In forestry, true impact means more than just planting seeds

To mitigate the most disastrous effects of climate change, scientists estimate that up to 10 gigatons of atmospheric carbon will need to be removed annually by 2050. To hit that mark, we need to deploy nature-based solutions — and we need to do so now.

The nature-based solutions market is growing rapidly. In 2023, there was approximately $200 billion invested in it, according to the United Nations’ State of Finance for Nature report. While we must scale our efforts to harness nature to benefit our planet, people and wildlife, it’s not sufficient to simply plant trees. We must invest in forests.

Instead of emphasizing the number of trees planted, organizations must consider the forested ecosystems as a whole. If we plant 100,000 trees in the wrong location and they either can't survive or harm native species, did we actually accomplish anything other than a flashy headline? While eye-catching, this isn't true impact.

Forests aren't just a cluster of trees; they are intricate ecosystems with complex ecological interactions, from the soil, microorganisms and plant species to the wildlife that depend on them for habitat. It is crucial that forest restoration involves proper planning and that the right species are planted in the right locations.

A recent study determined the carbon sequestration power of forests can be increased by 25 percent simply by carefully selecting species. If you were to scatter random puzzle pieces, would you expect to create a clear picture? No, you would assemble the pieces strategically — and the same principle must be true for forest restoration.

As a professional forester with 13 years of experience in the field, I have designed and implemented various ecosystem-based projects and restored critical habitats across Western Canada. I have seen firsthand the tremendous benefits that come from holistic restoration where foresters build and execute a plan.

This includes decompacting soils while building micro-habitats for future tree seedlings to reach water and nutrients, controlling highly-competitive vegetation such as grasses or noxious weeds that limit or preclude tree seedling survival, and strategically placing diverse species suitable for the region and changing climate. More than a decade after planting, foresters continue to measure, monitor and manage each tree seedling individually — all at a landscape scale.

I have also witnessed from the sidelines the detriment that poorly planned projects or improper techniques can have on wildlife and ecosystems. These efforts are often motivated by marketing, new technology or timing, such as when seeds or seed pods are dropped from a drone and land in existing vegetation or don’t reach mineral soil for establishment.

The unfortunate reality is that when action precedes planning, or when marketing is prioritized over expertise, the severe consequences are felt by our habitats and wildlife and we as people and the planet stand to gain nothing.

Recently, a paper published in Science addressed an initiative by the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) aimed at restoring 133.6 million hectares of land. The study found that, of the land earmarked for reforestation across Africa, 70.1 million hectares consisted of non-forest ecosystems — primarily grasslands and savannahs. While trees can be incredibly beneficial when native species are planted in appropriate locations, they can also significantly disrupt ecosystems that wildlife depends on, if planted in unsuitable habitats.

Foresters have been leading science-based forestry for decades, and Canada is a global leader in sustainable forest management. There is a reason we still plant trees with a shovel and it’s an effort that doesn’t just cost a dollar. While trees can be incredibly beneficial when native species are planted in appropriate locations, they can also significantly disrupt ecosystems.

Building forests is a scientific endeavor, and ecologists, biologists and forestry professionals must be consulted to ensure that degraded areas are adequately assessed and that a tailored restoration plan is implemented.

In 2011, I founded Wild + Pine to enhance the ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions markets and help corporations reach their environmental and climate objectives by investing in legacy forest projects from seed to stewardship. When done right, nature is the most powerful tool we have to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss — let’s put it to work.

Why should corporations invest in legacy forest projects? Not only are they potent carbon sinks with a net carbon absorption of approximately 7.6 billion tonnes per year, but they are also biodiversity havens, with 80 per cent of the world's terrestrial species relying on them.

However, since 2015, forests have decreased globally by over 10 million hectares per year. As a result of habitat loss, species are declining — the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists over 157,100 species with over 44,000 species threatened with extinction. By protecting and restoring forests, we can naturally remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while safeguarding biodiversity and promoting ecosystem resilience.

At Wild + Pine, it is our privilege to work with forward-looking companies such as Aviva Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada, which are looking beyond tree planting and are focused on creating legacy impact.These companies understand reaching net zero requires all hands on deck.

There is no scientifically-mapped scenario in which we can meet net zero without nature-based solutions. It’s time to see the forest for more than just the trees, and focus on creating impact through holistic forest restoration at scale.

Chris Kallal is a professional forester and founder and CEO of Wild + Pine, an architect of multigenerational Canadian forest projects, and the innovator behind establishing large-scale afforestation carbon removals in Western Canada.