Boreal Forest
- The world’s largest land-based ecosystem, circling the upper part of northern hemisphere and covering 35% of Canada.
- Primarily evergreen forest type (spruce, pine, fir)
- 30% of all the world’s boreal is in Canada.
- Canada retains about 90% of its original forest cover.
- Of the 10% that is gone, most has been lost to agriculture and urbanization not forestry practices. (Canadian Forest Service)
The boreal is Canada’s largest eco-region, accounting for 35% of the country’s land area and 72% of its forests. For decades, AbitibiBowater has worked with governments, communities, Aboriginal peoples and other stakeholders to protect wildlife habitats, breeding grounds, and unique or culturally important eco-systems in the boreal forest.
AbitibiBowater owns or manages 17.6 million hectares (43.5 million acres) of forestland in North America, most in Canada’s boreal. Nearly all of this is certified to globally recognized sustainable forest management standards. We harvest less than ½ of 1% of the forests we manage (same as Canadian average).
AbitibiBowater's forestry operations in Ontario and Quebec occur primarily on publicly owned land under provincial licenses in Canada’s boreal forest, a diverse ecological system that includes forests, wetlands, grasslands, tundra and rivers. Our practices are governed by stringent government environmental standards and regulations designed to promote healthy, sustainable forests, balancing environmental, social and economic values.
As required by provincial laws and regulations, AbitibiBowater prepares 20- or 25-year forest management plans, which are revised every five years. Public participation is a critical part of the process and AbitibiBowater encourages local community groups, individuals and First Nation’s communities to participate in the planning process.
AbitibiBowater's activities are also carried out in conformance with globally recognized sustainable forest management standards, to which we are third-party certified by independent auditors.
For further information regarding our activities in the boreal by province, please see the fact sheet below.