THE STATE OF CANADA'S BOREAL FOREST

Canada's boreal forest represents one of the largest tracts of unbroken wilderness in the world. It is one of the largest intact forest ecosystems remaining on earth (over 1 billion acres) - larger than the remaining intact Amazon Rain Forest.

Stretching from Newfoundland-Labrador to the Rocky Mountains and into the Yukon, Canada's boreal forest includes a vast sweep of forest, wetlands, rivers and wildlife. Except in Alberta, much of Canada's boreal region is still almost entirely roadless and remains wild. This massive forest is one of the last real wild areas in the world that still supports a full suite of native species in large connected ecosystems. The land is shaped by powerful natural forces like wind and fire.

Canada's boreal forest is home to some of the country's largest river systems and also contains an estimated 1.5 million lakes. Wetlands and water makeup 20% of the boreal region across Canada. Bogs and fens and marshes are critically important habitats for a wide range of species and help clean and store water.

Canada's boreal forest is home to the world's largest caribou herds. Large populations of wolves and bear still roam this vast landscape. This forest is also home to moose and bison, lynx, snowshoe hares, martens, whooping cranes, great gray owls, wolverines, woodpeckers and hundreds of songbirds which feed and nest in it for the warmer months of the year. The boreal forest is a rich habitat for migratory songbirds. Nearly 5 billion birds migrate north to breed after wintering in warmer climates. The boreal is nesting ground for 200 different species of land birds. For 14 of these species it is their only nesting place. Just a couple of kilometers of mixed boreal forest may support 600 breeding pairs of these long-distance travelers.

Canada's boreal forest plays a particularly vital role in mitigating the impacts of climate change because forests and wetlands store massive amounts of carbon. The forests make up one of the planet's few intact natural areas and may still be big enough to buffer the changes in habitat that climate change will bring about for many northern species.

Despite its global significance, Canada's boreal forest is under siege. Our southern boreal forests have already seen too much rapid, poorly planning development. Almost 50% of Canada's boreal region has been allocated to industry and intact forests further north are being eyed as the next cutting frontier by multinational logging companies. The boreal region is already the world's main source of industrial wood and fiber for paper products like facial tissue and advertising flyers.

Very little is protected in the boreal. Or to say it another way, less than 8% of Canada's boreal region is strictly protected from all forms of large scale industrial activities. Unplanned development could lead to the destruction of much of the region through the combined, cumulative damage caused by logging, oil and gas exploration, hydro-dams, pipelines, mining, road building and other development spreading throughout the forest.

We must ensure that the boreal forest does not die the death of a thousand cuts and that instead, we take the initiative now to protect this vast and largely intact region for future generations. Canada can set an example for the world by developing a real vision for how we can protect the wild character of the boreal while creating sustainable development opportunities for communities and First Nations.

LEARN MORE:

State of the World's Boreal Forests Learn about what's happening to forests across the world.

State of Saskatchewan's Forests Learn about what's happening to forests in Saskatchewan.