well as non-government organizations.
In 1995, the federal government released its Framework for Sustainable Forest Management, a document developed by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers with participation from the industry and other stakeholders. The framework is based on the following four principles:
• Canadian forests must be managed as ecosystems in order to maintain their natural processes.
• It is important to recognize that forests simultaneously provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits to Canadians.
• An informed, aware and involved public is important for promoting sustainable forest management.
• Forest management must continue to evolve to reflect the best available knowledge and information.
The framework also identifies key elements of sustainability, including the need to conserve biodiversity, maintain the health and productivity of forest ecosystems, and protect soil and water resources.
Sustainability in Ontario
In Ontario, almost three quarters of the landbase—or about 78.9 million hectares—is forested. Of that, about 91% is Crown land, owned by the public and held in trust by the provincial government. Private citizens own about 6.6 million hectares, and the federal government owns close to 340,000 hectares.
In keeping with the federal framework, companies that operate on Crown lands in Ontario must adhere to a provincial Policy Framework for Sustainable Forests.
This framework includes the following principles for sustainability:
• Large, healthy, diverse and productive forests are essential to the environmental, economic, social and cultural well-being of Ontario, both now and in the future.
• Forest practices—including all methods of harvesting—must emulate, within the bounds of silvicultural requirements, natural disturbances and landscape patterns.
• Forest practices must minimize adverse effects on soil, water, remaining vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and other values.
The Ontario framework also includes these strategic objectives:
• To ensure that current biological diversity of forests is not significantly changed and, where necessary and practical, is restored.
• To establish and maintain representative, protected forest lands as part of Ontario's natural heritage.
• To manage the forests of Ontario to conserve and enhance the quality of water, air and soil.
Provincially, the forest industry also adheres to the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, which provides for the regulation of (among other things) forest management planning, public involvement, forestry operations, licensing, regeneration, and processing facilities such as sawmills. According to the Act, anyone who conducts forestry operations on Crown lands must manage for the long-term health of the resource. Companies are guided by the Forest Management Planning Manual, a legally binding document that seeks to ensure an integrated and balanced approach to forest use.
In Ontario, forest activities on Crown lands are also subject to the Environmental Assessment Act. Based on the authority of this Act, an environmental assessment of timber management was initiated in the late 1980s. Through a consultation process that included province-wide public hearings, the Environmental Assessment Board spent more than four years scrutinizing Ontario's forest management practices. The result was a report that reflected both approval of and respect for the industry's efforts, while also stipulating terms and conditions for improvement. The Board called the success of regeneration encouraging, and stressed the fact that nowhere did members see "wastelands or biological deserts as the public fears."
More recently, the Lands for Life consultation process focused on the use of Crown lands, and led to Ontario's Living Legacy strategy and the Ontario Forest Accord. As part of Ontario's Living Legacy, the government announced the creation of 378 new parks and protected areas—totaling 2.4 million hectares and increasing the total protected area in Ontario to 9.5 million hectares. Put simply, the Accord is a blueprint for determining the best way to implement the strategy, while addressing the needs of the forest industry. (For more detailed information on the strategy and Accord, click here.
Forest Management Planning and the Public
It takes a lot of planning to make sure that forests are managed in a way that protects the long-term health of the resource. In Ontario, Crown lands available for harvest are divided into management units—each of which must have a Forest Management Plan. Following strict guidelines, each Plan describes how the forest will be managed for timber while at the same time protecting values such as fish and wildlife habitat, old growth forests, etc. Plans cover a 20-year period, with the first five described in detail. A new Plan must be put in place at the end of five years.
Forest Management Plans are developed by teams that include professional foresters, as well as other experts such as wildlife biologists and forest ecologists. They also benefit from direct public involvement. As an example, planning teams may include a member from the Local Citizens' Committee. Proposed by the industry during the Timber Management Environmental Assessment, Local Citizens' Committees must now legally be established for every Ministry of Natural Resources district or management unit. These Committees represent local interests, such as those of the tourism industry, anglers and hunters, the native community and naturalists. In addition to these Committees, the general public is given several formal opportunities to present ideas and concerns, and to review draft Plans. It is the job of the planning team to invite input by notifying interested organizations in writing and placing ads in local media. In general, it takes more than two years to complete a Forest Management Plan.
A Measure of Success
The industry is proud of its forest management practices and has long been in favour of independent audits as a way to evaluate its performance.
In 1992, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources released the results of the first independent audit on the status of forest regeneration. The audit committee examined 1,500 sites harvested between 1970 and 1985 and found that none had been converted to unproductive, barren conditions. According to the committee, "the apparently widely held impression that the boreal forest is being deforested is erroneous."
The Ontario forest industry currently harvests about 210,000 hectares each year, which is 0.6% of the area managed primarily for growing timber. Since the industry is committed to promptly and successfully regenerating all harvested land, we are confident that Ontario's forest resource can continue to meet the needs of society, while being managed on a sustainable basis, for the many generations to come.
Independent, third party audits are now a requirement both of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and the terms and conditions set out by the Timber Management Environmental Assessment Board.
Sustainable Forest Certification
In recent years, it has become clear that companies must do more than practice sustainable forestry. They must demonstrate the success of their efforts in the international marketplace. Sustainable forest certification is one way to achieve this goal, and a number of different programs now exist.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)is an international, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Its trademark identifies products derived from forests managed to internationally recognized social and environmental standards.
A second source of certification is the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) , which developed its own national standards for sustainable forest management. Known as CAN/CSA Z808 and Z809, these standards build on the criteria and critical elements in the federal Framework for Sustainable Forest Management (see above). The CSA program allows companies to certify that the forests under their care meet rigorous standards for sustainable forest management—through inspection and verification by independent auditors.
A third option is the international ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard, which some consider an interim step toward CSA certification. Many companies have already achieved ISO certification for their mills, and view the extension to their forest operations as a logical progression. The CSA standard is compatible with ISO 14001, but goes further in areas such as public participation and performance measurement.
Sustainable forestry certification has already proven beneficial. Among other things, companies report that it has enabled them to translate policies and words into concrete actions, reduced the risk of accidental environmental impacts, introduced systematic third party audits which bring credibility to the claim that forests are being well managed, and resulted in continual improvement of both the environmental management system and environmental performance.
