CMFN Chair Daniel Arbour Chats with CBC’s Marc Montgomery
Today Daniel Arbour, Chair of the CMFN, spoke for over seven minutes with Marc Montgomery, host of the CBC radio program “The Link”. The Link is a two-hour daily radio show aimed at connecting people to Canada and Canada to the world.
Marc began by stating that the United Nations has declared that 2011 is the International Year of the Forest, and as such, “wants to raise awareness about sustainable use and conservation of forests”. He also commented that a recent UN report states that forest loss globally is still alarmingly high. Daniel was then asked to comment on how Canada, and in particular the CMFN, is playing a role.
This segue provided Daniel with the opportunity to briefly describe how the CMFN was created after the Rio conference in 1992, and highlight the unique way the network brings the full-breadth of stakeholders to the table to find workable solutions to local and regional challenges. They also discussed some of the impacts facing forests and communities globally including climate change, poverty, and cross-boundary collaboration. The Boreal Initiative started in Canada was highlighted as a potential model for others to emulate. Overall an engaging conversation that reinforced the challenge of promoting sustainable forest management, inclusive of all stakeholders, to ensure healthy forests and viable communities for future generations.
To hear the full interview please click below:
New Publication Showcases CMFN Contributions
The CMFN proudly presents a new publication entitled “Developing Sustainable Forests and Communities”. This colourful 32-page document succinctly describes our forest sector crisis as well as how the CMFN is working to assist forest-based communities and enterprises adapt and prosper within this new paradigm.
Tangible initiatives, projects and outcomes that the CMFN is currently engaged in, or has achieved, through its members and partners are showcased. Local, regional and global in scope, the CMFN fosters sustainable forests and sustainable communities now and into the future.
To view please select the Featured Publication here: CMFN Publications
Join Us! CMFN Seeking New Members
The CMFN has recently revised its membership criteria, and has expanded the number of categories and associated annual due options for organizations wishing to explore and become members of our national network. In addition to 'Model Forests', we now welcome: community forests; corporations and foundations; community organizations, non-profits, associations and networks; and, strategic affiliate partners.
The following multiple page document outlines these categories in more detail, including the member benefits, eligibility criteria, and the fees associated with each. Please contact us if you would like to further discuss or pursue any of these options!
Successful Presentations to Senate Standing Committee!
In November, the CMFN and five of its members were pleased to accept invitations to make individualized presentations to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. This group of Senators has been mandated to examine and report on the current state and future of Canada's forest sector. Phase 1 of the study was used to make a diagnosis of the problems in the forest industry which culminated in an interim report published a year ago. Phase 2 of the study is currently underway and is tasked with developing a vision for the long-term positioning and competitiveness of the forest industry in Canada. The result of these consultations will be recommendations of specific actions to be put forward by the federal government, to lay the foundation for achieving that vision.
The Committee wished to hear the perspective of the CMFN with respect to the role of communities in forest management and the promotion of community involvement in an effort to strengthen the economic, ecological and social roles of Canada’s forests. On November 23rd, the CMFN’s Chair Daniel Arbour delivered an engaging 10 minute presentation that outlined who the CMFN is, what we do, our major initiatives, what we're accomplishing, the role of communities in Model Forests and the forest sector, recommendations for how the federal government can assist, and how the CMFN can help to provide support to programs and activities. The Senators asked many questions and a valuable conversation ensued. They each also received a copy of the presentation and CMFN information materials for future reference.
On November 30th, the Standing Senate Committee heard presentations from: the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, Lac-Saint-Jean Model Forest, the Model Forest of Newfoundland & Labrador, Northeast Superior Forest Community, and Resources North Association. These presentations provided a grassroots and regional perspective as to the local situation, and the activities Model Forests are doing in response to the opportunities and challenges they are faced with.
CMFN Launches New Website!
The Canadian Model Forest Network is pleased to announce the launch of its new website at www.modelforest.net. We hope you’ll explore and enjoy our new look, features and functionality as well as our updated content! We’ve incorporated several leading-edge programming tools to help us share news, information and knowledge with our members, partners and communities.
New NTFP Report Released
In the fall of 2009 and the winter of 2010, two workshops responding to the growing interest in non-timber forest resources were held in Nanaimo, British Columbia (November 6 2009) and Truro, Nova Scotia (February 18-19 2010). These workshops were sponsored by the CMFN and Royal Roads University. The Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology at Royal Roads University prepared a summary report for the Nova Forest Alliance on behalf of the Canadian Model Forest Network entitled: From East to West: Key Lessons for Non-Timber Forest Product Development in Canada’s Model Forests.
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About the CMFN
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The Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) is a not-for-Profit organization that connects stakeholders, facilitates knowledge transfer and develops practical tools, programs, and best practices that support responsible resource management.
Recent Publications
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Biomass Heating & Electricity Production: A Guide for Rural Communities in Canada
Canada is a resource rich country, supporting a wealth of renewable and non-renewable resource industries. Canadians are stewards to a large portion of the world’s temperate and boreal forests. These forests provide a range of ecological services: from water purification and storage, erosion and flood control and air quality protection, to the provision of wildlife habitat. Forests also play a critical role in climate change mitigation, with Canadian forests sequestering an estimated 95 billion tonnes of carbon. Forests provide a range of economic values: from traditional forest products, recreational values and trapping, to the potential for energy production.
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Building on the strengths of your community
Each Model Forest works regionally to promote the sustainable management of large forest landscapes through research, education and applied projects. Model Forests support forest- based communities by bringing together the information, tools and best practices needed to overcome obstacles and identify new opportunities. This guide was developed under the national Socio-Economic Indicators program. It is supported by a steering committee of CMFN members and partners from across the country.
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Pathways to Climate Change Resilience
This Guidebook and the accompanying Community Resource Collection has
been crafted based on the idea that Canadian rural communities in forest settings want guidance in
understanding and acting to reduce community impacts from the changing climate. Collecting information
and existing tools into a useful framework has been the first step for this initiative.For Resource Collection Click Here and for the Guidebook Click Here
