September 19-25 marked National Forest Week for Canada, recognizing the many benefits our forests provide.

Rebekah Neufeld is Acting Conservation Science Manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).

Neufeld says our forests play a critical role in our world adapting to climate change. “Here in Manitoba we’re quite lucky to have such a vast amount of forest remaining. About ¾ of our province is considered boreal ecosystems, which is primarily forest and tree flat lands, and about half the total province is made up of specifically those upland forest habitats.”

“So, Manitoba is in a great position to conserve and protect and build on our forests to come up with solutions to climate change and the issues around it", added Neufeld.

According to last week’s media release from the NCC, Canada is home to nine per cent of the planet’s forests.

"Consider the work that trees do every day to keep us safe and healthy: They continuously give! Starting beneath the ground, their expansive root systems help stabilize our hillsides and coastlines. Above, tree trunks offer habitat and safety to thousands of species, while their leaves work to capture the carbon dioxide. From roots to canopy, forests serve as a key nature-based solution in the struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," states NCC’s media release.

"Trees warm us, cool us, house us and feed us, all while cleaning the air we breathe and the water we drink. One-third of Canada’s land mass is covered in trees, yet today just 10 per cent of Canada’s forests are protected. Across the country, especially in southern Canada, our woodlands are being squeezed by competing demands, such as development and human-caused impacts to habitat, all at a time when we are relying on trees to help save us from the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss."

Neufeld shares how some areas of Manitoba are losing their forests.

“But in other parts of the province we’re actually seeing an increase in tree cover. What’s complicated is that where we’re seeing more trees in parts of the province where it used to be grasslands and other types of ecosystems, and other areas where there are more forests, we’re seeing losses or changes there.”

The NCC aims to protect some of the country’s best remaining habitats, including forests, focusing on ensuring Canada’s exceptional forests are restored, sustained and protected so that all Canadians can continue to enjoy the powerful benefits they provide.

When it comes to sustainability and forest protection, Neufeld says everyone has their part to play, that being most notably the landowner and the government agencies.

“I think everybody has a role to play. A good portion of our forest lands are on crown land, so definitely seeing a lead from our government is very important. It can provide important information and assist in ways in leadership for all to take action in making sure all our actions are effective.”

“But, I think there is a huge role for all of us to play, in thinking about our own land in planting and in keeping certain areas protected. So, I think there is a role for all of us, both in the leadership, but it’s also important for us to think about and it’s really up to us to ask for and push for those changes where they’re needed,” adds Neufeld.

Protecting Canada’s boreal forests in the north is vital, as these habitats provide critical refuge for three to five million migratory birds and they store vast amounts of carbon.

"Since 1962, NCC has worked with landowners, farmers, communities, corporations, governments and generous financial donors to protect private forests through local conservation projects via land purchases, land donations and conservation agreements. The conservation organization also plants trees as part of river or streambank restoration and conducts many reforestation projects across the country," states the NCC Media Release.

"NCC acknowledges Indigenous communities for their leadership, contributions and stewardship through generations and appreciates working with them and other conservation partners. We can all learn from each other and do more to ensure our protected areas are connected with wildlife corridors, that the health of our streams and rivers are improved by forest buffers and that important habitats for wildlife are maintained."

Conservation organizations like NCC are protecting thousands of hectares of forest coast to coast to support Canada’s goal of conserving 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030.

NCC is launching a first of its kind ‘Nature + Climate Projects Accelerator for Canada. "It will be a source of projects ranging from new forms of land partnerships to investment approaches and tools designed to attract private capital, in order to combat rapid habitat loss and climate change."