a bighorn sheep is standing on the side of a road with mountains in the background .a bighorn sheep is standing on the side of a road with mountains in the background .

Sustainability

Nature’s buffet: the hidden wonders of mineral licks.

Forests are much more than just trees. They provide important habitat, and nesting and feeding grounds for an array of animals.

That is why at Canfor, our forest management team considers the entire biodiversity of the forest, from its soils to its inhabitants, and all their needs.

One aspect of the forest our team works hard to protect are the mineral licks that have sustained some animals in our forests for centuries.

Ever heard of a mineral lick?

Mineral licks are areas in our forests that contain natural deposits of essential nutrients including sodium, calcium and magnesium. Knowledge of their location has been passed down from generations of herbivore species such as moose, elk, deer, caribou and more. These animals visit mineral licks to supplement their diet, especially during periods when their food sources are low in these nutrients.

Their preservation is critical to ensuring these species continue to thrive as our forests adapt and evolve.

Locating and preserving mineral licks.

Honing in on mineral licks might be a sixth sense for four-legged visitors, but for our field crews, it is a process that requires a unique skill set, and careful observation and monitoring.

When our field crews find a mineral lick, it is photographed, documented and uploaded to our system so that they can be carefully managed and protected, even in areas planned for timber harvest.

In some cases, such as when the mineral licks are within the range and habitat of a species of concern, we install and monitor trail cameras to confirm how the mineral licks are being used.

Some sites are visited by a lot of animals! We’ve documented at least 15 mammal species to date. When species of concern are detected on the cameras, it helps us plan more effectively to support their protection in our operating areas.

a moose sticking its tongue out in the woods .
Candid moments from our trail cameras!

Preserving forests, one lick at a time.

All of Canfor’s Canadian forestry operations follow legal or voluntary guidance to protect mineral licks; this includes the retention of natural forest surrounding the lick, including trails and hiding cover.

Canfor has set, and adheres to, a series of targets, and when it comes to mineral licks, our target is to conserve 100% of significant wildlife mineral licks on an annual basis.

Learn more about our commitment to Sustainable Forestry.

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