Sustainability

"Our goal is to maintain and enhance the long-term health of our forest ecosystems for the benefit of all living things, both nationally and globally, while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefit of present and future generations."

- Sustainable Forests: A Canadian Commitment
Canada's National Forest Strategy

Canada
Sustainable management of forests is a national, territorial and provincial priority in Canada, based on the following considerations:

  • commitment to sustainable forest management as per the Canadian National Forest Strategy
  • commitment of Canadians, as stewards of approximately 10% of the world’s forests, to maintaining their forests in a healthy state for the benefit of both their citizens and the global community
  • obligation to implement the Forest Principles and other sustainable management commitments made at the UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 1992

Criteria identified for sustainable forest management includes:

  • conservation of biological diversity
  • maintenance and enhancement of forest ecosystem condition and productivity
  • conservation of soil and water resources
  • forest ecosystem contributions to global ecological cycles
  • multiple benefits to society
  • acceptance of society’s responsibility for sustainable development

Nova Scotia
In 1997 Nova Scotia adopted Canada’s National Forest Strategy, committing the province to sustainable forest management (SFM). Subsequently, the NS Department of Natural Resources enacted the Forestry Sustainability Regulations to help sustain the productivity of Nova Scotia's forests (approximately 75% of Nova Scotia’s land is forested).

The new forest strategy has led to:

  • 1998 - establishment of a Registry of Buyers of Primary Forest Products, which helps to provide data to help monitor the province’s forests
  • 2000 - establishment of the Sustainable Forestry Fund to help increase the level of silviculture on private lands
  • 2002 - enactment of new Wildlife Habitat & Watercourses Protection Regulations to help provide protection for water quality, biodiversity and wildlife habitat when harvesting forests

Sound, sustainable forest management on your woodland begins with establishing goals and objectives, taking an inventory of available resources and developing a written management plan that meets established standards and guidelines as well as meeting your forest needs for generations to come.

Resources

Nova Scotia Forest Sustainability Regulations
902-893-6270

NS- Results of Public Consultation on Proposed Changes to Registration and Statistical Returns and the Forest Sustainability Regulations

NS Registry of Buyers of Primary Forest Products
902-893-6270

NS Sustainable Forest Fund

NS Wildlife Habitat & Watercourses Protection Regulations
902-424-6723

NS Code of Forest Practice
“A Framework for the Implementation of Sustainable Forest Management” - Released for public response

Contractors & Operators
Best Management Practices Manual
Nova Forest Alliance
902-639-2921

Sustainable Development Web Site
- Natural Resources Canada

Moving Forward on Sustainable Development
- Discussion Paper - Strategy 2003
Questionnaire – Public Response to Sustainable Development Strategy 2003
Natural Resources Canada
1-613-995-0947

Canadian Council of Forest Ministers
Canadian Criteria & Indicator Task Force on Sustainable Forest Management