Most of the forest management guides have recently been revised, which has resulted in a number of guides being replaced. A few more will be replaced once the Boreal Landscapes Guide is released. This amalgamation is in response to an independent review of all guides undertaken in 2000 and documented in the Review of Ontario's Forest Management Guidelines (2000). Based on this consultants’ report and recommendations from the Provincial Forest Technical Committee, the Ministry of Natural Resources decided to rewrite the guides as:
- Landscape Guides
- Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales
- Silvicultural Guides
- Management Guidelines for Forestry and Resource-Based Tourism
- Forest Management Guide for Cultural Heritage Values
As required by Condition 38(c) of the Declaration Order regarding MNR's Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Approval for Forest Management on Crown Lands in Ontario (MNR-71), each guide will be reviewed within five years of its approval and thereafter at least every five years. This status summary has been prepared in accordance with condition 38(b) of the Forest Management Class EA approval.
Forest management guides still in use by some forest management plans can be found by linking here. They will remain available for those forest management plans which are using them in their preparation, during their operational period, and for independent forest audit purposes.
| Guide/Supporting Document | Status | Comments | Relationship to new guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales (2010) | completed in 2010 | next review in 2015 | |
| Forest Management Guide for Cultural Heritage Values (2007) | reviewed in 2012 | no revision required, next review in 2017 | |
| Forest Management Guide for Boreal Landscapes | in preparation | ||
| Forest Management Guide for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Landscapes (2010) | completed in 2010 | next review in 2015 | |
| * Forest Management Guide for Natural Disturbance Pattern Emulation (2001) | landscape level direction applicable in boreal forest region | revised direction to become part of the new Boreal Landscape Guide stand level direction has been incorporated into Stand and Site Guide | Boreal Landscape Guide Stand and Site Guide |
| * Forest Management Guidelines for the Conservation of Woodland Caribou Habitat: A Landscape Approach (1999) | reviewed in 2000 | distributed and approved for use in Northwest Region revised direction to become part of the new Boreal Landscape Guide | Boreal Landscape Guide |
| * Forest Management Guidelines for the Provision of Marten Habitat (1996) | reviewed in 2000 landscape level direction applicable in boreal forest region | revised direction to become part of the new Boreal Landscape Guide stand level direction has been incorporated into the Stand and Site Guide | Boreal Landscape Guide Stand and Site Guide |
| * Forest Management Guidelines for the Provision of Pileated Woodpecker Habitat (1996) | reviewed in 2000 landscape level direction applicable in boreal forest region | revised direction to become part of the new Boreal Landscape Guide stand level direction has been incorporated into the Stand and Site Guide | Boreal Landscape Guide Stand and Site Guide |
| Management Guidelines for Forestry and Resource-Based Tourism (2001) | reviewed in 2006, 2011 | revision underway | |
| Silvicultural Guide for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Conifer Forest in Ontario (1998) | reviewed in 2005 | revision underway; four silvicultural guides used for the Area of the Undertaking (AOU) being amalgamated | |
| Silvicultural Guide for the Tolerant Hardwood Forest in Ontario (1998) | reviewed in 2005 | revision underway; four silvicultural guides used for AOU being amalgamated | |
| Silvicultural Guide to Managing for Black Spruce, Jack Pine and Aspen on Boreal Forest Ecosites in Ontario (1997) | reviewed in 2005 | revision underway; four silvicultural guides used for AOU being amalgamated | |
| Silvicultural Guide to Managing Spruce, Fir, Birch, and Aspen Mixedwoods in Ontario’s Boreal Forest (2003) | reviewed in 2008 | revision underway; four silviculture guides used for AOU being amalgamated | |
| Silvicultural Guide to Managing Southern Ontario Forests (2000) | reviewed in 2005, 2010 | revision planned after amalgamation of the other four silvicultural guides |