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Sustainable Forestry
A top priority for West Fraser is sustainable forest management. Sustainable forestry is about reforestation; it’s about replanting and carefully managing for biodiversity, so that the areas where we operate will continue to support thousands of species in healthy ecosystems.
Meeting and exceeding tough government requirements
We manage approximately 8.5 million hectares of crown land in BC and Alberta.
Our management practices are designed to meet and exceed rigorous provincial government regulations, which govern areas such as reforestation, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and public involvement.
Provincial agencies closely monitor our activities and enhance the long-term health of ecosystems.
As Canada’s forests are primarily publicly owned, our company must continually demonstrate to government that we are a good steward in order to maintain our tenures.
But West Fraser has gone beyond regulatory requirements by voluntarily having all the company’s woodlands certified by independent, third-parties as being well-managed.
With our comprehensive certification program in place, customers can have confidence – based on strict verification by third-party auditors – that the products we manufacture are derived from sustainably-managed forests.
Ecologically-sound harvesting
Over the last 50 years, West Fraser has planted more than 1.1 billion – yes, that’s billion! -- trees to ensure the forests where we operate are constantly renewed.
Wherever possible, West Fraser uses ecologically-sound variable retention harvesting techniques. This method of harvesting creates openings that vary in size and shape, with variable amounts of trees and large woody debris for wildlife habitat retained on site.
Our harvesting practices are designed to harvest timber safely and efficiently while minimizing environmental impacts. In general, our harvest practices are matched to the types of disturbances and tree species that are found in natural forests and closely approximate natural processes.
Most of our harvesting practices create openings that are consistent with the impact of natural disturbances, such as fire. Openings create the best conditions for regeneration for most of the tree species we manage.
We use partial cut harvesting techniques that mimic natural disturbances, such as those fire and insects normally create.
West Fraser manages forests with the goal of ensuring these forests remain healthy and vibrant, and continue to provide environmental, social and economic benefits for society.
Home > Environment > Sustainable Forestry
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