1. The Earth’s Forests

2.  27% of the Earth’s land surface is forest (3.4 billion ha)  Russia has the largest concentration (942 million ha) – Most of it is Boreal Forest  50% of the world’s forests are in Brazil, USA, Canada and Russia  Classified as Temperate, Boreal or Tropical

3. Forest Use 60 million workers Pulp and paper Food Fuel, oil, medicinal plant, furniture

4.  Scientific knowledge of forests has meant forest issues have now transcended political boundaries and are becoming a priority in international debates  Deforestation has been a topic of concern since the 1970’s and by 1990 it was recognized as a symptom of the conflict between human needs and the environment

5. Since Canada’s forests are a benefit to more than Canadians (air & water quality, pulp & paper) other nations want Canada to nurture our forests to provide benefits into the future Canada also relies heavily on exporting wood and other countries have powerful means of encouraging good stewardship

6. Forests in Canada

9.  94% of Canada’s forests are publicly owned (Crown land) 71% provincial 23% Federal 6% Private  But in the Maritimes the majority are private

10. Forest Management in Canada  Forest management in Canada is up to the Province  Each province and territory has its own legislation, policies and regulations to govern forest activities within its boundaries  Federal government oversees Yukon’s forest  But 94% of Canada’s forest’s are on Crownland… its public land.

11. The Facts:  Forests are the biggest contributor to Canada’s trade  1 in 15 jobs in this country is related to wood/paper products  60% of the world’s forests have declined since the industrial revolution  In North America, 64 million ha was cleared between 1860-1978  But since 1900 forest in the US have increased  In Canada, 1 million ha per year were harvested between 1979 & 1997  This number is now decreasing

12. “ ~ Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald 1871 “We are recklessly destroying the timber of Canada, and there is scarcely the possibility of replacing it.”

13. Today the biggest threats to Canada’s Forest are:  Insects  Fires