Boreal Forest

Greenpeace is dedicated to the conservation of Canada’s largest ecosystem, the Boreal Forest. Our first priority is a healthy Boreal Forest which supports viable economies and communities. Representing more than half of Canada’s landmass, the Boreal Forest sustains countless plants and animals and plays a critical role in mitigating global climate change. The Boreal holds some of the highest quantities of terrestrial carbon in the world – an estimated 208 billion tones. It is also the source of life and culture for many indigenous communities. Yet many areas of the Boreal Forest are under threat by destructive logging practices.

Clearcutting for disposable paper is wiping out intact wilderness and trashing critical habitat for species like the threatened woodland caribou and the wolverine. Greenpeace is working to stop this practice and help protect this vital ecosystem and the wildlife that call it home.

Greenpeace has identified five Endangered Forest Areas that are amongst the most valuable intact wilderness left in Canada’s commercial forest. Only 10.7% of the land managed by the forest industry is permanently protected under government legislation. A comprehensive network of protected areas is vital to conserve the Boreal Forest.

Learn more about Canada’s vision for the Boreal and about the five Endangered Forest areas.

How Greenpeace works to save the Boreal Forest

• Challenging the marketplace:We expose the destructive practices of logging companies that can and should operate in an ecologically responsible manner. We also challenge and work with paper companies with significant purchasing power.
• Engaging consumers:We mobilize Canadians against companies like Resolute Forest Products that are attacking the forest. We provide consumers with information that will reduce their impact on the forest.
• Pressuring governments:We hold governments accountable to their promises to protect the forest and urge them to do much more to support a green and prosperous economy in the Boreal.
• Working with industry: We collaborate with leaders in the forestry sector to ensure the creation of long-term jobs and a healthy Boreal that can sustain its wealth of environmental and social values for all Canadians.
• Collaborating with First Nations and other Indigenous communities: We recognize First Nations as decision makers in their traditional territories and believe they must be lead participants in conservation and planning. They have the right to free, prior and informed consent for all developments affecting their traditional territories, as per the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and as required by the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) certification standards.