Bronze Sponsors of FO Conference 2018, including Maple Leaves Forever. Credit: Forests Ontario on Twitter
Keynote address by Mark Robinson at Forestry Ontario Conference. Photo: @JesseKak on Twitter
Maple Leaves Forever participated in the 2018 Forests Ontario Conference at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston on February 9th. More than 400 people attended the event.
Climate change and its “ripple effect” on the environment and society was the focus of the conference.
Throughout the day, speakers addressed the potential impact of Climate Change on Canada’s forests and the ripple effects it may have on everything related to forests, the environment, society and our economy. To introduce the reality of climate change, keynote speaker Mark Robinson from Storm Hunters, showed videos and provided commentary on the increasing regularity and severity of violent storms occurring across the US and Canada.
Guest speakers talked to the challenges of managing our forests and woodlots while climate change occurs and how it will influence the diversity we have become accustomed to. Examples of long term studies showed changes within the forest complex and how some wildlife populations are being impacted – the Canada Jay populations in Ontario are in steep decline; the hybridization of flying squirrels is recognized as their natural ranges overlap.
The survival of some of our native species, including Maples, may be at risk as non-native species migrate into the woodlots and forests of eastern Canada.
The closing topics discussed sustainably managing your forests for Carbon and the challenges government and industry face Navigating Carbon Markets.
Sponsors of FO Conference 2018, including Maple Leaves Forever. Credit: Forests Ontario on Twitter