Sustainable Forests, Sustainable Products: How Canada’s Forest Sector is Leading the Way

Forestry For the Future

As a born-and-raised British Columbian, respecting nature has been ingrained in me from a very young age. Like many, I grew up camping in BC’s forests. Exploring the outdoors is a favourite pastime and something I am grateful that I can do any day of the year.

Naturally, I was curious to learn more about how Canada’s forest sector is supporting a more sustainable future. While forest products like lumber have always been a vital component of our economy, so are trees for our survival.  I want future generations to continue to enjoy hiking, biking and experience the Great Outdoors the same way I did growing up and continue to today. 

Canada’s Commitment to Forest Regeneration and Sustainability

Forestry For the Future

Eager to understand what is being done to ensure the longevity of Canada’s forests, I reached out to Jennifer Tallman, Chief Forester for Ontario with Interfor. The first thing that struck me when speaking to her was her passion for the outdoors. She enthusiastically started our conversation by telling me that she spends a lot of time outside, fishing and kayaking. Tallman’s love for nature is what started her down the path of working in forestry. It’s a common story in the industry, I’m told.

Given this, her passion for stewarding our forests comes naturally. I learned that Canada’s forest sector not only plans how it will keep our trees healthy and thriving long-term, but also the ecosystem of a forest. Before any work begins, there is a very lengthy planning process which includes mapping out an area to ensure any bird’s nests or animal dens are protected. Third parties ensure that everything goes to plan, and everyone gets audited.

“Canada is excellent at managing forests and managing them sustainably so that they’re there for future generations,” affirms Tallman.

All forests harvested on public land are required by law to be regenerated. Every tree that’s harvested must be replanted, bringing the area back to what was originally there. This ensures there are no genetically modified seeds or non-Indigenous species of trees being introduced to any of Canada’s forests. Everything must be regrown as it was.

“Canada has some of the most stringent legislation and requirements for managing the forests and keeping those forests as natural forests. We’re not introducing a new species, and we’re not using genetically modified crops. When we renew a forest, we have to use seeds that come from the same area. So, I couldn’t go get seeds from BC to plant trees in Ontario. I can’t even go get seeds eight hours from here to plant in our forest,” explains Tallman.

Learning that Canadian forestry is so heavily invested in maintaining our forests comes as a relief. This gives me hope that there will be forests and outdoor trails for people to enjoy for generations to come.

The Lifecycle of a Tree

Forestry For the Future

Curious to know the behind-the-scenes details of harvesting and making products like lumber, I asked Tallman to describe the process.

She explained that once a tree is harvested, before it gets taken to the mill, all the branches and the top are removed and left in the forest to break down. As this happens, nutrients are returned to the site, fertilizing the ground and ensuring healthy soil.

Once at the mill, the tree is cut into lumber, which creates several byproducts including wood chips and sawdust. There is no waste because every part of the tree is used, including the tiny bits of sawdust that fall to the floor when cutting the wood. Some mills even burn their leftover sawdust and bark to generate electricity, heat, or energy. These byproducts are then sold to the pulp and paper mills and other manufacturers to make a wide variety of products. 

Sustainable Swaps with Canadian Forest Products

bunner eco friendly disposable kitchenware utensils on white background. wooden forks and spoons in paper cup. and green leaf. ecology, zero waste concept. copyspace.

With the Canada-wide ban on single-use plastics, there has never been a greater need for biodegradable, non-plastic alternatives. Wood-based bioplastics can provide more environmentally friendly alternatives to the single-use plastics currently flooding our landfills and polluting our oceans.

Because Canada’s forest sector is a world leader in responsibly managing our forests, the products it produces are sustainable. This not only includes the lumber and timber we’re used to seeing, but the everyday uses for wood byproducts too—from wooden utensils to wood lignin that can make our asphalt more environmentally friendly. 

I discovered there are many products we use every day that can be made more sustainably with trees. For example, tree sugars have many uses. We all know about maple syrup, but there are other tree syrups as well, including Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in birch trees. This sweetener can be found in a variety of products including gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, or simply used as a sweetener. What I found most incredible is that tree sugars can be used in a range of bioplastics with medical applications such as bone implants. 

As industries increasingly adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, Canadian forestry is rethinking how we use trees—an abundant, renewable resource—to build a greener future. It’s fascinating to realize that our forests are the source of so many sustainable solutions.  

Keeping Forests as Forests Forever

Forestry For the Future

Learning more about Canadian forestry and how we are sustainably managing our forests is very reassuring. My conversation with Tallman left me feeling proud to be a Canadian, knowing we are leading the way in stewarding this resource—with our shared love of the outdoors top-of-mind.

With a renewed vigour for getting outside, I laced up my shoes and headed outside for an afternoon walk in the park. Whenever I’m having a tough day, getting out in nature helps me clear my head. I’m relieved to know that our forests will be around for generations to enjoy.

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