This Year’s 5 Biggest Forestry Stories

This was a big year for forestry. Forestry was front and centre, from wildfires to funding to our first Our Trees campaign. Because of the support of our members, there is a growing acknowledgement of the importance of our sector and the work we do.

Wildfires

This year, 220 wildfires destroyed 25,000 hectares of land and 200 homes. That was in Nova Scotia alone. Nova Scotians now understand that if we want to get serious about combating wildfires, we must get serious about forestry.

Investment Tax Credit

The federal government’s fall economic statement contained good news for the forest economy. The statement included news that it will include forest biomass conversion technologies for heat and electricity generation in its Clean Manufacturing and Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credits (ITCs).

This announcement will make it easier to attract investment to our forest sector. Northern Pulp’s closure led to a massive surplus of low-grade wood in Nova Scotia. This tool will make it easier to attract businesses to our province to use this low-grade wood.

Funding for Contractors

The Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Trust announced $9.85 million in new support for forestry contractors. The Nova Scotia Community College will administer the program, and the criteria and application process are currently under development. An eligible business could receive up to $500,000 from the program.

Northern Pulp

Northern Pulp requested a six-month extension until June 30, 2024, focusing on reaching a mediated resolution with the Province of Nova Scotia and submitting a detailed Environmental Assessment (EA) report. A Supreme Court judge in British Columbia extended creditor protection for Northern Pulp through the end of next June on Tuesday, but officials predict there will be a resolution before then.

Our Trees Success

In 2023, thousands of Nova Scotians helped us plant 16,000 seedlings around the province. Thousands of Nova Scotians requested seedlings as part of this program. Because of all our effort, 16,000 seedlings were planted around the province.

Click here to explore the campaign’s positive environmental impact.

Did we forget something? Leave a comment below and let us know.