Sustaining our Forests
More trees than you'd think
Forests make up about 26.3 million hectares of Manitoba's 54.8 million hectare land base. Of these forested lands, about 94 per cent are owned by the province, 1 per cent is owned by the federal government and 5 per cent are privately owned.
Manitoba's forest industry is the fifth largest manufacturing sector in the province, producing a variety of wood products for local and export use. In 1997, forestry contributed $418 million in gross domestic product (GDP) to Manitoba's economy. Approximately 9,000 people are employed directly by the industry.
The Broadleaf/Mixedwood Forest or Aspen Parkland dominates the south-central region and contains some of the most productive forest in the province, supporting many small businesses. A variety of wood products are produced from these resources, particularly oriented strand board (OSB) and lumber.
The grasslands of southern Manitoba run parallel to the edge of Manitoba's central forest zone. While often thought as an endless expanse of grass, there are actually thousands of small broadleaf forest stands dotting the prairie landscape. These mini oases of deciduous trees and shrubs provide critical habitat for wildlife and a valuable source of income to farmers and landowners through proper woodlot management.
The Northern Coniferous or boreal forest is our largest forest zone, covering a broad area across the north-central and central part of the province and dipping down to extend across our eastern border into Ontario. Our boreal forests support the majority of the province's forest industry, providing resources for kraft paper, lumber and newsprint. This region is also important for mining and its large rivers provide hydro electricity for domestic use and export. The area is also an important tourist destination.
Ninety per cent of the east side of Lake Winnipeg falls within the boreal shield ecosystem. The area is home to 36,000 people - 96 per cent of whom are First Nation. The area is unique because it is a largely inaccessible and undeveloped landscape adjacent to fully developed areas. It is an area that is particularly threatened by the impacts of climate change. By 2050, it is predicted that much of the southern and northern parts of the boreal forest could be lost. Winter ice roads already have shorter seasons, negatively affecting transportation safety and raising the cost of getting critical supplies to communities.
Sustaining our landscape through forest management
Manitoba has developed forest renewal rules that are among the strongest in the country. By moving toward standards for mixed wood and hardwood stands, not just softwood, we can protect our diverse mosaic of forest stands across the province. Forestry activities are actively monitored to ensure all harvested areas are properly surveyed so that these strong standards can be maintained and enforced.
We have also implemented a new approach to calculating how much forest can be sustainably harvested by modeling forest growth based on actual local forest studies. This approach improves our ability to determine the impact of proposed harvesting on the environment, including wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
In recognition of the critical factors affecting the east side of Lake Winnipeg, in 2002 development decisions were put on hold to carefully plan for the future of the area through the East Side Planning Process, now known as Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO) to reflect the important role of First Nations in the stewardship of this unique area.
The boreal forest is also being sustained through careful resource management.
- There is no timber harvesting in a major part of the
east side, pending the outcome of the WNO process. Several
timber companies have Forest Stewardship Council certification
and are working closely with First Nations communities
on local forestry opportunities, in keeping with Manitoba's
Sustainable Forestry strategy.
- Non-timber forest products including teas, soaps and craftwork are being produced in communities and promoted through the Northern Forest Diversification Centre, which was established in The Pas in 2001.
Seeing Green for the future of our forests
Together, the WNO and the Manitoba government are developing a package of initiatives to support communities and the land where they live.
- A land planning initiative is proposed that will combine
traditional and western scientific knowledge to inform
future decision making. This program is also intended
to provide local job and training opportunities for future
community based resource management.
- Sustainable economic opportunities will be pursued
including energy efficiency and green energy projects,
community based sustainable forestry activities and ecotourism.
- Work is underway to provide special designations for sacred sites throughout the East Side area, and forest harvesting is now limited to low historic levels pending recommendations from community plans, currently being developed.
We will build on this by:
- moving forward with First Nations on the proposed
UNESCO world heritage site on the east side of Lake Winnipeg
- ensuring that, as hydropower development in Manitoba
expands, the east side boreal area remains intact and
unharmed by any new electricity transmission projects
- working with First Nations communities in the east
side area to aggressively promote local sustainable economic
development and land use planning
- helping to fund community plans for the east side
as part of the Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawim process
- expanding the successful River Stewards program, currently operating on the Manigotagan River, to other east side communities
Additional resources
Manitoba
Conservation Forestry Branch
Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO)
Canadian
Boreal Initiative
