The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement
Credit: The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement

The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA) Secretariat recently launched its ‘On the Move’ campaign with the unveiling of a giant, travelling map of the boreal forest that’s touring Canada to showcase the unprecedented agreement between the forest industry and environmental organizations.

“The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement is the largest conservation initiative of its kind in the world,” said CBFA executive director Aran O’Carroll. “It’s only fitting you should have a large canvas to illustrate it.”  

“The map really helps illustrate what the agreement is about, which is the challenge of ensuring the conservation of Canada’s boreal forest for future generations, as well as ensuring forest industries and the communities that rely upon them for their livelihoods have a sustainable future.”

The CBFA and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) partnered to create The Boreal Project: A Uniquely Canadian Enterprise, which includes the design and creation of an eight by 11-metre map, as well as a program to educate school children and the public.

RCGS Chief Executive Officer John Geiger said the map is a powerful educational tool: “The map shows many different aspects of the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, including its role as home to Canada’s remaining woodland caribou, the location of hundreds of lumber mills and surrounding towns and communities, and the different interactions between the Aboriginal and forest-dependent communities. It is an incredible educational tool and work of art.”  

Signed May 18, 2010, the CBFA ushered in a new era in conservation and resource management. Signatories to the CBFA include the Forestry Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and its 19 member companies, and seven leading Canadian environmental non-government organizations. It applies to more than 73 million hectares of public forests licensed to FPAC member companies across Canada.

Click here to see a video about the agreement: http://canadianborealforestagreement.com/index.php/en/videos/223