Understanding Our Northern Forest Region

The boreal is a band of coniferous forests located in a large area of northern Canada. It is a significant component of our landscape. This region is very important to the earth's environmental balance. It produces oxygen as well as absorbs and stores carbon dioxide. The boreal forest also plays a role in reducing the effects of climate change.

The boreal is an important forest type in other regions around the world as well. Globally, it is called the 'circumboreal'. This includes not only Canada, but also Russia, Scandinavia, and the United States (the state of Alaska).

Communities in this forest type have many concerns, such as global warming and changes in the forest sector. This affects how the forest is managed. The Canadian Model Forest Network is working with our members in the boreal to develop projects that address their issues, including the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement. We are also providing the opportunity for our members to link with other circumboreal Model Forests worldwide, to learn from each other and find solutions to similar problems.