REPORT ON SASKATCHEWAN’S PROVINCIAL FORESTS RELEASED

Saskatchewan has taken an important first step toward comprehensive and regular reporting on the state of the province’s forests, with the release of the Report on Saskatchewan’s Provincial Forests.
 
This report is the first of three reports, each progressively more detailed, building toward the full State of the Provincial Forests Report that is scheduled for release in 2009.  The first report introduces 22 indicators, based on the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ framework that will be used to evaluate the state of Saskatchewan’s provincial forests.  Examples of indicators include: the area of forest disturbed by fire, insects and diseases and harvest; status of forest species at risk; and forest sector employment trends.  The report also gives an overview of the forest and forest management activities taking place in the Provincial Forest, with related statistics going back to 1999.

“Saskatchewan’s forests will continue to play an important role in the province’s environment and economy,” Environment Minister John Nilson said.  “The information in this and subsequent reports allows readers to track our progress toward sustainable forest management, and supports our strategic outcomes around measuring, reporting and accountability as outlined in the province’s Green Strategy.”

When the next report is released later this year, it will include a progress assessment on eleven of the 22 indicators.  An assessment against all 22 indicators will be included in the State of the Provincial Forests Report that will be tabled in 2009.

The Report on Saskatchewan’s Provincial Forests is available on-line at: www.se.gov.sk.ca/forests/forestmanagement.

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For more information, contact:

Rod Thompson
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-2454
Email: rod.thompson@gov.sk.ca