User:Ahain

What is a model forest? A model forest is a landscape-scale working model of sustainable forest management where new knowledge and technologies can be developed and applied. It is a place where a wide variety of perspectives are integrated and play a role in forest management and where on-the-ground solutions addressing everything from local needs to international concerns can be created and applied.

A model forest is an independent not-for-profit organization led by a diverse set of forestland stakeholders with an interest in a shared forest landscape. Together this partnership works with shared decision-making to achieve social, environmental and economic sustainability in forest management.

Each model forest is a link in a network to facilitate an exchange of ideas and approaches to sustainable forest management.

Why were model forests created?

The early 1990s saw a gathering of momentum to advance sustainable forest management (SFM) policy and practice, emanating from international leaders, national and provincial governments, industry and grassroots activists. At the international level, the 1992 Rio Summit provided the context and a program of action to help governments balance the competing objectives of economic growth, social stability and environmental integrity.

It became clear at that time that legislative change and regulatory tools alone would not be enough to bring about the fundamental changes in behaviour needed to fully achieve sustainable forest management. What was needed was the commitment and engagement of all forest stakeholders, on the ground, at the forest landscape level.

In 1992, the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Forest Service, launched Canada's Model Forest Program to put into play the Model Forest concept. Ten initial sites were established across Canada. Since then, the Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) has grown to comprise 14 Model Forest sites. The network facilitates knowledge sharing and communication between Model Forests.

The principle behind the concept is simple. Each model forest serves as a demonstration of partners with a diversity of forest values working together to achieve sustainable forest management.

During the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, Canada demonstrated international leadership in environmental stewardship by launching one of the world’s largest experiment in sustainable forest management. The Canadian Model Forest Network continues to bring together organizations with diverse views on how forests should be managed. With core funding and leadership from Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service, this diversity of opinion and spirit of collaboration has advanced the knowledge and practice of sustainable forest management. Model Forests include among their partners forest industry, environmental groups, woodlot owners, academics, Aboriginal communities, parks, government agencies, recreational groups, trappers and anyone who has an interest in sustainable forest management. Together, these partnerships address the challenge of balancing the extensive range of demands placed on forests today with the needs of future generations.

Canada's Model Forest Program is about innovation through partnership. It supports local, national and international partnerships that generate and share new ideas and on-the-ground solutions to sustainable forest management issues.

These partnerships include grass-roots representatives from environmental organizations, aboriginal organizations, industry, educational and research institutions, all levels of government, community-based associations, recreationists, members of forest-dependent communities and landowners.