Introduction

Forest management planning in Ontario is an open and consultative process. Your participation is a key component of the process. Learn how you can participate with these 2 resources:

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. These documents are not intended to interpret rules relating to forest management planning and operations, nor do they create any new or additional policy or administrative requirements.

Help shape the future of our forests

Land acknowledgement

We acknowledge the long history of the lands referenced in this document. The forests currently managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources (the ministry) were cared for by Indigenous peoples long before the inception of Canada, Ontario or the ministry. They continue to be taken care of by Indigenous peoples today.

Our ministry separates, describes and manages the forest using geographic boundaries like management units. Although we apply this kind of system, we understand that it may be different from traditional concepts and views of the forest. We appreciate that the landscape may be understood in different ways.

We recognize that our ministry needs to work closely with Indigenous communities to achieve the goal of sustainably managing the forest for generations to come.

Indigenous communities’ unique rights and interests

Indigenous communities have unique rights and interests from other people in Ontario. These may include Aboriginal and treaty rights, recognized and affirmed in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and interests as peoples with distinct cultures, histories, languages, perspectives, needs and aspirations

The ways Indigenous communities can be involved or are consulted in forest management planning are outlined below and explained in further detail in the Handbook for getting involved in forest management on public lands in Ontario.

Why get involved

Get involved in forest management and have a say in the future of our shared forests.

To have healthy forests tomorrow, we need to look after them today. We sustainably manage our public forests to meet our present and future needs (cultural, environmental, social and economic necessities).

Although, the ministry is responsible for managing public forests, there is also a significant role for Indigenous communities and the public.

To achieve sustainability, we must consider how all users value the forest. Your involvement helps us determine and balance the goals for managing our forests.

Consider getting involved if you are interested in, or use the forest for things like:

  • hunting, fishing and trapping
  • traditional activities such as gathering, family harvesting and ceremonies
  • recreational activities like hiking, canoeing, camping and cottaging
  • business interests like tourist operations and forest operations
  • cultural heritage or conservation

The purpose of a forest management plan

Before any forest management activities take place in our public forests, we prepare a forest management plan.

The forest management planning process takes about 4 years. Throughout the process, there are opportunities for Indigenous communities and the public to get involved.

Each plan provides for the sustainability of the forest and determines:

  • the long-term objectives for the forest
  • what forest operations will occur during a 10-year period
  • the amount that can be harvested
  • where and how trees will be harvested
  • where roads can be built
  • how the forest will be regenerated

Find out more about the forest management planning process.

How to stay informed and get involved

Your participation is a key component of the process. You can participate in the following ways:

  • review material and provide comment at 4 points during the planning process when the ministry formally requests input
  • make an appointment any time during the development or implementation of a plan
  • read an approved plan or an annual report about the plan’s implementation
  • review annual work schedules to learn when and where operations will occur

Local Indigenous communities may also:

  • have a representative on the planning team and local citizens’ committee
  • work with the ministry to develop a customized approach to consultation
  • identify values for protection and help with developing and reviewing related reports
  • review and comment on the plan

Find out when things are happening in:

Make an appointment or get help:

Providing input during planning process

Get involved and provide your input into the planning process. There are 4 stages of consultation, where we formally request input:

This is your opportunity to get involved in a plan. Public notices will be issued at each stage of consultation as:

For more detail visit our Handbook for getting involved in forest management on public lands in Ontario.

Stage 1: invitation to participate

This stage is advising you that we are starting to develop a plan. The planning process begins by updating data about the forest and gathering information from its users.

At the start of the planning process, you can:

  • review the information we have so far
  • identify your interests
  • share what you know about the forest
  • share resource values information
  • provide your views on what you want the forest to look like in the future and what benefits you want the forest to provide in the future

For example:

  • locations of tourism establishments
  • canoe routes
  • mining claims
  • archaeological sites
  • traplines, cabins and trails
  • wildlife habitat areas

Providing this information early in the process helps ensure we can consider all values.

During this initial period, the information is available:

Stage 2: review the proposed management direction

Review and comment on the proposed management direction, for example:

  • areas proposed for harvest over 40 years (called the spatial harvest schedule)
  • location of access, harvest, renewal and tending operations for 10 years
  • planned primary and branch roads (longer-term roads) and operational road boundaries (short-term roads)
  • road use management strategies like who can use a road and when, who is responsible for maintaining a road, and if a road will close in the future
  • location of values or important ecological features
  • operational prescriptions and conditions developed to prevent, minimize or mitigate any negative effects on values or important ecological features

During this 60 day review period:

Stage 3: review the draft plan

Review the draft plan and check that your interests and concerns were considered.

During this 60 day review period:

  • an in-person or virtual information forum may be offered
  • the draft plan is available on the Natural Resources Information Portal
  • a summary of the draft plan is also available to assist you in your review

After review of the draft, the plan author revises the plan and submits it for approval.

Stage 4: inspect the approved plan

Once approved, you can inspect the plan. During the plan’s implementation (10 years):

More about the forest management planning process

Before any forest management activities can take place, we prepare a forest management plan for each management unit in the province.

Management units are areas of forest that range in size from 300,000 to 3.6 million hectares. They span the province from Kemptville in the southeast to Pikangikum in the northwest forming what we call the managed forest.

Managed forest and management units 2024

map of Ontario forest management units with unit numbers

Learn more about Management Units and Forest Management Plan Renewal Schedules.

The forest management planning process follows a legal and policy framework that provides direction for the sustainable management and use of public forests.

The foundation of the forest policy framework is the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. It requires that each plan have regard for:

  • plant and animal life
  • water, soil and air
  • social and economic values like recreation and heritage

To achieve this requirement, each plan has a management direction that balances objectives related to forest diversity, socio-economics, forest cover and silviculture.

A Registered Professional Forester prepares the plan with help from:

  • an interdisciplinary planning team
  • Indigenous communities and interested members of the public
  • a Local Citizens’ Committee

Preparing a plan takes about 4 years. Each plan covers 10 years and outlines:

  • the long-term objectives for the management unit
  • what forest operations will occur

The planning team identifies the desired benefits from the forest and sets objectives to achieve these benefits. Forest management objectives are wide ranging and relate to things such as:

  • wood supply for mills
  • biodiversity
  • forest structure and composition

Then, with help from computer models, they examine alternative scenarios and determine the levels and types of access, harvest, renewal and tending activities needed to meet these objectives.

The team also determines the planned harvest area, which is the maximum amount that we can sustainably harvest over the 10-years covered by the plan.

The ministry uses a set of forest management guides to provide direction on acceptable forest management practices.

The ministry approves a plan when satisfied that it provides for the sustainability of the forest. After approval, forest managers put the plan into action by:

  • preparing annual work schedules of the operations from the approved plan
  • using responsible practices and following standards
  • monitoring and reporting on the plan’s implementation

If you would like more information on managing public forests in Ontario and how you can get involved: