Forest Renewal Trust

The Forest Renewal Trust provides dedicated, sustainable funding for eligible forest renewal work carried out on Crown managed forests in Ontario.

The Forest Renewal Trust operates under the terms of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. The trust is a significant part of Ontario’s forest management program.

Forest renewal activities that are funded by the trust include:

  • seed collection and processing
  • seedling production and planting
  • site preparation and tending
  • regeneration surveys
  • modified harvesting that promotes natural renewal

How it works

Forest resource licence holders that harvest forest resources make payments into the Trust based on harvest volumes (the amount of wood harvested).

Following harvest, forest managers for each management unit are responsible for renewing the forest according to the approved management plan. When forest managers undertake renewal activities, they submit invoices to the Forest Renewal Trust to be reimbursed for the completed renewal work.

The Forest Renewal Trust Advisory Committee provides the ministry with recommendations on administration and operation of the trust.

Forest Renewal Trust charges

Forest resource licence holders pay a Forest Renewal Trust charge for each cubic metre of wood harvested in Ontario. The Forest Renewal Trust charge is one component of Crown timber charges.

This charge varies depending upon anticipated renewal costs and is set annually by the ministry in consultation with forest industry.

Forest Renewal Trust charges vary by:

  • tree species
  • renewal needs
  • management unit

View current Forest Renewal Trust charges

How to get reimbursed for forest renewal activities

When forest managers undertake renewal activities, they submit invoices to the Forest Renewal Trust secretariat to be reimbursed for the completed renewal work.

Audited financial statements for the Forest Renewal Trust

The annual financial statements:

  • provide a summary of the Forest Renewal Trust’s performance, including the total gains and losses accrued in a fiscal year
  • report the Trust’s financial position at the beginning and end of the year

A third-party auditing firm oversees the development of the statements to make sure all information is accurately represented. These financial statements are published to ensure transparency of the financial transactions for eligible forest renewal activities undertaken by forest managers following harvest.

Forest Renewal Trust audited financial statements

You can find Forest Renewal Trust financial statements from 2017 and earlier on Public Accounts.

Forestry Futures Trust

The Forestry Futures Trust was established in 1994 under the Crown Timber Act and continued under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. It ensures that forest renewal activities can be carried out in the event of unexpected occurrences or natural depletions of the forest. The trust is a significant part of Ontario’s forest management program.

The purpose of the trust is to provide the funding for:

  • silvicultural expenses in Crown managed forests where forest resources have been killed or damaged by fire or natural causes.
  • silvicultural expenses on land that is subject to a forest resource licence, if that licensee becomes insolvent.
  • intensive stand management and pest control in respect of forest resources in Crown managed forests.
  • other purposes as may be specified by the minister, including the:
    • Independent Forest Audit program
    • Local Forest Management Corporation (LFMC) Conversion Program
    • Treaty Settlements Transition Component
    • Forest Genetic Resource Management Program
    • scientific memberships
    • Enhanced Forest Resource Inventory program
    • 2 Billion Trees Program

2 Billion Trees Program

Ontario is participating in the Government of Canada's 2 Billion Trees Program by establishing a cost-share program that provides forest resource licence holders with provincial and federal funds for eligible incremental tree planting projects in the managed Crown forest.

The tree planting program will:

  • provide a joint investment of up to $288 million by 2031 to increase tree planting and grow Ontario’s forest cover
  • create jobs for tree planters, site preparation contractors and nursery workers in northern, rural and Indigenous communities
  • increase economic opportunities for service providers and equipment manufacturers

In Ontario’s managed Crown forest, the 2 Billion Trees Program is administered through the Forestry Futures Trust.

Approved projects must follow regular forest management planning processes and policies.

How the Forestry Futures Trust works

The source of the funds for the trust comes from the Forestry Futures Trust charge paid by the forest industry based on harvest volumes (the amount of wood harvested). The Forestry Futures charge is one component of Crown timber charges.

The trust is administered by the Forestry Futures Trust Committee (FFTC) which is appointed by the minister.

The FFTC oversees the use of funds from the Trust by issuing calls for proposals, reviewing proposals and approving projects to be funded under the Trust.

How to get funding

The FFTC considers proposals from eligible applicants.

Contact the FFTC for more information

Forestry Futures Trust charges

Forest resource licence holders pay a Forestry Futures Trust charge for each cubic metre of wood harvested in Ontario.

The forestry futures and forest resource inventory components of the Forestry Futures Trust charge are consistent across the province.

View current Forestry Futures charges

Audited financial statements for the Forestry Futures Trust

The annual financial statements:

  • provide a summary of the Forest Futures Trust's performance, including the total gains and losses accrued in a fiscal year
  • report the Trust’s financial position at the beginning and end of the year
  • provide a summary of the financial performance of other purposes as specified by the minister

A third-party auditing firm oversees the development of the statements to ensure transparency and make sure all information is accurately represented.

Forestry Futures Trust audited financial statements

You can find Forestry Futures Trust financial statements from 2017 and earlier on the Forestry Futures Trust Ontario website.