Features Environment & Sustainability Forestry
Forest advisory committee recognized by PEFC

A forest certification advisory committee working with the Algonquin Forestry Authority on sustainable forest management within Algonquin Provincial Park in south-central Ontario has been recognized with the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Canada Stewardship Award for their leadership and personal commitment.

“The Algonquin Park Forest Certification Advisory Group is one of many dedicated multi-stakeholder public groups in forest communities across Canada that provide advice on locally adapted measures of good forest management. There are many demands placed on public forests that influence how they are managed. These advisory groups help balance these forest values within the context of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) sustainable forest certification standard,” said John Dunford, Chair of PEFC Canada.

The Advisory Group has helped ensure local forest management meets strict on-the-ground tests required by CSA for each of the biological, environmental and social criteria under the sustainable forest management standard.

“This is great news!” said Gordon Cumming, R.P.F, chief forester for the Algonquin Forestry Authority. “Since it’s establishment in 2006, the advisory group has worked diligently to continually improve how Algonquin Park is managed for all forest values. I am thrilled that these committed volunteers are being recognized for their efforts – definitely well deserved!”

CSA is Canada’s national forest certification standard and the world’s largest national forest management standard with roughly 40 million hectares of woodlands certified. It includes a suite of mandatory core indicators for consistently measuring sustainable forest management across the country. It also requires local adaptations through ongoing public and Aboriginal dialogue with community advisory groups.