The Ontario Woodlot…

The Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA), with its vision of “healthy, productive woodlots”, recognizes the wide spectrum of ecological services that are provided to society by intact, sustainably managed woodlands. In addition to the products that are harvested from our woodlots, we, that is all rural and urban Ontarians, are also dependent on them for our clean air and water, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, wildlife habitat and many other environmental services.
The OWA also recognizes the right of farmers to manage their lands under best management practices, but supports the importance of retaining as much forest cover as possible on the landscape. An *Environment Canada publication suggests that 30% is a minimum to have some assurance of a healthy bio-diverse landscape.
As with farming, sustainable woodland management is supported by having markets for all species and qualities of wood. The reduction in the number of pulp mills and sawmills in southern Ontario has impacted much needed markets, and thus the financial sustainability of many woodlands. The OWA is concerned that the intent to increase the percentage of ethanol allowed in gasoline, along with the loss of markets for wood products, could lead to increased pressure to convert forests to crop land.
We believe it would be counter-productive to lose the carbon storage capability and green energy of an existing woodland, in order to produce another form of energy. The OWA is looking for assurances that potential impact on existing forest lands has been considered in their assessment of this initiative.
* Government of Canada website: www. Canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html. ‘How Much Habitat is Enough’. Exact location: https://www.ec.gc.ca/nature/default.asp?lang=En&n=E33B007C-1#_02_3_1

[Original Comment ID: 212240]