Conifer forest stand in Northern Ontario

Sustainability

Our business depends on the forest. We manage it so it keeps supplying the mill, and the region, for generations.

Our Timber Supply

All of the wood we saw comes from Northern Ontario forests managed under long-term licences and approved forest management plans.

  • 476,000 m³
    Conifer a year
  • 4
    Sustainable Forest Licences
  • FSC®
    Certified timber
Forest management planning in a harvested and regenerating area

Sustainable Forest Licences

In Ontario, Crown forests are managed under Sustainable Forest Licences (SFLs) — long-term licences issued by the Province. Each forest has an approved forest management plan that sets where and how much can be harvested, how roads are built, how water and wildlife habitat are protected, and how harvested areas are renewed.

About 476,000 m³ of conifer a year reaches our mill under four of these long-term licences. [confirm Lecours’ role on each licence and the names of the other three forests]

The Hearst Forest, boreal conifer stand

The Hearst Forest

The largest of the four licences is the Hearst Forest, the boreal forest around Hearst, close to our mill in Calstock. Its conifer stands are a major source of the logs we saw. [confirm species mix and area]

Sourcing close to the mill keeps hauling distances short and keeps the work in the communities that depend on the forest.

FSC® Certification

The timber we process is FSC® certified. The Forest Stewardship Council® is an independent, international organization that sets standards for responsible forest management. Certified forests are audited by accredited third parties against those standards.

For our customers, FSC® certified timber means the wood can be traced back to a responsibly managed forest — something more and more builders, distributors and end users ask for.

FSC® licence / certificate code: [confirm]

Young conifer seedlings growing in a renewed harvest area

Renewing the Forest

Every harvested area must be renewed under the forest management plan, through planting, seeding or natural regeneration, and then monitored until the new forest is established.

[confirm: seedlings planted per year, renewal methods, partners]

Our Environmental Commitment

Responsible forestry doesn’t stop at the forest edge. At the mill we aim to:

  • Use the whole log

    Chips, sawdust, bark and shavings are sold as by-products for paper, energy and other uses instead of being wasted.

  • Protect water and wildlife

    Harvesting follows the protections in each approved forest management plan for lakes, streams and wildlife habitat.

  • Meet every requirement

    We follow Ontario’s forestry and environmental rules and the standards behind our certification. [confirm any additional programs]

  • Think in generations

    As a family business since 1943, we make decisions for the long term — for the forest, our employees and the communities around Calstock and Hearst.

Need FSC® certified lumber?

Ask us for a quote and the certification details for your order.