What is Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation?

Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation (CFT) is a social enterprise committed to delivering an innovative nature-based climate solution to address your environmental commitments and demonstrate tangible impact through the planting and protecting of Smart Forests™. Our solution offers a strategic approach to carbon storage and biodiversity enhancement, aligning with sustainability goals and reporting requirements. 

What is a Smart Forest™?

A Smart Forest™ is an innovative approach to environmental conservation, investing significantly in the planet's long-term health. It's designed to store large carbon footprints, utilizing advanced forest management techniques to maximize its ecological and climate impact. The effectiveness of a Smart Forest™ is measurable through cutting-edge digital dashboards, ensuring transparency and accountability for its impact, as well as reporting centres that provide on-demand access to downloadable forest impact reports. Smart Forests™ are also effective at generating crucial economic development for Indigenous communities and creating important job opportunities for Canada’s green economy.

Where does CFT plant its forests?

CFT is proudly working to plant, preserve ad protect Smart Forest™ ecosystems in regions across Canada. Our first major Smart Forest™ project is located near Doaktown New Brunswick. To learn more about this forest, click here.

What is CFT’s Smart Forest Guarantee™?

CFT's commitment goes beyond carbon storage; we aim to rejuvenate wildlife habitats, create jobs, enhance the economy, and honour Indigenous Land Knowledge. Our Smart Forest Guarantee™ promises that each forest we plant will be preserved. This includes regular management, ongoing monitoring, and specialized silviculture maintenance. 

What is the Climate Protection Plan (CPP)?

The Climate Protection Plan (CPP) enables businesses, employees and members to make measurable strides in their climate action journey by planting and protecting Smart Forests™. Key features include the Personal Carbon Estimators for carbon footprint tracking, Smart Forest™ Planting Program for direct environmental impact, and educational resources through the Forest Learning Portal. Participants also get access to a Personal Portal and can engage in community and youth initiatives. The plan includes recognition programs and challenges to motivate and acknowledge contributions to sustainability.

What happens when I invest in a Smart Forest™?

By choosing to invest into a Smart Forest™ you're embarking on a journey of environmental guardianship over a piece of Canada's forest. It's important to understand that this doesn't mean you own the land or trees themselves. Instead, you're investing in a wealth of ecological benefits offered by forests, such as carbon storage, air purification, soil conservation, biodiversity enhancement and creating wildlife habitats. These benefits extend to supporting local economies too.

When you purchase the Stewardship to a Smart Forest™, or individual trees through a company or community project, you will have access to tracking and reporting data that provides a fully transparent understanding of the things that are going on in and around the forest.

What makes CFT different from other tree planting organizations?

CFT takes a holistic approach to forestation that goes beyond the single act of planting a tree. We ensure the long-term health of our forests with expert monitoring and management. We also protect our forests and will inform you of the location of your trees, the health of the land, the impact on biodiversity, and so much more. This information is all provided through a private customer portal.

Why should businesses be planting forests? 

Becoming a Smart Forest™ steward means that you are supporting the planting, preservation and protection of a forest in Canada. This is a significant step towards reducing business’s impact on the environment and climate change. This initiative contributes to nature-based solutions for climate change and aids in preserving and protecting biodiverse ecosystems, which serve as crucial habitats for various species across Canada. This endeavour is part of your commitment as a business to foster a sustainable, biodiverse planet for future generations.

Does CFT own the Smart Forest™ land?

In some cases, yes CFT owns the land; in others, CFT forms strategic partnerships with landowners, including Indigenous communities, non-profit and community organizations, as well as private land owners.

Can CFT sell carbon credits? 

Our Smart Forest™ Stewardship is not designed to generate immediate carbon credits or offsets. Instead, our approach prioritizes the long-term health and sustainability of a forest for ecosystem health, habitat creation, carbon storage, and the various benefits that come from climate change mitigation.

How does CFT source its land?

There are many paths CFT can go down to procure land. Methods include, but are not limited to:

• Purchasing land that has been deforested, burned or devastated

• Accepting land donations

• Partnering with Indigenous communities

• Through Canada’s LandBank

If I buy trees will I be planting them?

No, CFT manages the entire land procurement, planting, preservation and protection of our forests through expert contractors and partnerships across Canada. Every tree is planted by professionals to help ensure it is set up for optimal growth and health.

Can I partner with CFT?

CFT is always open to growing our partner network across various parts of our business. Please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.

Can I sell my acreage to CFT?

CFT offers a solution called “Canada’s Land Bank,” which is an initiative that purchases land from or partners with landowners to restore, preserve and protect their land. This is particularly impactful for generational landowners who would like to transfer ownership of their land to a trusted source.

What is included in CFT’s portal and dashboard?

CFT’s portal and dashboard provide access to a suite of digital features that includes current and forecasted data, information about your forest type, location and progress, a mix of educational guides and resources, and exportable ESG and compliance reporting to satisfy your stakeholder’s requirements. Contact us to learn more.

Are you working with Indigenous communities?

We are actively working to partner with various Indigenous communities and will be working with Indigenous businesses, communities and leaders to support economic development and job creation.