Mark Pearson
Executive Director of CIF-IFC
For National Forest Week (NFW) (September 18 to 24, 2022), the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) is inviting Canadians to learn more about the forest sector and its significance to Canada’s culture, history, and future, while also supporting a greater recognition of forests as a valuable, renewable, and green resource.
The CIF-IFC is pleased to continue developing the annual theme for NFW and co-ordinating the distribution of promotional materials, activities, and communications. This year’s theme is Canada’s Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.
Climate change is affecting Canada’s forests and forest sector. A changing climate can increase the frequency, intensity, and impacts of natural disturbances, such as insect outbreaks, drought, and fire. These changes have impacts now and will influence forests in the future. Science and technology are critical in making policy and management decisions, but more is always needed. Canada is already a world leader in sustainable forest management. Every day, scientists, researchers, practitioners, and professionals work to ensure our urban and rural forests are sustainably managed and remain resilient in the face of a changing climate.
“The theme for National Forest Week 2022 highlights how Canada’s forests provide nature-based solutions for climate change and adaptation,” mentions Mark Pearson, Executive Director of CIF-IFC.
Forests help mitigate changes in climate in several ways, including absorbing and storing greenhouse gases through forest biomass. Raw materials from forests, such as lumber and engineered wood products, also store carbon over the long term. Additionally, trees soften the impacts of a changing climate and extreme weather by moderating temperatures, regulating water flow, and playing a role in the protection of biodiversity.
The ways in which forests and forestry provide nature-based solutions are highlighted in our NFW 2022 daily sub-themes:
- September 18, 2022 — Forests and a changing climate
- September 19, 2022 — Capturing greenhouse gases
- September 20, 2022 — Innovative technologies and research
- September 21, 2022 — Forests and biodiversity
- September 22, 2022 — Forest champions in our communities
- September 23, 2022 — Sustainably managed forests
- September 24, 2022 — Learning from trees
Here’s how to participate in NFW in your neck of the woods: follow the daily sub-themes on CIF-IFC’s social media channels, engage in CIF-IFC’s free NFW-themed contests and activities, learn about forests and trees through the Institute’s educational resources, organize or participate in a tree plant, explore a forest near your home, or learn more about forests and sustainable forest management.
Visit the CIF-IFC website (cif-ifc.org/what-we-do/national-forest-week/participate) to learn about our 2022 sponsors or to download your free NFW promotional materials. Stay connected by using the #NationalForestWeek hashtag and share your stories, events, and photos with us at: [email protected] or tag us/follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn.
Formed in 1908, the CIF-IFC is the national voice of forest practitioners and many others interested in forestry and forests. The Institute strives to provide national leadership, promote competence, and foster public awareness of Canadian and international forestry/forest issues.
