As delegates gather in Ottawa to attend Nature Canada’s climate solutions summit, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and Forests Ontario issued a joint statement signalling the support of Canada’s renewable forest sector to advance nature-based solutions to help fight climate change.
“Sustainable forest management and Canadian-made forest products help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are important tools to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate,” said FPAC’s President and CEO, Derek Nighbor. “With nearly forty percent of Canada’s working forest across the boreal under some kind of conservation measure, our world-leading approach to forest management is rooted in conservation – from set asides for wildlife habitat to buffers around streams and wetlands to conservation areas where rare plants and ecosystems grow. As Canada’s forests face patterns of worsening droughts, pest outbreaks, and fire seasons we must leverage the power of forest management to fight climate change, advance smart conservation, and keep Canadians safe from fire,” Nighbor added.
Rob Keen, CEO of Forests Ontario and a Registered Professional Forester, will present on “lessons learned” through Forests Ontario and Forest Recovery Canada’s (Forests Ontario’s national tree planting division) existing tree planting programs and how their work and the experiences of their partners including conservation organizations, First Nations, forest industry, municipalities, stewardship groups forestry consultants and tree nurseries can inform the successful roll-out of the new Federal 2 Billion tree program.
“Tree planting initiatives can contribute so many benefits,” observed Keen. “Planted trees helps capture atmospheric carbon and mitigate climate change, rebuild forests after severe natural disturbances, provide habitat, enhance biodiversity and helps cities and towns manage flooding risks and diversify their urban forests. He concluded, “Having all sectors working together to create new sustainably managed forests responds to the climate crisis”
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FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $73.6-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 12 per cent of Canada’s manufacturing GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in over 600 communities, providing 230,000 direct jobs, and over 600,000 indirect jobs across the country.
About Forests Ontario and Forest Recovery Canada
Forests Ontario is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to re-greening the province through the support of forest restoration, stewardship, education and awareness. We promote Canada’s greatest natural resource – our forests – because healthy forests sustain healthy communities and healthy economies. Forests Ontario is the voice of our forests. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario to find out more.
Forest Recovery Canada (FRC) supports the future of our forests through tree planting, increasing forest cover and adding connectivity between forested areas. Through partnerships with local planting organizations, municipalities, forest industry, First Nations, ENGO partners and corporate sponsors, we work to minimize the devastating effects of climate change. FRC is a division of Forests Ontario.
For more information contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications
t : 613-563-1441 ext. 314
Follow us on Twitter: @FPAC_APFC
MJ Kettleborough
Communications Manager
Forests Ontario / Forest Recovery Canada
W: 416.646.1193 ext. 237
C: 416.997.0880
E: mkettleborough@forestsontario.ca
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