Evelyne Thiffault and Alexandre Morin-Bernard Participate in the International Webinar « Forests, Wood, Markets & Societies (2RI FORWARD) »!
On December 10, 2024, the webinar organized by the international research network Forests, Woods, Markets & Societies (2RI FORWARD) brought together researchers, decision-makers and professionals worldwide. The event provided a platform to discuss the complex interactions between forests, the bioeconomy, and contemporary societies, in a global context of increasingly pressing environmental challenges.
Among the distinguished speakers were Evelyne Thiffault, a forest engineer, full professor in the Department of Wood and Forest Sciences, and co-director of the CRMR, as well as Alexandre Morin-Bernard, assistant professor in the same department. They shared their perspectives and research findings on key strategic topics crucial for the future of forests and climate change mitigation.
Evelyne particularly highlighted the importance of sustainable forestry practices, which play a critical role in maximizing carbon sequestration, reducing ecological footprints, and strengthening the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate disruptions. She emphasized the need for integrated policies, both local and global, to support these efforts and ensure proactive and sustainable forest management in the years to come.
Alexandre presented the pan-Canadian Silva21 initiative, dedicated to adapting forestry practices to global changes, funded by the NSERC Alliance Program (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada). He detailed the research program, the numerous collaborators involved, and the initiative’s objectives. Alexandre also shared concrete examples of projects and publications produced under this initiative.
Led by  Alexis Achim, a full professor in wood and forest sciences at Laval University and Vice-Dean of Research at the Faculty of Forestry, Geography, and Geomatics, and co-directed by Nicholas Coops from the University of British Columbia, the Silva21 initiative aims to enhance the resilience of Canadian forests to climate disturbances and other stressors. It is based on three main pillars: collecting data using innovative tools to assess tree growth, improving growth models to better predict risks, and testing silvicultural treatments and forest management strategies adapted to current socio-environmental realities. This initiative plays a key role in sustainable forest management and climate change adaptation.
The results of the Silva21 initiative, which involves a large team, have led to 20 scientific publications, 4 research bulletins, and a technical report, illustrating its tangible impact and relevance to forestry and bioeconomy research.
This webinar provided a valuable opportunity to review scientific advances and ongoing initiatives while paving the way for future international collaborations to address global environmental challenges. It also underscored the importance of working together across borders to promote innovative and sustainable solutions to the environmental issues affecting the entire planet.
Congratulations to both of you for your exceptional participation and for contributing to this platform for reflection and collaboration. Your commitment and research have not only enhanced the visibility of the CRMR but also highlighted the tangible impact of forestry and bioeconomy research in forest management and adaptation to global climate challenges.
