Media Centre

Backgrounders

Canadian Boreal Initiative

Established in 2003 and based in Ottawa, the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) is a convener bringing together governments, industry, First Nations, conservation groups, major retailers, financial institutions and scientists to create new solutions for the conservation and sustainable development of the Boreal Forest. CBI works with its partners and interested parties to link science, policy and conservation activities in Canada's Boreal region.

CBI was created in response to both the opportunities and threats facing Canada's Boreal region. Its long-term vision is to safeguard the balance of nature for all time in Canada's Boreal region through protected areas and conservation lands; state-of-the-art sustainable development practices; and engagement of local communities and First Nations in land management decisions.

In December 2003, CBI convened the Boreal Leadership Council, an extraordinary group of conservation organizations, First Nations and resource companies. In concert with the members of the council, CBI created and launched the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework – a vision for the protection and sustainable development of Canada's entire Boreal ecosystem.

CBI has released research on the importance of the Boreal region for migratory birds and published a review of progress marking the fourth anniversary of a June 1999 Canadian Senate report on conserving the Boreal region.

Most recently CBI released:

• Conservation Value of the North American from an Ethnobotanical Perspective (February 2010)

• The Carbon the World Forgot: Conserving the Capacity of Canada's Boreal Forest Region to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change (November 2009)
• The Real Wealth of the Mackenzie Region: Assessing the Natural Capital Values of a Northern Boreal Ecosystem (January 2007, updated in 2010).
• Counting Canada's Natural Capital: Assessing the Real Value of Canada's Boreal Ecosystems (November 2005)
• The Boreal in the Balance: Securing the Future of Canada's Boreal Region (January 2005) - a national report on the status of conservation in Canada's Boreal region.

August 23, 2007