National Forest Week is sponsored across Canada by the CFA and regionally by various provincial forestry agencies, corporations, agencies and individuals.

2011 National Forest Week: September 18- to 24
Theme: Forests for People - Celebrating Canada's Forests in 2011

View 2011 Calendar of Events

Forestry in Canada has evolved over the years to meet society’s changing needs and advancing technologies, embracing new partnerships, markets and applications.

Increasingly, Canada’s forests are valued for not just one purpose -- but many. Agreements are emerging between groups representing social, environmental and economic interests, and forest managers across the country are rising to the challenge. More and more we are seeing the advantages of such collaborative efforts.

Forests are fundamental to our economy, culture, traditions and history - and to our future. Communities, families and individuals depend on forests for their livelihood and way of life.

The United Nations delcared 2011 the International Year of Forests. This year-long celebration is an opportunity in raising awareness about how forests contribute to a healthy environment and to the quality of life.

It is also an occasion to showcase forest-related events and activities and to demonstrate Canada's global leadership in sustainable management of the resource.

The overarching theme for the year, Forests for People, promotes the wise use and conservation of forests. The theme reminds us that forests and people are connected. It conveys the central role of people in sustainable forest management and the many benefits forests provide.

In Canada, forests provide the economic backbone for many communities across the country. Likewise, the community involvement in forest management ensures that innovative approaches, technologies and tools are used for forest conservation and for the creation of sustainable industries.

The International Year of Forests focuses on three converging ideas for which Canada demonstrates a strong committment: Sustainable forest management, Multiple forest values, and Forests in everday life.

History
Established circa 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, the intention was to encourage greater public awareness towards Canada's forests. At the time, there was no apparent shortage of trees for industrial expansion – the greatest threat came from forest fires, due mainly to human causes.

Since then National Forest Week, as it was renamed in 1967, has evolved to encompass the many and varied human and environmental aspects of Canada's forest resources – past, present and future.

Although special activities are promoted across Canada, National Forest Week remains first and foremost a challenge to individual Canadians to learn more about their forest heritage and support greater recognition of this valuable resource.

National Forest Week is observed annually during the last full week of September, Sunday through Saturday.

How to Participate in National Forest Week
- arrange a tree planting: www.treecanada.ca
- take a walk in woods nearby and get to know your forest
- care for a newly planted or neglected tree, and study its species
- identify all the things at home or school that are made of wood
- learn about organizations that demonstrate sustainable forest management
- tour a forest sector industry or processing site
- learn about the prevention of forest fires
- contact a provincial forestry association for teaching materials

Register Your National Forest Week Event
We invite you to celebrate National Forest Week in your neck of the woods. Let us know what you're doing by submitting your event. We will post it on our Forest Week Calendar.