Welcome to the Non-timber Forest Products (NTFP)
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Exploring the FOREST beyond
the TREES
 Around
the world people depend on forests
for a diverse range of products and services. In North America we have focused
our attention on the use of forests for lumber
and pulp. There are,
however, many other products and benefits which forests provide. These include ecological services
such as climate control and maintenance of the hydrologic
cycle; recreational uses such as camping and hiking; and a wide
variety of goods which are harvested and collected  from
forested areas in addition to timber. Forest products apart from lumber
and pulp are collectively referred to as "non-timber forest
products" (NTFPs, other names include non-wood forest products and
special forest products).
 In
some forests, especially those with a high biodiversity such as tropical
rainforests, the value of NTFPs may be greater than the value of
conventional forest products. This is due to the wide diversity of
products available and the fact that if harvested sustainably, NTFPs can
be harvested on a much shorter rotation than timber. If the maintenance of biodiversity
and traditional
cultural practices are included, the value of NTFP harvesting
increases even more.
Unfortunately,
the value of NTFPs may not be recognised or respected by central
governments or industries wishing to cash in on timber and fibre
resources. In New Brunswick,
as with the rest of Canada, awareness is building about the importance of
NTFPs, thanks in part to well established industries such as maple syrup
production and wreath making.
In addition to these and other established NTFPs, there are
many traditional and yet to be discovered products which are not being
used to their full potential. Follow the links below to learn more
about NTFPs and the Falls Brook Centre’s role in promoting their
sustainable use within New Brunswick and around the world.
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