Awareness

The OFA is dedicated to raising awareness of Ontario's forests. Ontario's natural landscape is one of rolling hills, forested peaks, rocky shores, and lush wetlands. Forests are an important part of the landscape because of their direct benefits for individuals and communities. Ontario's forests also play a critical role in Canada's natural landscape, with Ontario being the fourth most forested province, containing 58 million ha (or 14%) of Canada's forests.

Fun Forest Facts!

  • Ontario has four forest regions:
    • Hundson-Bay Lowlands- 19%
    • Boreal Forest- 58%
    • Great Lakes-St. Lawrence- 19%
    • Deciduous (Carolinian) - 3%
  • Forest Ownership in Ontario:
    • 89% Crown land (government owned)
    • 11% Private land
  • Northern vs. Southern Ontario:
    • 55% of land in N. Ontario belongs to province
    • 87% of land in S. Ontario is privately owned
  • Tree Species:
    • Coniferous: Black Spruce, White Spruce, Jack Pine, Balsam Fir, Hemlock, Tamarack, Eastern White Cedar, White Pine, Red Pine
    • Deciduous: Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Red Oak, White Oak, Black Oak, Sassfrass, Tulip Tree, White Ash, White Elm, Trembling Aspen, White Birch, Black Cherry
    • Ontario's provincial tree is the White Pine
  • Over 58 000 people in 2009 were employed directly in Ontario's forest industry
  • In Ontario, manufactured products generated $13.4 billion in 2008
  • More than 4 million Ontarians take part in forest-based leisure activities every year
  • Want other great facts and information? Check out the statistics on Natural Resources Canada

Forest Management in Ontario

In 1994 the Crown Forest Sustainability Act was passed. This primary piece of legislation is what guides all forest management on public (crown) lands in Ontario. The Act outlines the legal requirements for forest management in Ontario, and provides four detailed manuals that give direction on sustainable forest management.

These manuals include:

  • Forest Management Planning Manual (versions 2009 and 2004)
    • prescribes the requirements for Ontario's forest management planning system including a detailed description of the planning process and the products. The forest management planning cycle includes planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
  • Forest Information Manual
    • This manual complements the planning manual and outlines the detailed, technical conditions. It describes the requirement for the provision of forest resource inventories, maps, annual reports, forest operations inspections, forest values, and base data.
  • Forest Operations and Silviculture Manual
    • Provides guidance and directions for the conduct of operations authorized by approved forest management plans and is a regulatory manual.
  • Scaling Manual
    • This manual provides standard instructions for determining the quantity, quality and movement of Crown timber harvested in Ontario. It defines the standards for the training, licensing and approval of scalers and scaling auditors in the province.

Forest Management on Private Lands

In southern Ontario there is a dominance of private land ownership. Private land ownership does not fall within the legal requirements of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Landowners in southern Ontario play a crucial role in management and protecting our environment, and these landowners play a critical role in the ecological health and economic viability of the landscape.

The Ontario Forestry Association is aimed at educating and encouraging private landowners to manage their forest properties in a sustainable manner. This is achieved by offering resources, advice, and access to information. Included in this is the administration of the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program that provides a tax incentive to landowners who manage their forests well. Visit the Stewardship section for more information on private land forestry.