SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
Canada is recognized as a leader in sustainable forest management and resource stewardship. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial government is responsible for regulating and managing the resource. NLFIA members work with government to ensure Our Forests are protected and managed responsibly, to ensure they are maintained for future generations.
As stewards of the forest, our member companies are committed to the sustainable use of Our Forests. Sustainable forest management provides for the long-term health of forests while providing social and economic benefits for our residents.
The Forestry Act
The Forestry Act and its associated regulations outline the province's responsibility for the management, protection, and use of the forest resources of the province.
The act gives power to the Forest Service and directs the department in such responsibilities as:
- preparing timber management plans;
- maintaining an up-to-date inventory of the province’s timber resources;
- construction and maintenance of forest access roads;
- the protection of forests from fire, insects and disease;
- the carrying out of programs for afforestation, reforestation, and tree improvement; and
- the cutting, classifying, measuring, manufacturing, marking and inspection of trees and timber.
Forest Management Planning
In Newfoundland and Labrador, as part of the forest management planning process, the Forestry Act requires an overarching, 10-year Sustainable Forest Management Strategy. The purpose of the strategy is to set a vision and goal for the management of the forest resources. The strategy is meant to define the current nature and extent of the resource, identify and mitigate conflicting values, and outline development strategies for potential growth and innovation.
In addition to the 10-year strategy, five-year operating plans and annual work schedules are also required by the Forestry Act. The five-year plan outlines where detailed forestry activities (e.g. timber harvesting, planting, thinning and road construction) will occur on the land base and annual work schedules break this down further, by year.
As part of the forest management planning process, government must provide opportunities for members of the public, governments of the province and Canada and other sector stakeholders to provide input and respond to concerns respecting the local environmental effects of forestry activity.
To find out more about sustainable forest management in Newfoundland and Labrador click here!