Forests Ontario planting partner Replant.ca Environmental helps with a 2024 reforestation project in Truro, Nova Scotia. More than 50,000 trees were planted in the area affected by Hurricane Fiona in 2022. **Peter Moddle, Forests Ontario**

Inspiring reflections on what trees mean to us

Canada is widely known as a forest nation, but do Canadians really value this abundance? Or does it take news like the devastating forest fires for people to consider the critical role forests play – not only in our daily lives but also in addressing climate change?

“Globally, a lot of people see Canada as a place with lots of forest and wilderness, and Canadians also regard this as part of our identity,” says Jess Kaknevicius, CEO at Forests Ontario, a non-profit charity working to create forested landscapes that support healthy biodiversity and local economies. “For many people, it took the fires last year to be reminded of how critical our forests are in Canada.”

During National Forest Week, Ms. Kaknevicius proposes we all take a moment to reflect on what forests mean to us.

“We can think about how interwoven forests are with our daily lives,” she says. “For some people, what comes to mind might simply be a tree in their backyard. Some might have a favourite forest where they go hiking, while others may appreciate forests for what they provide, such as essential products, employment, wildlife habitat and so much more.”

These reflections can inspire the need to help restore and conserve forested landscapes, Ms. Kaknevicius suggests, whether that’s by supporting tree-planting efforts and organizations focused on improving forest health or advocating for healthy ecosystems and biodiversity in and beyond local communities.

The wide range of perspectives on forests also means that conservation and restoration efforts must consider a diversity of voices to “achieve outcomes that balance these needs,” she says. “We’re very passionate about creating collaborative opportunities where we bring different views together and create positive conversations around key forest issues.”

One critical challenge is biodiversity loss against a backdrop of unpredictability due to a changing climate, so efforts must be focused on long-term forest health and resilience. That’s where collaboration with – and input from – partners is important, Ms. Kaknevicius explains. “We wouldn’t be able to achieve the outcomes and impacts we do year over year if it wasn’t for our trusted network of partners. When it comes to ecosystems, every geographic area is unique, so people with local knowledge – whether that’s traditional or scientific or lived experience – who understand what’s going on, are integral to our collective efforts to conserve, restore and grow healthy, resilient forests that help mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change.”

In addition to planting partners, private enterprises, non-profit organizations and all levels of government, Forests Ontario works with Indigenous communities, whose “traditional knowledge has long contributed to the sustainability of our landscape,” she says. “There is a lot we can learn by listening to – and working with – Indigenous Peoples; their connection with nature informs how they take care of the land and the forests.”

Over the last two decades, Forests Ontario – together with its national division, Forest Recovery Canada – has supported the planting of more than 46 million trees to create more than 51,000 acres of new and restored forests across Canada.

While different stakeholders might have different approaches, what counts is “working with high-quality seed and experienced partners who are focused on good work with the lens of long-term forest health and resiliency,” says Ms. Kaknevicius, who adds that it “takes a lot of time, effort and investment to restore and conserve forests. In our tree-planting work, for example, we assess land and planting objectives, collect millions of seeds annually for various projects, work with nurseries and local planting experts to get the trees in the ground, and help to ensure they survive. That’s an eight-year process.”

Such well-executed projects bring significant benefits, including mitigating climate change, she explains. “To start, trees sequester carbon. Trees are also critical for cooling the air, improving landscape resilience by preventing soil erosion, and helping to maintain a healthy water supply. I live in Toronto and know that our clean water, for example, is highly dependent on the natural landscape surrounding the city.”

It’s hard to capture the full value generated by trees on a balance sheet as they contribute to ecosystem health in a variety of ways – from water, air and soil quality, to animal habitats and pollination, to human health and beyond, she says. “Many studies show the impact of nature on our health and well-being. For me, going outside really helps with my own daily reset.”

For Ms. Kaknevicius, reflections on the importance of forests in our communities – along with our individual and collective contributions to climate change – should inspire action. “When we think about reconnecting with nature and doing something to promote healthy forests and healthy landscapes,” she says, “that, in itself, can promote healing and well-being.”