More than half of Y2Y's 502,000 square mile (1.3 million square kilometer) region is forested. This forested land base creates opportunities for a range of activities that support and enhance regional economies, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking.  Millions of people have taken advantage of these opportunities over the years. 

While tourism and recreation cause some harm to forest ecosystems, the single largest impact on the region's forests is commercial forestry. Approximately 228 square miles (590 square kilometers) of timber are harvested each year from the region. The effect on wildlife is significant. Not only are forests important as core habitat for many species, they also serve as critical corridors and connect wildlife across huge areas. The harvesting of timber destroys core habitat and important wildlife corridors. In addition, the access roads built by commercial forestry companies do further harm to wildlife.

Particularly in the US portion of the Y2Y region, national forests can provide a critical buffer zone around, and sometimes between, scattered national parks and wilderness areas. But for these forests to truly function as buffers and corridors, they must be appropriately managed. Y2Y and our partners are working with companies to encourage environmentally and socially responsible forestry activities that are compatible with maintaining wildlife habitat and connectivity. For example, in the past Y2Y worked with Tembec in southeast British Columbia to secure conservation easements in areas important to wildlife. More recently, Wildsight worked with Tembec to secure Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its holdings in southeast British Columbia. This resulted in more than half a million hectares of forest being designated as High Conservation Value Forests. Out of all existing certification programs, FSC certification has the highest standards for social and environmental responsibility.

With the increasing demand for sustainable wood products, forestry companies are more responsive to considering certification.  Some of our partners are working with companies throughout the region on the issue of certification.