About Us

A model forest brings together individuals and organizations with a variety of forest values. Together they form a partnership with the common goal of sustainable forest practices which provide benefit today, while ensuring a healthy forest for future generations. The multi-interest membership of each Model Forest is committed to demonstrating how different social, environmental, cultural, and economic interests can work together. The Manitoba Model Forest is developing new and better ways for people to grow with the forest through sustainable development. A non-profit organization, its activities are directed by a Board representing over 25 diverse forest interests. It brings together environmentalists, industry, all levels of government, local communities, economic development groups, unions, universities, aboriginal organizations and First Nations communities. Together they share knowledge and resources in their mutual quest for a sustainable future for Manitoba's boreal forest. The Manitoba Model Forest became a part of the Forest Communities Program during the fall of 2007. This new, federally funded program, focuses on both forests and the rural communities that rely on them. Learn more about us by clicking on the following topics:

The Manitoba Model Forest: An Historical Overview

Our organization was established in 1992, as part of the Model Forest Program of the Canadian government. The Model Forest Program was developed in response to national and international commitments surrounding the need to move towards sustainable forest management. These commitments included those made at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, as well as those found in Canada's first ever National Forest Strategy and the Canadian Forest Accord. The Manitoba Model Forest was one of ten Model Forest sites selected during a competitive process to participate in the Model Forest Program. The Model Forest Program, and the network of sites across Canada which became known as the Canadian Model Forest Network, quickly became internationally recognized for its innovative approaches to engaging diverse stakeholders in the local management of the nation's forested landscape, as well as an important vehicle to develop new and innovative processes and tools to improve forest management. In the fall of 2007, and after 15 successful years, the Model Forest Program came to an end.

With a desire to continue the legacy, the Canadian Model Forest Network, once a program of the Canadian government, incorporated as an independent non-government organization. The Manitoba Model Forest continues to be a proud member of the Network.

In the spring of 2006, the Canadian government announced a new program focussed on both forests and the rural communities that rely on them. Called the Forest Communities Program (FCP), the Canadian Forest Service released a request for proposals to all non-government organizations across Canada to become part of the new program. The Manitoba Model Forest application was successful and we became a site funded under the Forest Communities Program of Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service in the fall of 2007. As part of the development of our application, we engaged all of our current partner organizations and sought out new partners. Download a copy of the MBMF proposal to the Forest Communities Program in PDF format (628 KB) - FCP Proposal.

Over the years, the Manitoba Model Forest has benefited from the financial and in-kind support of numerous and funding partners. These include all levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal), industries, non-government organizations and individuals. Their generous contributions have greatly contributed to our success.

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Model Forests: Both a Partnership-based Approach and a Geographic Area

¬Ý1. Successful Partnerships

¬ÝA hallmark of Model Forests, and a key to our success, is the broad partnership of people and organizations who work collaboratively together. Although we all bring different environmental, social and economic perspectives to the table, we are all dedicated to improving the management of our natural resources and to sustaining our forest-dependent communities. Our diversity is our strength. Our partnership include Aboriginal Peoples, forest-dependent communities, environmental organizations, non-government organizations, industries, governments, academic institutions, trappers and other land users and private land owners, to name just a few. We work collaboratively together to improve natural resource management practices.

Wise management of our natural resources requires a good understanding of the forest and all its components (soils, plants, wildlife, water, etc.). In many respects, the Boreal forests of Manitoba historically have been poorly studied, and thus, baseline information on the ecology of the forest is lacking. When we don't have the information we need we create new partnerships to conduct research on our forests. This new information is then used to develop and test new tools to improve the management of the forest. The Manitoba Model Forest has become known worldwide for its innovative research programs and translating this research into management tools.

Model Forests do not have any regulatory authority to manage the forest. This responsibility resides with governments. However, through our partnership approach and research, the Manitoba Model Forest has had a positive influence on provincial policy including forest management practices, wildlife management, and public participation in decision-making, among others. The composition of our current board of directors reflects this diversity of interests supporting our collaborative approach to improving natural management practices.

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

Black River First Nation

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation

Community of Bissett

Community of Manigotagan

Community of Seymourville

Hollow Water First Nation

Local Government District of Pinawa

Manitoba Conservation (Government of Manitoba)

Manitoba Metis Federation

Manitoba Naturalists Society

Manitoba Trappers Association

North East Sustainable Development Association

Rural Municipality of Alexander

Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet

Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach

Sagkeeng First Nation

Tembec Enterprises Inc.

Tembec Unions

Time To Respect Earth’Äôs Ecosystems (TREE)

Town of Lac du Bonnet

University of Manitoba

University of Winnipeg

Wassaabiyaa Shining Waters Heritage Region

Winnipeg River Brokenhead Community Futures Development Corporation

Woodlot Association of Manitoba

2. A Geographic Area to Test Innovative Methods for Natural Resource Management

A History of Working in Eastern Manitoba

Established at the beginning of the Model Forest Program in 1992, the Manitoba Model Forest area is located in eastern Manitoba.

The Manitoba Model Forest area is located approximately 100 km northeast of the City of Winnipeg and is bounded on the west by Lake Winnipeg and on the east by the Manitoba/Ontario border. The area is 1,047,069 hectares (approximately 10,000 km2) in size and includes part of the Tembec-Pine Falls operations Forest Management License 01 (the only forestry tenure holder in the region), multi-use provincial parks and protected areas. Also found within the boundaries of the Manitoba Model Forest area is privately held land (predominantly in the southern part) and First Nation reserve lands.

For more information on our work in Eastern Manitoba download the complete report in PDF format (40 KB) - A History of Working in Eastern Manitoba

Expanding Our Horizons: Undertaking Projects in Western Manitoba

Under the new Forest Communities Program, the Manitoba Model Forest will be expanding its work, projects and activities into western Manitoba. The boundaries of this western area (indicated by a dashed line) are only tentative at this time. Discussions with new partners in western Manitoba will refine the geographic boundaries. A brief description of the area is provided, as this area represents a significantly different ecological context. The western area includes both the Boreal Plain ecozone and Prairie ecozone. It also encompasses the Louisiana Pacific FML 03 (the largest forestry tenure in western Manitoba at approximately 2.5 million hectares in size) and the surrounding area. In contrast to the Manitoba Model Forest area in eastern Manitoba, the western area contains much more private land and significant agriculture activity. A well established road infrastructure exists because of this. The area historically was a mixture of open prairie grasslands, hardwood, mixedwood and softwood forests. Much of the grasslands and forests have been converted to agriculture. Trembling aspen and white spruce are common on upland sites, whereas black spruce predominates on lowland sites. The western area also includes some of the most striking topographic relief in the province, including Riding Mountain National Park, the Duck and Porcupine Mountains, all of which are found in our proposed area of activity. Soils are better developed and more fertile than those in the Manitoba Model Forest area and hydrology of the western area is much more complex. The differences in climate, topography, hydrology and habitat types create differences in biodiversity and species assemblages compared to the Manitoba Model Forest area.

In terms of socio-economics, the primary industries in the western area are forestry, agriculture, mining and fishing. Agriculture is the economic mainstay for the region. There is one city (Dauphin, which is the economic hub) and several smaller towns and villages. There are seven First Nation communities within the West Region Tribal Council area, which overlaps with our proposed area of activity.

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Manitoba Model Forest Vision, Objectives and Principles

The Vision of the MBMF is:

To provide a place where people from different backgrounds can work together to learn about and appreciate all the values of the forest and help ensure those values are conserved for future generations.

To achieve the above vision, the MBMF has set the following 4 Objectives:

1) To have facilitated opportunities for local level participation in sustainable forest management with emphasis on aboriginal involvement, planning and related activities and diverse economic opportunities

2) To have ensured that the value of forests and the results and knowledge gained were communicated to practitioners, forest users and the general public.

3) To have increased the development and adoption of innovative Forest Stewardship Practices, systems and tools within and beyond the MBMF boundary including incorporation of local and traditional ecological knowledge, the development of best practices and to have multiple values effectively recognized, realized and conserved for present and future generations.

4) To have shared knowledge and participated in joint ventures with other Model Forests and organizations.

To implement our Vision and Objectives, we operate under 4 guiding principles.¬Ý The Principles of the MBMF are:

  • RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LIFE of which we are all a part, and exploration and conservation of the ecological processes and diversity of our shared forest and wildlife heritage,
  • RESPECT FOR THE DIVERSE STREAMS OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE, learning and culture that shall guide a multi-valued appreciation and wise and equitable use of the forest,
  • A CANDID AND OPEN PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACH that faces squarely potential negative impacts and conflicts and attempts to resolve them in accordance with the principles of respect for the community of life and the human community, and
  • RELIANCE UPON HUMAN INGENUITY WORKING CREATIVELY WITH NATURE’ÄôS INVENTIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY to solve problems, pursue new opportunities, and improve environmental and economic benefits and efficiency.

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¬ÝForest Communities Program

Canada's forest sector and forest-dependent communities are facing unprecedented challenges. The forest sector is dealing with issues such as rising energy costs, a strong Canadian dollar, new international competition and reduced timber supplies. Communities that depend on the forest sector are feeling the cumulative impact of these challenges. The new Forest Communities Program (FCP) will help these communities develop the tools, approaches and strategies that they need to respond to the new challenges facing Canada's forest sector.

The FCP has four main objectives:

  • develop new forest-based economic opportunities through collaboration with industry and other community stakeholders;
  • facilitate capacity-building and engagement of communities to meet sector transition issues;
  • promote and share integrated, multi-sectoral approaches to forestland management; and
  • share best practices and information tools with forest communities across Canada and internationally.

For more information on the Forest Communities Program visit their website at:

http://www.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index/fcpgm

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Manitoba Model Forest Inc
General Manager - Brian Kotak
Email Brian at miette@granite.mb.ca
P.O. Box 6500
Pine Falls, Manitoba, Canada R0E1M0
Tel: 204-367-5232
Fax 204-367-8897