Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest

We are involved in managing a network of research forests across the Yukon. These research forests were originally established by the Government of Canada for the purposes of forest research and forest management studies. The first draft strategic plan the Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest was released in 2004.

Historical Yukon Forestry Research  2 MB (2009)

This document contains a summary of forestry research projects initiated between 1972-1992, and the recommendations will be used to guide our future silviculture research priorities.

Effects of Historical Timber Harvesting Practices on Caribou Forage Lichen Abundance Near Marsh Lake, Yukon 1.41MB (2011)

The purpose of the “Effects of Historical Timber Harvesting Practices on Caribou Forage Lichen Abundance Near Marsh Lake, Yukon” was to look at the relationship between levels of retention and lichen abundance in historical harvesting in the Lewes Marsh area.  The next phase of this project, Phase 2, is an adaptive management study which will include an experimental design has been initiated and will be completed in early 2013.

Climate Change Research (2010)

Along with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation, University of British Columbia (UBC), and the Model Forest: Special Project Area Program, we are supporting UBC researchers who are leading a series of focus group discussions on climate change in the Champagne and Aishihik Traditional Territory. The aim of this part of the project is to gather viewpoints of resource management practitioners on alternative forest renewal strategies and if they may be undertaken in light of climate change to achieve the objectives of the plan.

The University of Northern British Columbia is currently conducting research on assessing the vulnerability to climate change and adaptive capacity of Yukon forest tree species and ecosystems. This is a 3 year project that was initiated in 2008.

Fuel Abatement Monitoring Program

In cooperation with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation and with assistance from the Research and Monitoring and Fuel Abatement Technical Working Groups, we initiated a successful pilot program to monitor the effectiveness of fuel abatement treatments in the southwest Yukon. The objectives of the pilot monitoring program were:

• to initiate a field-based sampling program for monitoring the effectiveness of fuel abatement treatments as part of the monitoring program under the Strategic Forest Management Plan;
• to assess the applicability of the program for community-based monitoring and the potential of the program to build local capacity;
• to assess whether or not the fuel treatment work carried out by contractors was consistent with the site prescriptions; and
• to assess whether or not the treatments were effective in reducing the risk of a crown fire developing in these stands.