OTTAWA, ON—Researchers at McGill University, in partnership with Canadian Forest Owners (CFO) and with support from MITACS Canada, are launching the first national survey of Canadian private forest owners in more than two decades.
The survey aims to build a stronger evidence base to help governments better understand the role private forests play in Canada’s economy, environment and communities. The findings are expected to inform policy development and improve decision-making.
CFO and McGill University researchers are working together to advance a national approach to private forest data. The project will gather information on forest area, condition and production potential, as well as insight into who owns and manages these lands, their objectives and their long-term stewardship plans.
Canada’s private forests cover about 10 per cent of managed lands, but they account for roughly 20 per cent of forest production, playing an important role in both the economy and the environment.
“The lack of national-level data has implications for local communities, ecosystems and federal decision-making, including trade, climate and forest policy and biodiversity outcomes. Canada has made commitments on climate change and biodiversity that will depend in part on the actions of private landowners, many of whom have managed their forests for generations,” said Andrew de Vries, chief executive officer of Canadian
Forest Owners.
Private forests are often managed over multiple generations, offering continuity of stewardship, patient capital and a long-term perspective.
“Without basic information about who forest owners are, studying and supporting them becomes difficult,” said Dr. Jackie Hamilton, a postdoctoral researcher in natural resource sciences at McGill University. “There are no national lists, and in provinces across Canada, even identifying and reaching owners remains a challenge. As a result, the
perspectives of today’s forest owners are often missing from science and policy.”
The survey is intended to help close that information gap and improve understanding of Canada’s private forest sector.
Private forest owners can complete the confidential survey in 20 minutes at https://www.forestowners.ca/about/survey
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About This Partnership
Canadian Forest Owners is the national voice of private forest owners in Canada. The organization represents provincial associations, corporate forest managers and works to advance policies and programs that support sustainable forest management, economic opportunity and the long-term stewardship of privately owned forest lands.
The Social Ecological Workshop (S.E.W.) is a research initiative at McGill University that uses data collection, analysis and stakeholder engagement to focus on understanding the relationships between people and landscapes.
MITACS is a national not-for-profit organization that supports research and training in Canada. It builds partnerships between academia, industry and government to address key economic and social challenges.
Media Contact
Canadian Forest Owners: Sandra Bishop sandraabishop@telus.net