Canfor's Forestry Principles were developed by a task force of Canfor staff, aided by a panel of outside experts. The Principles are based on the tenets of ecosystem management, continuous improvement, public involvement and third party verification of performance. Canfor views these Principles as a fundamental component in improving its existing sustainable forest management practices, ensuring the transparency of its operations and fulfilling sustainable forest management certification requirements. The Principles were approved and subsequently introduced to all Canfor operations in 1999.
The following is a summary of Canfor's Forestry Principles:
Ecosystem Management
We will use the best available science to develop an understanding of ecological responses to natural and human-caused disturbances. We will incorporate this knowledge into higher level and operational plans by applying ecosystem management principles to achieve desired future forest condition.
Scale
We will define objectives over a variety of time intervals (temporal scales), and at spatial scales of stand, landscape and forest.
Adaptive Management
We will use adaptive management to continually improve forest ecosystem management. This will require the development and application of collaborative research and monitoring programs.
Old Growth
We will include old growth and old growth attributes as part of our management strategies and philosophy in the forests where we operate.
Timber Resource
Canfor will ensure a continuous supply of affordable timber in order to carry out its business of harvesting, manufacturing and marketing forest products. Canfor will strive to maximize the net value of the fibre extracted for sustained economic benefits for employees, communities and shareholders.
Forest Land Base
We advocate the maintenance of the forest land base as an asset for the future.
Health and Safety
We will operate in a manner that protects human health and safety.
First Nations
We will pursue business partnerships and cooperative working arrangements with First Nations to provide mutual social, cultural, and economic benefits and to address mutual interests.
Communities
We will engage members of the public, communities and other stakeholders in the delivery of the Forest Principles. The process will be open, transparent and accountable.
Accountability
We will be accountable to the public for managing forest to achieve present and future values. We will use credible, internationally recognized, third party verification of our forestry operations as one way of demonstrating our performance.
To read Canfor's detailed Forestry Principles please click here.
Canfor's Forestry Principles.