What is Canada's Boreal Forest?

The magnificent Boreal forest is part of a green crown circling the top of the world, extending across western Europe, Russia, Alaska and, of course, Canada. Canada's Boreal forest has been evolving for over 10,000 years and is the largest tract of ancient forest left in North America. Almost 80 per cent of the world's original forests have been degraded or completely destroyed, making the protection of the Boreal forest all the more important.

Representing 25 per cent of the world’s remaining ancient forests, Canada’s Boreal forest is a truly a global treasure. Critical as a carbon sink for battling climate change as well as being home to hundreds of wide-ranging wildlife species, the Canadian Boreal forest provides the ecological link between the northern tundra and the southern grasslands and more southerly forest ecosystems.

It is a diverse and awe inspiring landscape of granite outcrops, lakes, rivers, and marshes interspersed with pine, spruce, aspen and poplar forests.

The Boreal forest also contains a rich cultural legacy and is a source of sustenance for indigenous peoples of Canada – First Nations and Métis. Almost 80 per cent of Canada’s more than  one million aboriginal people live in more than 600 communities in Canada’s forest regions, and many depend on the wilderness, water and wildlife for their livelihood and spiritual well-being.

Moose, caribou, lynx, bear and wolves depend on the wide Boreal expanses, while eagles, hawks, owls, geese and 30 per cent of North America’s songbirds and 40 per cent of its waterfowl nest in the forests and wetlands. In fact, nearly five billion birds migrate north to breed after wintering in warmer climates.

Because of its immense size, the Boreal forest represents one of the best opportunities for conservation of large intact forests.

Boreal Region of Canada: