Around the world, forests are a source of many things to many societies. Trees provide shelter, food, wildlife habitat, medicines and fuel. They supply the raw materials for the production of paper products, lumber, tools and household goods.

As a forest products company, Weyerhaeuser Canada's future depends on the health of our forests and our environment. At our forestry unit, Saskatchewan Timberlands, we make it our business to be responsible users and resourceful managers of the province's forests.

Our forests are a source of business, of scenic beauty and a natural setting for a range of recreational activities. Most of all, our forests contribute to the health of the earth's environment.

The future of such a precious resource demands responsible action. We must ensure that our forests will be there for the next generation, and the next.

Your Forests, Our Responsibility.

Weyerhaeuser's Saskatchewan Timberlands is responsible for managing the company's forest activities under the Forest Management License Agreement (FMLA), a written contract between the province of Saskatchewan and Weyerhaeuser Canada. At Timberlands, foresters, technicians, biologists and support staff use their resources to works as a team in planning, organizing and directing contractors, cooperating with government agencies and other forest users -- and putting our operating plans into action.

Travel across Saskatchewan and you discover rich forest land that belongs to you -- the public. On your behalf, publicly owned forests are administered by the Saskatchewan Government to ensure that proper care is taken of your resource. Weyerhaeuser Canada shares in that responsibility too, through a Forest Management License Agreement (FMLA).

This 20-year agreement gives Weyerhaeuser the right to harvest timber on an area of Northern Saskatchewan's forested land for its sawmill in Big River and its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert. The agreement also states that Weyerhaeuser must ensure that harvesting is at sustainable levels, and that all harvested areas are reforested. As long as the company meets its forest management obligations, the FMLA can be extended in five-year cycles.

In return, Weyerhaeuser pays the province an annual royalty or stumpage fee of about $1 million. Each year, we must also set aside additional funds of about $3 million to cover the cost of reforestation and other silvicultural programs. Both payments are based on the volume of trees harvested each year.

All of Weyerhaeuser's forest activities must be approved in advance by Saskatchewan's Department of Environment and Resource Management. With input from the public, other forest users and stakeholders, we develop an annual operating plan that's reviewed and approved by the province. We have also drawn up a 20-year Forest Management Plan that outlines our long term strategies until the year 2010.

Planning For The Future

Advances in computer technology have played an important role improving forest management planning. A computer geographic information system (GIS) helps Timberlands planners track, analyze, manage and map all harvesting, reforestation and forest growth information. It's also a modeling tool that projects the impact of today's activities on future forest growth for timber, wildlife, heritage and other values. At the same time, the GIS system can be used as a monitor. The system can track other forest users and their use of the resource for recreation.

The Forests We Manage

In Saskatchewan, about one-third of our total land base is covered with forests. Part of Canada's Boreal Forest, our region's native species include a mixture of coniferous trees such as white and black spruce, jack pine, tamarack and balsam fir. Deciduous trees like aspen, black poplar and white birch also grow in the region. More than half of the total forest area is not commercially productive.

Weyerhaeuser's FMLA area represents about one-sixth of the province's forest area. Besides a 3.4 million-hectare area allocated for current use, there is also a 1.6 million-hectare reserve for possible future use by our company. About 55 percent of the FMLA area will remain in its natural state since it's not commercially productive forest. Except for possible construction of winter access roads, this area will be left undisturbed.

We focus our forest management efforts on the remaining 45 percent, or 1.5 million hectares of commercial productive forest in our FMLA area. Here, we annually harvest sawlogs and pulpwood from less than 6 000 hectares in small patches spread across the FMLA, or less than half of one per cent of the FMLA area's productive forest. Our silviculture program's goal is to reforest cutover areas within two years of harvest.

The average life cycle of the tree species in Saskatchewan's Boreal Forest ranges from 80 to 120 years. Trees die from old age, disease, insects or fire. In fact, for centuries, the region's forest has been renewed by natural regeneration following wildfire. The result: a predominantly even-aged forest.

In response to the public's demand for lumber, paper and other wood products from the forest industry, governments have improved fire prevention and suppression programs. The reduction of wild fires as a major element of the natural forest life cycle is partially offset by commercial harvesting and reforestation activities.

Integrated Forest Management

With close to $1 Billion invested in our Saskatchewan manufacturing facilities, Weyerhaeuser Canada is committed to building a successful future in this province.

Healthy forests are a vital ingredient in our future. By recognizing the value of forests for the environment, wildlife, recreational use, First Nations People, industry, trappers, fishermen and outfitters, Timberlands Foresters design balanced and integrated forest management plans that work to meet the needs of all forest users. Through careful planning, we can ensure a healthy and sustainable future for one of our most valuable resources.

Harvesting Our Resources

With long term planning and sound forestry practices, our foresters ensure that Saskatchewan's forests continue to be a healthy and productive resource. At the same time, Timberlands is creating business opportunities and jobs in the local area. About 50 local logging, trucking and silvicultural contractors work with Timberlands. In turn, these contractors employ about 300 people from communities in north and central Saskatchewan.

Timberland's annual harvest takes place at many sites across the FMLA area. Every year, about two million cubic metres of timber is used for lumber, pulp and paper production at the company's Big River sawmill and its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert. About 60 per cent of the timber supply for sawlogs and pulpwood is harvested from the FMLA area, while the rest is purchased from independent operators and private landowners. The purchased fibre includes residual chips from area sawmills, transforming a waste product into valuable fibre used at our pulp mill.

Timberlands foresters must develop an annual operating plan based on objectives established for each area of the forest to be harvested. This includes timber requirements, stand age, health, wildlife habitat, aesthetic and recreational values, and the interests of other traditional and commercial forest users. After all the needs and objectives are considered, foresters choose the harvesting method and reforestation prescription that suits each area the best.

Clearcutting

In Saskatchewan's forests, most stands of trees have regenerated naturally after a fire and are described as even aged. The ecology of the prevalent tree species is such that they regenerate and grow best when not shaded by other trees. That's why clearcutting is often the preferred harvesting method in this area. It creates open, sunny spaces where naturally regenerated and planted trees grow best. Shrubs and berry bushes, an important source of food for wildlife, also thrive in this environment.

When all timber is to be used, clearcutting is the most efficient and economical way to harvest. It reduces the amount of time the forest is disturbed between harvesting and reforestation activities, and decreases reforestation costs by encouraging natural renewal. It also minimizes the number and lengths of roads required for harvesting activities.

But like the aftermath of a wildfire, a clear-cut area is unsightly for the first few years following a harvest. However, forest renewal begins almost immediately. In areas where there isn't an adequate supply of natural seed cones, our foresters prescribe site preparation and tree planting within two years of harvesting to regenerate spruce or pine. Harvested areas of aspen, poplar or birch regenerate naturally, sprouting from roots or stumps.

If you're unfamiliar with forest practices, the new growth of a cutover area may not be obvious for several years, especially when you're driving by in your car. But the harvested trees will soon be replaced. A diverse, healthy and growing new forest will be visible within five to ten years.

To minimize the visual impact of clearcutting and its effect on wildlife habitat, Timberlands foresters carefully design the design, shape, location and patterns of cutover areas. This ensures that wildlife have the necessary cover to move from one area to the next, as well as access to new growth in open areas.

Selective Cutting

With selective cutting, foresters can select a specific tree species or tree size that they wish to remove from a forest area. This method is used in sensitive soil areas and on sites susceptible to soil erosion. It's used in buffer zones along the shores of lakes and streams, designed to protect water quality, fish and other aquatic life. Selective cutting may also be used as a regenerative practice for species like white spruce that do not require direct sunlight to grow. However, selective cutting isn't the best method to regenerate healthy new growth in our predominantly even-aged forest stands. This is especially true for the tree species that do not grow well in the shade of other trees, like jack pine and aspen.

It's in Our Nature to Be Resourceful

As responsible forest managers, Weyerhaeuser foresters are always looking for ways to improve their performance because the health of the future forest is in the company's future.

Existing practices are constantly being challenged and modified to integrate ecological and other environmental concerns, and reduce the impact of harvesting and reforestation on the local ecosystem. It's an ongoing process that helps us improve our knowledge of the forest and the effectiveness of our practices.

Our Future Resources

In 1967, harvesting began to supply the pulp mill near Prince Albert. By 1993, more than 50 million tree seedlings had been planted.

We estimate that about 4 million coniferous trees are harvested annually on our FMLA. In recent years, Weyerhaeuser's annual coniferous tree planting program has exceeded five to six million spruce and pine seedlings. Virtually all of the deciduous forest species, like aspen, regenerate naturally.

Our obligation: to maintain the long term sustained yield and health of the forests we manage. Natural regeneration, combined with our ongoing tree improvement and planting programs, is ensuring that this obligation is being met and even exceeded at an annual cost of more than $3 million.

We're confident that our use of Saskatchewan's forests is well within a sustainable level.

We Prescribe Renewal

Just as harvesting methods are modified for specific areas, foresters develop customized silviculture prescriptions for harvested sites. Foresters prescribe forest renewal by natural regeneration, by mechanically preparing sites and replanting by hand - or a combination of methods. Much depends upon the site's original tree species. Aspen trees naturally regenerate from root suckers in the sunny open space of a clear-cut. Conifers such as black spruce and jack pine usually regenerate naturally while white spruce is normally regenerated by planting. If an area doesn't have an adequate seed source, seedlings will be planted usually within two years after harvest.

About 95 per cent of tree seedlings survive the initial year of growth. After five years, regeneration surveys show that at least 85 per cent of the trees become part of a healthy new forest.

To ensure that a new forest is growing, Timberlands foresters regularly carry out regeneration surveys to evaluate success rates or identify problems. Where undergrowth or other tree species are competing for space, foresters also clean and thin areas, giving the new forest a chance to grow.

Growing the Tops in Trees

About 35 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert, Timberlands operates a seed orchard and research greenhouse, the headquarters for Weyerhaeuser's tree improvement program in Saskatchewan.

Established in 1977, the program's goal is to improve the quality of trees in Weyerhaeuser's reforestation program. By carefully searching Saskatchewan's northern forests, foresters have found trees with superior characteristics in growth, form, and wood quality. Cones and grafting materials have been taken from these trees and used to produce new generations of trees grown at the orchard, as well as in forest test plots and selected harvest areas.

Tree improvement staff regularly monitor the growth of the selected trees, choosing the best of the new generations to produce the next crop of seeds for reforestation. The seed orchard now supplies quality jack pine and white spruce seed to several nurseries where seedlings are grown for our reforestation program. By using a large base or trees and selectively introducing new genetic material into the tree improvement program, we're ensuring that the future generations of trees represent a large and diverse gene pool.

Sharing the Forest Resources

As forest managers, Timberlands foresters have to consider much more than harvesting and reforestation operations. As one of many forest resource users, our actions must respect the values and needs of others who live, work or play in the forest.

Our involvement in several innovative projects helps us learn more about the needs of other forest users. It also shows us how we can integrate their needs into future forest management practices.

Saskatchewan Forest Habitat Project

With input from government, First Nations people, Weyerhaeuser Canada and conservation groups, the Saskatchewan Forest Habitat Project (SFHP) is a long-term undertaking to study the effects of harvesting and renewal activities on wildlife species and their habitat.

The research program uses six wildlife indicator species to identify specific habitat needs. For example, some species of birds and animals prefer mature forest for shelter and nesting. Others make their home in young forests where there's fresh food and adequate cover. With this information, our forest planners can design new patterns, shapes and sizes of harvest areas that accommodate the needs of wildlife for shelter, food and habitat.

Prince Albert Model Forest

One of ten federally-funded model forests across Canada, the Prince Albert Model Forest is a unique project that brings together a diverse group of partners: Weyerhaeuser Canada, Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Prince Albert Tribal Council, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, the Prince Albert National Park, and the provincial section of the Canadian Institute of Forestry.

Located north of Prince Albert, the Model Forest consists of 314,670 hectares of forest, including parts of Weyerhaeuser's FMLA area, Indian Reserve Land, and the national park. The five year project has two main objectives:

• to ensure the sustainable development and use of forested lands;
• to raise everyone's awareness about the concepts of sustainability, management of the ecosystem and integrated resource management.

Why is the Model Forest such an exciting project? Because the long-term benefits of the project are just as important as its short range goals. The Prince Albert Model Forest will help its partners learn how to cooperate and gain a better understanding of each other. And that will be reflected in the future health of the forest, the environment and its users. It will also help us develop tools and information that will assist us in making better integrated forest management decisions.

Clarine Lake Demonstration Forest

Like an outdoor classroom, the Clarine Lake Demonstration forest can help you and your family learn more about what our foresters and our contractors actually do in a working forest.

In the heart of Saskatchewan's lake country, 53 kilometres north of Prince Albert on Highway #2, you can take a self-guided tour through the Weyerhaeuser Demonstration Forest. Signs and a brochure help explain the boreal forest's ecosystem and the harvesting, renewal and silviculture activities along the Demonstration Forest Trail.

Have a close up look at a recently harvested area. See a newly-planted forest or other new forests in different stages of growth. Learn more about our site preparation activities and how we take care of new forests. And make sure to bring a picnic lunch and take in the natural, scenic attractions of the forest.

Our True License to Operate

At Weyerhaeuser Canada, we believe public opinion is our true license to operate and that belief guides our actions at Saskatchewan Timberlands.

Each day we use our human and technical resources to responsibly manage Saskatchewan's forests. We're constantly seeking out resourceful ways to improve our operations for the benefit of our company, other forest users and our environment.

We also depend on you to help us in the development of integrated forest management plans for the future. We welcome your visits, your input, and your questions about the forest and Weyerhaeuser's Forest Management practices. Together, we can ensure a positive and healthy future for Saskatchewan's forest resources.