British Columbia prides itself on being a world leader in sustainable forest management. Since specific reforestation programs began in the 1930s, over 7.5 billion trees have been planted.

• About 80%[1] of harvested areas are reforested by planting; the balance through natural regeneration.
• On average, about 218 million seedlings are planted each year in British Columbia.
• In 2016, about 259 million trees were planted and, for 2017, about 266 million trees are planned to be planted.
• The Forests for Tomorrow program deals with reforestation challenges created by B.C.’s unprecedented mountain pine beetle infestation and increasingly severe wildfire seasons.
• Since its inception in 2005, Forests for Tomorrow has invested over $445 million in reforestation activities, surveyed approximately 1.7 million hectares in mountain pine beetle affected areas and planted more than 193 million seedlings on over 138,000 hectares.
• Through the Forests for Tomorrow program about 17 million seedlings were planted in 2016 and approximately 22 million seedlings will be planted in 2017.
• It is estimated that since 2005, the trees planted by Forests for Tomorrow will result in the sequestration of about 19 million tonnes of carbon. In the past eight years, carbon sequestration has averaged about two million tonnes per year.
• In 2016, government invested $85 million in the newly formed Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. and provided another $150 million to the society in 2017.
• The society’s goals are to advance environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia’s forests by:
  • preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires
  • improving damaged or low-value forests
  • improving habitat for wildlife
  • supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low-value forests
  • treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases
• British Columbia uses a mix of over 20 different native tree species in its reforestation programs. This mix of tree species helps maintain ecosystem processes, resilience and diverse habitats.
• Licensees are legally required to reforest the areas that they harvest. This has been the law in B.C. since Oct. 1, 1987.
• Sites being planted by Forests for Tomorrow are strategically selected so they deliver multiple benefits:
• Contributing to the future timber supply and ecological integrity.
• Addressing environmental values like soil and hydrology.
• Providing employment.
• By relying on a broad range of scientific knowledge and latest research, Forests for Tomorrow is developing effective reforestation strategies and revitalizing British Columbia’s forest landscapes.

[1] Based on the recent 10-year average area reforested  by planting as compared to the area reforested through natural regeneration and classified as non-productive