What is SFM?

Canada is well on their way to sustainable forest practices, but there is still much work to be done. Canada’s government would agree that they have been sustaining their forests with a variety of methods. However, non-governmental organizations (NGO) would state otherwise; they believe the Canadian government has the right idea, but have put nothing into affect. I also agree with this. For example, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have all made reports explaining they are doing their part in conserving and sustaining forests, although they have no real evidence. In 1992 National Forest Strategy came up with SFM Criteria and Indicators (C&I) in order to determine the success of sustainable forest management. “The first and only report on Canada’s forests using these C&I was published in 2000 (based on the 1995 C&I)… The report is a view of Canadian forests and their management through the lens of the six criteria, but it offers no inferences or conclusions regarding the sustainability of Canadian forests except to suggest that the efforts by various governments to protect more land are positive,” (http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb0513-e.htm). In conclusion, the Canadian government is doing a good job planning practices to sustain our forests, but the plans need to be put into action.

The current (2003-2008) National Forest Strategy, A Sustainable Forest: The Canadian Commitment, defines actions and goals that will lead to sustainable forest management in Canada. These are grouped under eight broad themes:

• ecosystem-based management;
• sustainable forest communities;
• rights and participation of Aboriginal peoples;
• forest product benefits;
• knowledge and innovation for competitiveness and sustainability;
• the urban forest and public engagement in sustainability;
• private woodlots’ contribution to sustainability; and
• reporting and accountability.

The six criteria under the Canadian approach to SFM are:

• biological diversity;
• ecosystem condition and productivity;
• soil and water;
• role in global ecological cycles;
• economic and social benefits; and
• society’s responsibility.

(Information gathered from SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN CANADA:CLEAR POLICY - QUESTIONABLE PRACTICE:Prepared by: Michel CharronScience and Technology Division19 July 2005 )