Forest knowledge: the motto of the Consortium en foresterie Gaspésie–Les-Îles

Consortium in forestry Gaspésie–Les-Îles (participants of a field workshop)

The Consortium en foresterie Gaspésie–Les-Îles is an organization dedicated to the acquisition and transfer of knowledge for sustainable forest development.  It had developed a one-of-a-kind expertise in Quebec that has helped make the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region a leader in the field of forest research.

In creating the Consortium in 2003, regional stakeholders set out to answer one all-important question: Can the know-how of those who are studying and using our land and resources be pooled together to improve our overall knowledge of the forest? After 30 applied research projects, 80 technology transfer activities and the establishment of 145 research sites in the region,  the answer to that question is as clear as…well…maple water! 

Quebec forest landscape

The Consortium determines the focus of its research activities, in collaboration with the local community, small and medium-sized businesses, the forest industry and other researchers—including those from the Université du Québec à Rimouski—on the basis of three major themes: ecosystem development, intensive silviculture and integrated resource management. Its achievements, which run the gamut from studies on silviculture, non-timber forest products and the challenges of ecosystem management, to newsletters, workshops and conferences, constitute a valuable bank of information, a public treasure trove accessible to all. Canada Economic Development not only contributed to the creation of the Consortium, it has also continued to help enrich the knowledge of regional entrepreneurs and communities by funding the organization's research activities and ad hoc projects.

The importance of roots

To know where you're going, it's always a good thing to know where you've been. With that in mind, the Consortium sifted through data from the 1800s (including information on tree species,  mapping and age structure) to compile a portrait of the forests of the Gaspé peninsula and Magdalen Islands as they existed prior to colonization. With this as a benchmark, the organization then studied the differences between the forest then and now, proposing solutions and follow-up actions to help restore balance to the ecosystems. The conclusions of this study are to be released later this year.

Seeing the forest for the trees!

Consortium en foresterie Gaspésie–Les-Îles (wildlife tree)

The forest management system currently in effect in Quebec was established in 1987. But since that time, thanks to documentary films like Richard Desjardins' L’Erreur boréale, the Coulombe report on the future of Quebec's forests and the Genest report on the Gaspésie forest industry, mentalities have begun to change, and now the laws and regulations are about to follow suit. In March 2013, the Sustainable Forest Development Act will take the place of Quebec's existing Forest Act. This new legislation centres on such key concepts as ecosystem-based development, integrated resource management and regionalized land management,  providing as much rationale for the existence of the Consortium as food for thought for its dynamic team of professionals. The application of these new principles should result in greater respect for animal and plant species,  better harmonization of land use (by hunters, fishers, tourists and gatherers, among others) and enriched collective wealth. The Consortium's experts are geared up and ready to dig in!