The Canadian Institute of Forestry

6 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 The CIF-IFC is also pleased to welcome new graduates to the field of forestry through the Silver Ring Program. Graduates from a CIF- IFC recognized forestry program have been receiving silver rings from the Institute since 1967. The silver ring is a symbol of achievement and provides visible evidence of a national bond around Canadian forest practitioners and professionals. The National Staff of CIF-IFC is comprised of 12 team members that are in charge of programs, initiatives, communications, and outreach. They also manage CIF-IFC committees and task forces on advocacy, policy and governance, membership, finance, National Forest Week, Silver Ring Program, and The Forestry Chronicle. The team’s mission is three-fold: to provide national leadership in forestry and forest stewardship, promote competency among forest practitioners, and foster public awareness and education of forest and forestry issues. Historically, forests were viewed as boundless sources of resources. However, by the 1970s an awakening of other forest values led to environmental regulations being implemented. Additionally, over the last 15-20 years there has been an increasing recognition of the unique rights and relationships Indigenous peoples have related to forests. According to Natural Resources Canada’s 2021 State of Canada’s Forests Annual Report, 184,510 people are directly employed by Canada’s forest sector. This includes approximately 12,000 Indigenous persons. Pearson emphasizes, “Given the immense benefits of our forests, it is critical that they are properly managed, and Canada remains a global leader in sustainable forest management. Since 1990, fewer than half of 1% of the forest lands in Canada have been changed to a non-forest land use. Canada’s already low deforestation rate is expected to not only to remain low, but to decrease. Currently, there is a lot of THE CANADIAN INST I TUTE OF FORESTRY efficient, and resilient. During construction, building with wood decreases carbon pollution. Additionally, wood is highly versatile and reusable which helps limit waste. Since wood is a natural insulator, wood buildings are able to use less energy for heating and cooling. As the demand for affordable housing units, seniors’ residences, schools, and tall commercial and residential buildings grow, timber projects can not only be built at a quicker rate with wood, but also have the benefit of capturing carbon during construction. Bioproducts are another example of how forestry is at the forefront of innovation and meeting the challenge to find innovative environmental solutions. Wood-fibre residues and by-products from forest product manufacturing are being utilized to make bioproducts (i.e., biochemicals, biomaterials, and bioenergy). From biofuels being used to provide local energy in remote communities to wood fibre-based bioplastics replacing single-use plastic bags, advances in forestry are creating a more sustainable world. According to Pearson, “The innovation we are seeing in forestry is creating economic opportunities and supporting communities across Canada, while also providing sound solutions in the fight against climate change.” In collaboration with a network of stakeholders, the CIF-IFC has developed and demonstrated a successful Open Urban Forests pilot project proposal intended to establish the first national view of urban forestry geospatial data in Canada. This project is ground-breaking not only for its scope, but for ensuring this data is easily findable, discoverable, and interoperable. Furthermore, the project would standardize and enable access to urban forestry geospatial data across Canada, regardless of where this data is stored and the formats in which it is stored. The outcomes of the project would have a misinformation about forestry that exists in the public sphere. As those involved in the sector it is important that we dispel this myth and show the general population that Canadian forests are healthy, productive, and thriving. We are proud to partner with government, non-profit, academic, and industry organizations in Canada, such as the Forest Products Association of Canada. Together we advocate for responsible forest management and educating about the value of forests as a renewable resource.” Innovation thrives as the forestry sector continues to rise to the challenge brought on by climate change. Forestry is at the forefront of making buildings more sustainable, energy Mark Pearson, CIF-IFC Executive Director