RESTORATION ECONOMY

Canada is home to 347 million hectares of forest land, including nearly 60 million hectares in British Columbia.

As wildfires, climate pressures, and environmental disturbance reshape these landscapes, restoration and long-term forest management are essential. The restoration economy refers to the workforce, services, and infrastructure required to rebuild and maintain healthy forests. 

This work is not optional.

It is foundational to wildfire resilience, environmental stability, and rural economic sustainability.

WHAT IS FOREST RESTORATION?

Forest restoration is the hands-on work of helping forests recover, regenerate, and remain healthy over time.

This includes:

  • Tree planting and reforestation
  • Silviculture and forest management
  • Fuel management and wildfire mitigation
  • Post-fire and ecosystem restoration

Forestry contractors deliver this work on the ground. Each year, millions of trees are planted, fuels are managed, and disturbed landscapes are restored to support long-term forest health.

WHAT IS THE RESTORATION ECONOMY?

The restoration economy is the businesses, workforce, equipment, and expertise required to restore forests and landscapes at scale.

In British Columbia alone, the silviculture industry employs over 10,000 workers during peak season and generated an estimated $550 million in revenue in 2020.

Across Canada, restoration work supports rural communities, sustains skilled employment, and strengthens long-term forest resilience.

Restoration is both an environmental necessity and an economic driver.

RESTORATION IS ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Restoration capacity is essential infrastructure within the forestry sector.

Just as roads and bridges support the movement of people and goods, healthy forests support clean water, wildlife habitat, economic activity, and community safety. Sustained investment in restoration protects the natural systems communities rely on and reduces the long-term costs of wildfire and environmental degradation.

Maintaining contractor capacity is critical. It costs less to sustain restoration capacity than to rebuild it after it has been lost.

RESTORATION BY THE NUMBERS

  • There are 347 million hectares of forest land in Canada
  • 60 million hectares of forest land is located in British Columbia
  • There are 10,000+ workers employed in the BC silviculture industry during peak season
  • $550 million in revenue generated in 2020

These numbers highlight the scale of the work required to restore and maintain healthy forests across Canada.

WFCA’S ROLE

The Western Forestry Contractors’ Association represents the contractors delivering restoration, reforestation, wildfire mitigation, and long-term forest management work across British Columbia.

WFCA advocates for stable policy, sustained funding, workforce development, and strong safety standards to ensure restoration capacity is maintained for the long term.