About

Background

Private forest land comprises over ten percent of managed forest land in Canada and is a significant contributor to the environment, economy, and communities. The Canadian Association of Forest Owners (CAFO) strives to balance the public interest and private property rights within a policy and incentive framework that encourages responsible stewardship. An essential element to promote viability of private forests and encourage responsible stewardship is the coordination of landowner interaction with federal agencies to ensure that legislation and policy decisions are well informed about potential impacts on privately owned lands. At any one time there are a variety of active federal programs and policy initiatives that may impact private forest landowners and related stakeholders. Sharing knowledge on environmental policy, stewardship and land value enhancement amongst landowners is needed to ensure the vitality of the private forest resource.

“CAFO-ACPF members own and manage over 5 million hectares of private forest land from coast to coast. Additionally, our members also manage over 15 million hectares of Crown (public) forest land.”

Purpose

CAFO is a coalition of associations, farmers, families and companies that own and manage forest land. We work to ensure that government policy decisions affecting our lands are made with a fair and appropriate level of respect for property rights. We aim to provide a positive and consistent voice on Federal legislation to ensure: government policy is fair, environmentally sound and encourages stewardship and investment on private forest lands; recognition of the value of forest –related ecosystem goods and services, as well as compensation for the negative impacts of regulation on forest production. Public information will assist CAFO to make its case. CAFO will pool energy and ideas to respond to needs and opportunities. CAFO will not get involved in markets and prices. The CAFO Board will work by consensus.

Governance:

• An Interim Board of 3 or 4 members will serve until 2013/14. TimberWest, JD Irving, and the Private Forest Landowners Association of BC (PFLA) will be represented on this Interim Board, with an opportunity for a small owner or Association/Federation to also join.
• An Operating Board of 7 is expected to be nominated in 2013/14.

One of the seven spots on the operating board must be reserved for each of the five categories of membership.

Interested? Read more…Terms of Reference