The Ministry of Environment today released the State of the Environment 2019: A Focus on Forests.  It is the second comprehensive assessment of Saskatchewan’s provincial forests and stands as the province’s 2019 State of the Environment Report.

The report assesses 24 diverse indicators of forest health, captured under four broad headings: productivity and resilience; economic and social benefits; conserving biological diversity, and sustainable forest management.  It fulfills the ministry’s legislated commitment to report on the state of Saskatchewan’s Crown forests at least every 10 years.

“Overall the news is good, as our forests continue to be sustainably managed with harvested areas appropriately renewed,” Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said.  “Saskatchewan continues to lead the country in Indigenous participation in the forest sector, and our forest industry is thriving with room to grow.”

Most of the indicators in the State of the Environment 2019: A Focus on Forests are new or substantially modified from the 2009 report.  They reflect evolving information and technology, as well as new challenges, including a changing climate.  As well, the report now uses a more dynamic online format, allowing for more interactivity and ongoing updates as new information becomes available.

“The Ministry of Environment continues to strive for balance among the social, economic and ecological benefits that forests provide,” Duncan said.  “It is only by objectively assessing how well we are achieving this balance that we can continue to do better.”

To view the complete report online, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/state-of-the-environment/state-of-the-environment-2019-a-focus-on-forests.