Roots of resilience: Celebrating National Forest Week
“Roots of Resilience: From Seed to Canopy” is not just the theme of National Forest Week 2025, it’s a motto Irving Woodlands follows all year through.
The theme is a powerful reminder of how the strength of the forests and the communities and ecosystems that they support begins with thoughtful stewardship and long-term vision.
From the moment a seed is planted to when the mature tree is harvested, the Irving Woodlands team is committed to responsible forest management that supports biodiversity, economic growth and climate resiliency.
This year, Irving Woodlands has planted 28 million seedlings so far. This works out to nearly 209,000 seedlings planted per day during the operating season of May to September. These seedlings are grown in state-of-the-art nurseries where native species are cultivated for local conditions.
As trees mature, foresters monitor growth, health and habitat value across the 2.4 million hectares of forest land owned or managed by J.D. Irving, Limited. More than 25 per cent of this land is set aside for conservation, including old-growth stands, wetlands and critical wildlife corridors.
This forest land is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) to ensure all practices meet rigorous environmental and social standards. In 2024, these forests captured an estimated 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which helps to mitigate climate change while supporting a renewable resource economy.
For Irving Woodlands, forests are more than just trees. They're also the backbone of rural economies, supporting over 2,400 direct and indirect jobs in forestry, harvesting and transportation. Part of this role involves working closely with local contractors, educational institutions and community groups to build skills and create opportunities for the next generation of forest leaders.
Resilience begins at the roots. It's directed by science, planted in the ground and nurtured by people. Irving Woodlands is proud to grow as a company alongside the forest.