National Forest Week has just come to an end and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is hoping that you will consider what the forests provide for you. 

Canada is home to 9 per cent of the planet’s forests. Forests do tons of work to ensure we are kept safe and healthy including the following:

  • Stabilize our hillsides and coastlines with their root system
  • Offer habitat and safety to thousands of species
  • Leaves capture carbon dioxide 
  • Provide a nature-based solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Provide warmth, provide shade, create homes, and feed us

One-third of Canada’s land mass is covered in trees, yet today just 10 per cent of Canada’s forests are protected. Across the country, especially in southern Canada, our woodlands are being squeezed by competing demands, such as development and human-caused impacts to habitat, all at a time when we are relying on trees to help save us from the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada believes it is important to protect Canada’s boreal forest in the North. The organization is focused on ensuring Canada’s exceptional forests are restored, sustained, and protected so that they continue to enjoy the powerful benefits they provide.

Conservation organizations like NCC are protecting thousands of hectares of forest coast to coast to support Canada’s goal of conserving 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030. There is space for everyone to contribute, through spending time in local forests, learning how to conserve the forests we all love and supporting organizations that work every day to restore forests in our communities. 

This article was written with files from Tom Lynch-Staunton, Regional Vice President with the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Alberta.