Our approach to maintaining biodiversity in the working forest is to ensure the diversity of tree species, ages, and structures remain present with long-term management planning. We also ensure that all streams, wetlands, and site-specific wildlife habitats, like large snag trees, raptor nests, and bear dens are protected in all operating areas. We train all staff and contractors annually on regulations and how to identify site-specific habitats. Using our internally developed Forest Species of Concern Guidelines we identify biodiversity concerns and best practices to ensure we conserve important features and habitats that species need.

We added 156 new conservation sites in 2021

We use a variety of harvesting and reforestation methods that create diversity at the landscape level. All harvested areas in the region naturally regenerate to softwoods, hardwoods, and mixed forest areas. Even-aged forests are created with clearcutting on less than 50 per cent of area each year. Some of these areas are planted with native species, while some are naturally regenerated. We rely extensively on natural regeneration where we use selection harvesting methods, creating forests of un-even age, and mixed species. 

Naturally regenerated hardwoods are an important food source for large mammals like moose and deer. The change in the forest following harvesting creates immediate abundance in annual and perennial grasses and shrubs that did not exist in the older forest. These new plants, flowers, and berries create food sources for birds, insects, reptiles, and small mammals.

With more than 30 years of research on our Northern New Brunswick woodlands, we have learned that planted areas are significant contributors to clean water and habitat for a variety of mammals, birds, insects, and plants.