The
following discussion is based on the proceedings from a meeting
held in Kenora, Ontario, October 1-4, 1999 "Forest
Communities in the Third Millennium: Linking research, business
and policy toward a sustainable non-timber forest product sector",
edited by Iain Davidson-Hunt, Luc Duchesne and John Zasada and
published by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, North Central Research Station.
View the full report: http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/other/gtr-nc217/index.htm
Print this page (4 pages)
What are non-timber forest products?
A
straightforward definition of a non-timber forest product (NTFP)
is a plant or animal found in a natural, forested landscape.
Non-timber forest products are valued as a source of food, medicine,
heritage and eco-tourism, and cultural and spiritual tradition.
A Canadian perspective
There
are an estimated 500 NTFPs in Canada, with 200 NTFPs currently
recognized in BC and 50 used commercially in Ontario. Maple
sap products and wild mushrooms make up the majority of NTFPs
in consumed in Canada or exported. Wild berries, medicinal plants
and other NTFPs are also consumed in Canada or exported, in
smaller amounts. Click here to view a sampling of NTFPs marketed
in Manitoba: http://www.nfdc.ca/ntfpproducts.htm
How does the industry fare?
The
Canadian NTFP industry earned 241 Million in 2000, making up
0.4% of the Canadian forest industry, which earned 58.7 Billion
in 2000. The following table is a breakdown of NTFP estimated export value in 1997.
Estimated non-timber forest products in Canada
- value of annual shipments for 1997
Although a relatively small industry, it provides valuable supplemental income for families and rural communities. Families can earn an additional $8 000 to $10 000 per year harvesting and selling NTFPs. Given that NTFPs generally provide supplemental only, other sources of income are still necessary.
Who are the harvesters?
Non-timber
forest products are especially attractive in communities where
the forest industry is in decline or there are fewer forestry
jobs due to increased use of technology. As a source of supplemental
income, NTFPs can be very important for communities that harvest
them. The development of harvesting cooperatives and processing
facilities could further support and expand the NTFP industry.
For
First Nations, NTFPs are considered a way of life. The ability
to harvest medicines, berries, barks among other things are
viewed as integral to cultural and spiritual heritage. For example,
the harvesting of berries may be important expression of collective
identity, and the use of medicines may be used in healing ceremonies.
Bridging the gaps
Many
NTFPs will appear in one region one year and in a different
region the next year, and while some grow in mature forests,
others thrive after a disturbance such as fire or harvesting
(such as berries). This type of knowledge is critical for successful
NTFP harvesting and yet very little is known scientifically
about NTFP biology. Increased knowledge about NTFPs would help
to ensure sustainable harvesting, to optimize harvesting over
the short and long terms and to successfully grow and manage
NTFPs. Harvesters whose communities have harvested for generations
are a valuable source of knowledge about NTFPs and collaborations
between harvesters, consumers and scientists is encouraged by
members of the research community. Issues such as intellectual
property rights and fair compensation still need to be resolved
if collaborations are going to be successful.
Growth and Harvest Strategies
A
number of factors that affect the growth of NTFPs. Here are
three:
Because
of these factors, the location of NTFPs can change from one
year to the next, as can abundance. Harvesters often adopt one
of two strategies to adapt to changes in NTFP growth. One strategy
is to move from region to region depending on where harvests
are abundant. This requires the harvester to be very flexible
and not tied to a specific location. A second strategy is to
stay in one place and simply harvest whatever is abundant in
a given year. This allows the harvester to be more stable. Some
products do not vary as drastically, like wild rice, allowing
local harvesting to occur year after year. Other similar products
include maple and birch syrups, boughs, essential oils and resins.
Non-timber forest product initiatives in North America
Manitoba
The
Northern Forest Diversification Center, located at The Pas,
offers training in non-forest product business development to
rural Manitoba communities. Given current optimism that non-forest
timber products will expand significantly over the next decade,
the center hopes to provide a solid grounding in business and
specific NTFP related skills to forest communities, individuals,
small enterprises and First Nations to capture the greatest
value possible with the greatest chances of success. Ultimately,
the center envisions an NTFP industry “composed of a network
of community based and diverse micro-enterprises supported by
a 21st Century packaging and marketing infrastructure.”
A
10-day training course offered to all ages and educational backgrounds
focuses on local resources, plant identification and basic ecology,
sustainable harvesting and handling practices, aboriginal issues,
low-tech value added processing, and marketing.
The
center also markets NTFPs, and last year marketed products from
over 200 harvesters in 22 communities. To learn more about the
products marketed by the center, click here… http://www.nfdc.ca/ntfpproducts.htm
You may also access the following documents produced by the Northern Forest Diversification Center (all web-documents):
Partnering in Community Development
Management of the non-timber forest products industry
Manitoba Wild Harvesters Association Code of Ethics Draft March 10, 2004
Ethical Wildcrafting- A Manitoba Perspective
New Brunswick
A
Canadian non-government organization, the Falls Brook Center
is a sustainable community demonstration and training center.
Programs include appropriate technology, community development,
forest stewardship, sustainable agriculture, an international
program, and an education program. Visit their non-timber forest
products website to learn about NTFPs in New Brunswick. http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/webmain/programs/Forest/NTFP%20Web/ntfp_main.htm
British Columbia
The
North Island Non-Timber Forest Products Demonstration Project,
sponsored by Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC investigates
how to best manage non-timber forest products for environmental
sustainability, economic viability and social equitability.
The project involves a resource inventory, research and management
and capacity building for First Nations and non-First Nations.
To learn more about the project, visit their website:
http://www.island.net/~ntfp/
The
Center for Non-Timber Resources at Royal Roads College, grew
out of the NTFP Demonstration Project previously mentioned.
The center focuses on the “wise use of non-timber forest
resources to diversify and sustain rural and resource-dependent
economies”. The Centre is offering a Non-Timber Forest
Product Certificate, beginning in August 2004. Visit website:
http://www.royalroads.ca/Channels/for+learners/centre+for+global+and+executive+education/non-timber+forest+products/centre+for+non-timber+resources.htm
United States
The
Institute for Culture and Ecology maintains a website containing
information about non-timber forest products in the United States
such as current issues, research and a database of non-timber
forest product species. http://www.ifcae.org/ntfp/
A
second website is a collaborative venture which includes fact
sheets about specific products found in the US, a database of
buyers and sellers, tutorials on writing business plans and
more. Visit website: http://www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/special_fp.htm
Alaska Boreal Forest Council
This
website provides graphical information about the use of non-timber
forest products in Alaska.
http://www.akborealforest.org/fus/ntfp.php
Learn
more about NTFPs
Environment
Canada website: http://www.glfc.forestry.ca/frontline/bulletins/bulletin_no.28_e.html
Reflection...
What is your biggest concern about how forest management
practices affect alternate forest products?
What could be done to address your concerns?
