Forestry
A few short decades ago, forestry was the predominant industry in Newfoundland; however, over the past decade there has been a staggering decline in this sector. The biggest factor responsible for this is the appreciating Canadian dollar, which has caused lowered demand from world markets, and also allowed foreign exporting countries to become more competitive in both the newsprint and lumber sectors. In 2009, forestry directly/indirectly employed 5,500 Newfoundlanders, and brought in 250 million dollars to the provincial economy 1.

Newsprint is the principle use of Newfoundland’s wood products, as its forests consist largely of softwoods such as spruce and balsam fir, which are ideal for pulp and paper production. The dense population of these trees provided the base for three paper mills to operate in the province for years out of Corner Brook, Grand Falls Windsor and Stephenville. Today, due to the downturn in this industry only the Corner Brook mill remains in operation, as the Stephenville mill closed in 2005, and the Grand Falls mill followed shortly after in 2009.

The most notable forestry activity in the Zone today is Forest Flooring and Panelling, based in Cold Brook just outside of Stephenville. With lumber harvested from the area, they process it at their saw mill on site to produce flooring, paneling, stairs, and other lumber products.

After years of wooded areas being harvested throughout the Zone for the paper industry the provincial government has funded several silviculture (reforestation) projects in the area to help regenerate forests that would have trouble re-growing otherwise. Such areas include the surrounding areas of Stephenville and stretches along the Burgeo highway. These temporary jobs have stimulated thousands in government funding, and created over 100 person weeks of employment.

Forestry Related Links

Department of Natural Resources
  		•  Includes forestry overviews, statistics, maps and information on things such as forest fires, recreation and enforcement.
    Natural Resources Canada
  		•  Information on forest types and forestry economy, as well as reports and statistics.
    Model Forest of Newfoundland & Labrador
  		•  A non-profit organization that was formed to help sustain and advance our forests. This site contains information on the state of the forests, and projects being carried out.
    National Foresty Database
  		•  This page includes information on forest inventory, wood supply, silviculture, jurisdictional data, as well as national data.
    Newfoundland & Labrador Forest Protection Association
  		•  Information on how to protect, sustain and preserve Newfoundland’s forests.
    CBC News Canada
  		•  Abitibi-Consolidated’s announcement to permanently close its newsprint mill in Stephenville.


    1 Department of Natural resources. (2011). Forestry. Retrieved from http://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/forestry/index.html
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