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The Canadian forest industry is
already implementing many of the measures the Strategy identified for forests.
Companies are studying forest ecological functions, preparing management plans that
preserve wild species and habitat, training staff in sustainable practices, managing
forests to allow for natural regeneration, and educating the public on forest ecology.
Research
In recent years, research conducted by Corner Brook Pulp
and Paper Limited has broadened from traditional investigations into timber production to
all aspects of biodiversity. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper stores information on
wildlife populations and models habitat needs using a Geographic Information System (GIS).
We also do landscape design modeling in sensitive areas which minimizes the visual impacts
of harvesting on the forest landscapes.
Planning
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is devising biodiversity
strategies or ensuring biodiversity conservation is included in management plans.
These plans advise taking measures such as conserving indicators species, instituting
migratory and riverside corridor conservation, leaving clumps of trees or
"snags" in harvest areas.
Training
Training is a critical first step of both devising and
implementing biodiversity conservation. Under the Continuous Improvement Program of
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited, which began in 1994, staff gather on a regular basis
to discuss ideas for improving its operations. Reducing site disturbance is one of
the program's goals, which has led to seeding around culverts to protect soil from erosion
and keeping silt from getting into streams.
Management
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is establishing management
practices for individual species and the landscape that meet and in many cases exceed
provincial guidelines. Many companies are implementing management plans that connect
unharvested areas with forested corridors, maintain genetic diversity through natural
regeneration, and retain broad buffer zones along streams and rivers.
Education
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper recognizes that public awareness and support is
critical to the success of initiatives to conserve biodiversity. Providing
opportunities for students and the public to witness forestry operations,
learn about forestry techniques, and gain a stronger appreciation for
Canada's forests generally have become standard practice for many companies
across the country.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, like many other Canadian companies, conducts
tours for the public and its own employees. Since 1996 the Company has
provided public tours to demonstrate the Company's forest management
planning and operating practices for all interested parties. The Company
also gives tours and presentations to school groups, and provides a project
list that offers different activities students can do to learn about the
province's forests. Since 2001 Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has been sending
Newfoundland teachers to the Canadian Woodlands Forum Atlantic Teachers Tour
in the Maritimes. These 4-day conferences present a positive, unbiased
perception of forest management, forest product manufacturing, and the
forest sector as a whole, as well as provide the teachers with resource
materials for use in their classrooms. The Company also participates in the
annual 2-day Forest Fair organized by the Newfoundland Forest Sector
Communications Working Group.
Corner
Brook Pulp and Paper support sustainable forest management principles. They
are committed to sustaining a productive forest that can support a healthy,
competitive industry and provide the many benefits people seek through
integrated forest resource management. The industry will work to maintain
forest biodiversity and wildlife habitat over time and space, through
careful planning, silvicultural prescriptions and forest renewal programs
appropriate for each ecosystem.
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Photo by: Jessica
Galliott
College of the North Atlantic Forest Resource Technician Students
2009Tech
Students of the Forest Resource Technician program are regular
visitors to Corner Brook Pulp and Paper timber limits, observing
operations and practicing skills. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is
please to contribute to the education of these future forest
technicians. |
Green Team 1999
This Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador
1999 Green Team was sponsored by Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. The Conservation Corps
provides training and work experience to young people in the areas of environmental and
cultural heritage enhancement and conservation.
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CORNER BROOK PULP AND PAPER PARTICIPATES WITH WILDLIFE HABITAT CANADA IN
CONSERVING FOREST BIODIVERSITY
The diversity of all living things on earth, also known as biodiversity, has
emerged as the key ecological concept of the 1990s. Forests are the most
biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Many people are concerned
that current resource management practices are eroding the earth's
biodiversity. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper
realizes that biodiversity conservation is a key component of sustainable
forest management and is essential if our forest ecosystems are to remain
healthy and continue to provide the economic and environmental benefits we
now enjoy. The Canadian Standards Association Sustainable Forest Management
standards require the incorporation of a full range of values in forest
management activities. The public and our customers expect us to consider
all forest values, not just timber, when we plan and conduct our forest
management activities. In 1997 Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, along with five
other major forest companies in Canada, has joined Wildlife Habitat Canada's
Forest Biodiversity Program. This program is designed to assist forest
companies in developing innovative strategies to conserve biodiversity in
the forests they manage.
Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) is a non-profit, non government organization
whose primary aim is to protect and enhance wildlife habitat. This aim
compliments our efforts to develop and implement a biodiversity conservation
strategy for our timberlands. We participated in the WHC program to use the
experience of this national conservation organization to strengthen our
efforts in developing and implementing forest practices that will ensure the
rich biological diversity that occurs in Western Newfoundland continues. By
having an independent, conservation-oriented, third party examine what
Corner Brook Pulp & Paper does, we have developed a program that will
improve our ability in this important area of forest management.
More information about Corner Brook Pulp & Paper's involvement in this
program or about its forest management activities can be obtained by
visiting our
Contacts
page.
More information about Corner Brook Pulp & Paper's
involvement in this program or about its forest management activities can be obtained
by visiting our contacts page.
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