Protecting Canada's Forests
Paul Zizka
Mediaplanet spoke with Canadian landscape and adventure photographer Paul Zizka on his passion for photography and the importance of protecting Canada's natural beauty and forests.
How has your experience as a Canadian nature photographer shaped your appreciation for the importance of protecting Canada's forests?
I believe seeing the world through the lens enables me to be a more acute observer of the wilderness. Venturing into wooded areas with the camera helps me take in the true beauty and complexity of forest environments, from the tiny details to the big scenes.
In your view, what role do Canada's forests play in maintaining the country's unique landscapes, biodiversity, and ecological balance?
As an artist, I feel our forests play a crucial role from a purely aesthetic
What are the key objectives of Canada's 2 Billion Tree Program and how does it align with the broader goals of preserving and safeguarding our country's valuable forested landscapes?
Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program is a part of recognizing that while nature may be under threat by climate change, it is also an ally in the fight against it. Nature-based climate solutions such as the 2 Billion Trees Program harness the power of nature to reduce emissions, increase human well-being, and protect biodiversity. By investing up to $3.2 billion in tree planting efforts across sectors and levels of government with the goal of planting two billion trees over 10 years and growing Canada's forest cover by an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island, we are taking a significant step forward in our fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
The program speaks directly to our objectives of preserving and
standpoint. I would argue that forests are in large part responsible for Canada’s iconic beauty. They are also environments that support an incredible web of life and offer a unique array of recreational opportunities to our own species. People are more likely to care for and protect our forested spaces when they spend time in them.
As an advocate for nature through your photography, what message do you hope to convey to the public about the urgent need to conserve and sustain Canada's precious forest ecosystems?
I hope that fellow Canadians can take time to immerse themselves in forested environments, to put some effort into connecting with these special places and get a feel for how interconnected all of the forest-dependent organisms are, including ourselves. From city to national parks, there are many opportunities in Canada to get amongst the trees.
safeguarding Canada’s natural landscape by enhancing ecosystems and natural areas across Canada, on provincial and federal Crown lands, in cities and communities, on farms and on private rural and urban lands.
The co-benefits of the program are numerous. Forests capture and store large amounts of carbon (CO2), which will clean the air Canadians breathe and water we drink, and cut pollution. The forests we plant will also make communities more resilient to extreme weather and create thousands of jobs for tree planters, technicians, nursery growers, field biologists, urban planners, and many others. Not only that, but healthy forest ecosystems are also a bedrock of Canadian biodiversity, so planting and enhancing forestry will give a home to thousands of living organisms. Finally, forests supply us with food, provide shelter and shade, and hold spiritual significance for many, particularly within Indigenous cultures.
From Seed to Healthy, Resilient Forest
Creating and restoring healthy forests requires the right seed, from the right source, planted in the right place.
National Forest Week provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the many integral ways healthy forests enrich our daily lives. At Forests Ontario, we’ve worked hard to build strong relationships with a comprehensive network of experienced partners who understand the transformative power of healthy forests. This includes everything from partners who are growing and planting new trees to those who manage and maintain the health of our forests to those who educate and train the next generation of forest stewards.
The need for seed
After working with our partners over the years to plant approximately 43 million trees and being named an official Restoration Implementer of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, we’re proud to be a trusted authority for those seeking to invest in the growth, resiliency, and future of our forests.
During all that time planting trees, we’ve learned a simple truth: it all starts with high-quality, source-identified tree seeds. If we don’t have seed, we can’t grow trees — and we need a lot of seed to be able to continue to plant the millions of trees we do with
our partners each year.
Currently, Forests Ontario has over 200 million viable seeds in storage to ensure we’ll always have a reliable source to produce the trees for our large-scale planting projects. The trees and shrubs grown from those seeds are resilient, native var ieties that will support biological diversity and increase habitat for wildlife, help combat the impacts of climate change, and improve the health and longevity of our forests. By paying close attention to seed every step of the way from collection to growth to planting, we can evaluate seed quality and monitor how they perform in the nursery and on the landscape, informing critical decisions on sourcing high-quality seed that will produce healthy, resilient forests.
Especially this year, after we’ve seen wildfires raging throughout Canada and around the world, we need to invest in seed so we can restore our existing forests and grow healthy, resilient, new forests for generations to come. As we take this opportunity to celebrate National Forest Week, don’t forget that the forests you’re celebrating all started with a seed.
Canadian Forests are Crucial to Supporting Biological Diversity
Canadians are invited to participate in National Forest Week from September 17-23, 2023, a one-week campaign led by the CIF-IFC.
Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institute forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC)
This year’s National Forest Week theme, “Canada’s Forests: Supporting Biological Diversity,” emphasizes how biological diversity in forests is essential to our survival.
From fresh air and water, food security, medicines, and shelter to innovative products and technologies, forests and trees provide many cultural, societal, environmental, and economic benefits.
Canada’s many tree species play a significant role in supporting biodiversity, and are home to a variety of wildlife and plants.
“National Forest Week provides an exciting platform for us to share the crucial role Canada’s forests play in maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change,” says CIF-IFC Executive Director Mark Pearson. “Forests are a renewable resource, and the sector is working to ensure our forests are sustainably managed for generations to come.”
Jess Kaknevicius
Jess Kaknevicius
Paul Zizka Canadian National Parks Photographer
Jonathan Wilkinson
Jonathan Wilkinson
Conservation Authorities: Partners for the Future of Ontario’s Forests
Deforestation across Canada is happening at an accelerated pace. Land development requires a balance between growth pressures and environmental concerns. Imbalance can lead to significant consequences, including decreased air and water quality and increased risk of flooding in our communities. Conservation Ontario, and the 36 conservation authorities across the province it represents, is working to change that.
We asked Cheyene Brunet, associate forester and Chris Craig, senior forest technician, both from South Nation Conservation to share more about the conservation efforts underway in the province and why this work is important.
Why is the work of Conservation Ontario and local conservation authorities important?
Cheyene Brunet: We are one of the only agencies with boots on the ground in Ontario to support the management, conservation, and restoration of natural resources, including our forests and waterways. This work helps protect people and property from flooding, erosion, and landslides.
What impact does climate change have on our forests and why is tree planting important?
Cheyene Brunet: With a changing climate, Ontario continues
to face more frequent and more intense storms, which have contributed to record amounts of rainfall in short periods of time. It’s been proven that forested areas around watercourses are some of the most important natural habitats, not only for biodiversity and wildlife, but also for erosion protection and flood mitigation. Last year, conservation authorities planted over two million trees across Ontario’s watersheds.
What message do you have for people who live in cities, who may feel detached from our forests?
Chris Craig: I would encourage them to Step Into Nature and spend time volunteering and learning about our forests, woodlands, and wetland areas — visit our Conservation Areas. They can see how we’re trying to conserve the environment, while also supporting sustainable development. Forest health is directly related to our own health. It impacts the air we breathe and the water we drink.
75+ Years of Excellence: Atlantic Packaging's Tree-Free Paper Production
Atlantic is a shining example of how a company can thrive while prioritizing sustainability.
Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd. is setting a commendable example in the corporate world by making significant investments in Canada toward reducing carbon footprints, both for the company itself and its customers.
One way Atlantic achieves this is through the production of paper without the need to cut down a single tree.
Atlantic produces only 100 per cent recycled liners and mediums, which are used to make corrugated cartons. Its process involves recycling old and discarded boxes, which are collected in blue bins as old corrugated containers.
These boxes undergo a transformation at Atlantic’s three paper mills, returning them to a pulp state, which is then fed to its four paper machines to create fresh paper. This 100 per cent recycled paper is then shipped to the company’s converting plants to make more boxes. This approach not only significantly reduces the demand for virgin materials but also conserves natural resources and minimizes waste, underscoring Atlantic's unwavering commitment to environmental conservation,
a vital step in aligning with the principles of the circular economy.
Preserving our planet
“Our core values center around sustainability,” says Sean Weir, President of Atlantic Packaging. “We’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint, offering reusable brown boxes and bags, and leading the way to a more sustainable future. We’re not just in the packaging business — we’re in the business of preserving our planet for generations to come."
Atlantic Packaging follows the 5Rs of sustainable packaging: remove, reduce, re-use, renew, and recycle. This approach drives its sustainable packaging innovation by reducing material consumption, promoting reusability, and embracing renewable resources.
In a world where environmental concerns are paramount, Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd. stands as a shining example of how a company can thrive while prioritizing sustainability. Its investments in Canada not only reduce its carbon footprint but also inspire others to follow suit, showing that a circular economy is not just a vision but an attainable reality.
Forestry in Saskatchewan? Polytechnic Working on Sustainability-Focused Innovation
For many, Saskatchewan brings to mind never-ending fields of wheat and canola. In contrast, it’s actually home to a significant foresting industry. Though not often associated together, over half of the province is covered in forest, about 34 million hectares—most of it being located in the northern part of the province. This industry is a key economic driver that’s well-positioned to continue to flourish.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is one of the many organizations working to strengthen the province’s forestry sector. The institution’s Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE) is dedicated to solving complex sustainability challenges through collaboration. With forestry as one of their areas of expertise, SLICE offers students the opportunity to work alongside researchers and industry professionals in applied forestry research.
Thinking “circular”
Saskatchewan Polytechnic researchers have high-level expertise in specialized, state-of-the-art technology. They use Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-equipped remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) along with augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) for multiple applied research projects with the forestry industry. Their techniques have enhanced forestry management practices and created climate-friendly initiatives.
“We take a ‘circular economy’ approach that impacts the industry in real time,” says Dr. Robin Smith, SLICE Director. The idea focuses on materials and resources being re-used, recycled, and repurposed to minimize waste and improve efficiency. “It’s inspired by the natural world, which functions in cycles, too. Our sustainable practices should be similar.”
“We also work directly with businesses and community partners to integrate innovative environmental practices and exchange know-
ledge,” says Leila Benmerrouche, Senior Research Associate. “It’s thinking like this that led SLICE to develop the Indigenous heritage resources project with our partners at Big River First Nation.”
Combining tradition and technology
Saskatchewan Polytechnic researchers and Big River First Nation are coming together to improve forestry management planning processes. The project utilizes technologies such as LiDAR sensors in tandem with First Nation oral history and land knowledge. SLICE is using drone technology to scan (through the tree canopies) the forested areas identified by Elders as culturally significant. Over this three-year project, the team anticipates locating historical heritage sites, artifacts, traditional footpaths and much more.
In the north of the province, 30 per cent of forestry workers are First Nation or Métis people. “We’re giving Saskatchewan Polytechnic inherent family knowledge about the land, passed down generation to generation. And it’s been pretty accurate so far,” says Kurtis McAdam, Social Assistance Employment Training Manager at Big River First Nation. They’ll oversee the project’s discoveries along with the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society to ensure they’re properly protected. “We’re building best practices that can be used to identify Indigenous cultural heritage sites in the boreal forest for better planning and protection,” Dr. Smith explains.
Leading the way
The project will help forestry management make informed decisions that are economically sound while also respectful of cultural heritage sites. “Consultation is the key to industries working harmoniously with their surrounding communities,” says McAdam. “By working together, we can protect our heritage and plan for a sustainable future.”
Khushboo Gupta
Kurtis McAdam Social Assistance Employment Training Manager, Big River First Nation
Leila Benmerrouche Senior Research Associate, SLICE, Sask Polytech
Robin Smith Director, SLICE, Sask Polytech
Katherine Cappellacci
Chris Craig Senior Forest Technician, South Nation Conservation
Cheyene Brunet Associate Forester, South Nation Conservation