NCC: Land Lines – Forest insights: 5 surprising facts about Canada’s woodlands
Boreal Wildlands, ON (Photo by NCC)
Canada’s forests are home to people and creatures of all types. They are habitats and places of recreation and refuge. However, due to several pressures, including unnaturally large wildfires, invasive species, and habitat destruction and degradation, these ecosystems and their benefits are under threat. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is working with partners to conserve and sustainably manage forests across Canada to protect these places, along with the lives and communities they sustain.
National Forest Week is coming up! To help get you motivated to explore nearby forests, here are five fun facts about forests:
- Forest make up about 40 per cent of land in Canada, or roughly 3.6 million square kilometres.
- Since 1962, NCC has helped conserve nearly 1.6 million hectares of forested habitat across Canada. That’s more than twice the size of PEI!
- There are eight different forest regions across Canada, each with its own unique characteristics and needs.
- Close to 75 per cent of the country’s forests are found in the boreal zone of Canada. The boreal forests in Canada are some of the largest and most intact forests left on Earth.
- The Wabanaki (Acadian) forest is located in the Maritimes and boasts a rich diversity of more than 30 tree species, including yellow birch, red spruce, American beech and sugar maple, which are known for their vibrant fall colours.
Fall is an especially great time to explore forests. From September 22 to 28, why not head out into one of the eight forest regions near you!
About the Author
NCC staff Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has protected areas of natural diversity for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of our children and those after them. To this day, NCC continues to protect land and share stories of nature, wildlife, science and conservation.
