Non-Timber Forest Products:
Information and Resources

The timber-based forest industry is cyclical, often facing economic instability and there are well-documented environmental concerns about the widespread clear-cutting of our forests. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) can provide a means of generating forest-based economic development in northern areas that provides long-term economic, community and environmental sustainability.

The importance of the harvest of non-timber forest products and the creation of value-added products to economic diversification is evident. The gathering of non-timber forest products has cultural and spiritual values and connections to the forest. For Aboriginal Peoples, these values are part of the roots of not only a stable community, but of a culture.

Sustainable management of forest products other than timber can provide full or part-time employment opportunities for people living in or near the forest. Local employment options are particularly important as they allow people to work where they live and maintain a higher quality of life.

For information on NTFPs and a discussion of their economic potential for northern Saskatchewan, see the SES fact sheet, Non-Timber Forest Products: Economic Development While Sustaining Our Northern Forests. (PDF)  

This web page is intended to provide individuals and entrepreneurs interested in exploring the business potential of NTFPs with information and resources to do so. The resources here may also be of interest to northern Saskatchewan communities interested in exploring the potential role of NTFPs in their community's sustainable economic development.

Non-timber Forest Products are...

items gathered from the forest and used in foods, health and personal care, landscape and garden application, and decorative and aesthetic products. They include:

• Food products such as mushrooms, berries, and syrup.
• Florals which are plants and parts of trees for the arts, crafts and floral industry that are used to create items such as wreaths, potpourri, wildflower arrangements, fragrance items, ornaments and table decorations.
• Essential oils and extracts which include balsam fir, birch and spruce oils; and wild plants such as sage and mint. These essential oils are used in insect repellants, cosmetics, cooking, room sprays, talcs, insecticides, household cleaners and disinfectants.
• Medicinal plants which are used in the production of a number of medicinal compounds as well as nutritional supplements. Examples of the many medicinal materials are: balsam fir gum, fireweed, rat root, Labrador tea, wild mint, and wild onion.

Organizations promoting development of NTFPs, forest conservation, forestry

Information and resources for entrepreneurs & small businesses

Education and training programs

Publications

Organizations Promoting Development of NTFPs, Forest Conservation, Forestry

NTFPs

Non-wood Forest Products program, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Forest Products Division — promotes the "sustainable utilization of NWFP in order to contribute to the wise management of the world's forests, to conserve their biodiversity, and to improve income-generation and food security" through "gathering, analysis and dissemination of information; appraisal of NWFP socio-economic contribution to rural development; networking; technical assistance". To facilate networking, the NWFP program maintains an on-line database of individuals and organizations involved in NTFPs. The site includes a variety of publications and presentations on non-wood forest products as well as a newsletter, Non-Wood News (see below).

The North Island NTFP Demonstration Project — a project of Royal Roads University, Victoria, B.C. to learn "how best to manage non-timber forest resources in a way that is environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially equitable." The project's final report is available on the website (see below).

Falls Brook Centre (FBC) — a New Brunswick environmental organization promoting, among other things, non-timber forest products. FBC has organized an international NTFP Focus Group with participants from over 20 countries. "The mandate of the Focus Group is to promote field trials of NTFP certification, offer guidance to certifiers on the management of NTFPs, promote the inclusion of NTFPs in national initiatives and recommend refinements to FSC policy. The Focus Group has also served as a loose information network regarding the sustainable management and marketing of NTFPs." Focus Group documents are available on the site (see below). Their NTFP links page includes links to NTFP certification and certification Bodies.

Non Timber Forest Products, United States — a website of the Institute for Culture and Ecology. "The purpose of this website is to provide a public resource for the collection and dissemination of information pertaining to the conservation and sustainable use of non timber forest products in the United States." The site includes: a searchable NTFP Bibliography Database with abstracts (over 2500 records); links to other NTFP sites, organized into 11 categories; a searchable NTFP species database; and links to new NTFP books on the main page.

Global Forest, Non-timber Products — a research program to work with First Nations groups to "record and study indigenous plant knowledge and uses. Non timber forest products - products other than cut trees - are being studied as economically viable and ecologically sustainable alternatives to simply harvesting the forest for its fiber."

Non-Timber Forest Products, Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products — a program at Virginia Tech, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, "to develop and operate the first web site devoted to gathering information on non-timber or special forest products."

Forests and Forestry

Canadian Forest Service — "The CFS plays a central role in addressing national and international forestry issues. It works in partnership with the provinces and territories and in consultation with Aboriginals, industry, non-governmental organizations and other forest community interests at home and abroad." "CFS work to help expand the NTFP industry includes research that will contribute to an inventory of NTFPs in Canada and to the domestication of certain products (such as nutraceutical plants and high-value mushrooms). The CFS is also promoting the industry at workshops and conferences, connecting harvesters and buyers, supporting start-up industries in First Nations communities through the First Nation Forestry Program, and contributing to the NTFP work of the Model Forest Program's community forestry initiative." Dr. Luc Duchesne, a research scientist at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre, has been "researching and promoting the commercialization of non-timber forest products as a means to improve economic conditions in rural and First Nations communities" for a decade. For more information on NTFPs he can be contacted at:

Dr. Luc C. Duchesne, Research Scientist
Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre
1219 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5
Tel: (705) 541-5535
luduches@NRCan.gc.ca

Taiga Rescue Network— "Taiga Rescue Network (TRN) is working to support local struggles and strengthen the cooperation between individuals, NGOs and indigenous peoples and nations concerned with the protection, restoration and sustainable use of the world's boreal forests by means that ensure the integrity of natural processes and dynamics." TRN sees the development of NTFPs as one of several practical solutions "to ease the pressure on Boreal forests across the Northern Hemisphere." TRN has an email list on NTFPs (see below) and a variety of information related to NTPFs.

National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA) — "The overall goal of NAFA is to promote and support increased Aboriginal involvement in forest management and related commercial opportunities. In the working toward this goal, NAFA is committed to holistic or multiple-use forestry." NAFA has a list of publications that can be ordered on-line, one of them on opportunities for Aboriginal communities in NTFPs (see below).

Other

Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre — information on sensitive and endangered species in various ecoregions of Saskatchewan, including a database of species of special concern in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network (SNN) — their mission is "to provide leadership, support and encouragement, for the development of a strong, economically viable nutraceutical, functional food & dermaceutical industry in Saskatchewan." Their website includes Nutraceutical Market & Industry Information, a document which includes information on:

* definitions of natural health products and nutraceuticals, functional foods, dermaceuticals (Canadian, U.S., Japanese)
* the market
* Canadian regulations
* the industry in Saskatchewan

The Society for Economic Botany — describes itself as the "world's largest and most-respected professional society for individuals who are concerned with basic botanical, phytochemical and ethnological studies of plants known to be useful or those which may have potential uses so far undeveloped."

Herb Research Foundation — "the world's first and foremost source of accurate, science-based information on the health benefits and safety of herbs---and expertise in sustainable botanical resource development."

Information and resources for entrepreneurs & small businesses

Government

First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) — "The FNFP is designed to assist First Nations to build capacity and assume control of the management of their forest resources. The program aims to help First Nations establish partnerships with provinces and industry to actively participate in forestry and other economic development activities." Examples of projects, both provincial and national, funded under the FNFP can be found on the FNFP site. In particular, an example of a NTFPs project that has received support from the FNFP is documented here. More information on clients and expenditures that are eligible for funding is available on the Indian and Northern Affairs website.

Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, Co-operative Development Assistance Program — "to encourage and support the development and expansion of co-operative enterprises." This site includes information on available funding, eligibility and the application procedure.

For more information about setting up co-ops and funding available from the Saskatchewan government contact:
Vern Walde
Saskatoon
(306)933-6265
vwalde@ir.gov.sk.ca

Brian Lloyd
Prince Albert
(306)953-2283
blloyd@ir.gov.sk.ca

George Jackson
La Ronge
(306)425-4263
gjackson@sna.gov.sk.ca

Industry and Resources, Regional Offices — contact information for regional offices

Industry and Resources, Kinds of Business files (KOB's) — detailed information about starting and maintaining a specific type of business in Saskatchewan

Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre (CSBSC) — an on-line service offered by the Saskatchewan and federal governments to provide information and assistance with entrepreneurships or small business plans. The site includes guides on a variety of business topics, interactive tools, and a database of federal and provincial business-related programs, services and selected regulations.

Aboriginal Business Service Network (ABSN) — provides the Aboriginal business community with a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations.

Northern Development Fund (NDF) — a fund, managed by Saskatchewan Northern Affairs, to "support economic and business development in northern Saskatchewan." The NDF provides loans to small and medium-sized businesses in the Northern Administration District for "purchasing equipment, land, buildings and inventory, and for working capital."

Regional Development, Saskatchewan Northern Affairs — provides "financial and business support services to northern entrepreneurs, businesses, co-operatives and other organizations." Contact information is available on the page in the link above.

Gerry Ivanochko
Provincial Specialist Northern Agriculture Crop Development
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization
Box 5000, La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0
phone: 1-800-665-4400 or (306)425-4400
fax: (306) 425-4366
e-mail: givanochko@agr.gov.sk.ca

Education and training programs

Undergraduate certificate in Non-timber Forest Products , Royal Roads University — a new program and the first university accredited certificate program in NTFPs in Canada. The program is aimed at a variety of individuals—those who are "starting or expanding businesses in harvesting, marketing and/or processing NTFPs; managing forest lands to increase value through NTFPs; developing educational, community or commercial programs that interpret native plants and their uses, especially First Nations plant knowledge and technologies; developing the potential of NTFPs in community economic diversification and development."

NTFP Training Program — a training course for NTFP business development offered by the Northern Forest Diversification Centre (see above) to "anyone with a keen interest in and a willingness to learn about the NTFP industry [or] for people who want to participate in the industry but not necessarily develop their own businesses." "Training will be delivered directly into communities and will involve 10 days of classes interspersed with field training. Class size is limited to 15 students."

Publications

Newsletters and Forums

Non-wood News (select "Non-wood news" under "FAO Publications" on the left side of the page) — an annual newsletter of the FAO's Non-wood Forest Products program (see above). The newsletter provides "information on the potential of non-wood forest products and their contribution to the sustainable development of the world's forest resources." In particular, the "Country Compass" section of the newsletter sometimes contains news about NTFPs programs or events in Canada or the U.S.

Electronic NWFP Digest (select "Electronic NWFP Digest" from links at left of the page) — an on-line journal "on issues of note in the world of Non-Wood Forest Products." In addition to links to past issues, visitors to the page can subscribe to the Digest.

Taiga Rescue Network NTFP email list — an email list for discussion of NTFPs. Instructions for subscribing are included on the page.

NWFP North America Initiative — a project of the Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network (ULERN). "An initiative is under way in North America to get non-timber forest products more integrated into forest research and management institutions." ULERN has established a NTFP listserve that is "a forum to exchange information concerning these products." Information on how to join the listserve is available on the page.

Books and Reports

FAO's Non-wood Forest Products Program publications — links at the left of the page to a variety of NTFP publications and presentations

Alaska Boreal Forest Council; (Comps.) 2003. Proceedings: hidden forest values. The first Alaska-wide nontimber forest products conference and tour Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-579. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. — a summary of "The Hidden Forest Values Conference" proceedings.

Non-wood forest products from conifers, Non-wood Forest Products 12 — a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1995. The report looks at the non-wood uses of confers around the world and examines issues such as "sustainable management, harvesting and utilization of these products and compatibility or conflicts with timber production and other land uses."

Robin J. Marles (Ed.), Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada's Northwest Boreal Forest, Univ. of British Columbia, 2000. — looks at the traditional use by the Cree, Dene, and Metis peoples of about 200 plants in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. For each plant the physical description, habitat, its uses for food, technology, and medicine, and potential economic uses are included.

Davidson-Hunt, Iain; Duchesne, Luc C.; Zasada, John C., eds. 2001. Forest communities in the third millennium: linking research, business, and policy toward a sustainable non-timber forest product sector. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-217. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. — "a wide variety of papers given at the first international conference on non-timber forest products (NTFP) in cold temperate and boreal forests. Focuses on many facets of NTFPs: economics, society, biology, resource management, business development, and others."

Nan C. Vance and Jane Thomas, eds. 1997. Special Forest Products: Biodiversity Meets the Marketplace. General Technical Report GTR-WO-63. U.S.D.A. Forest Service. — proceedings from a seminar series, "Special Forest Products—Biodiversity Meets the Marketplace" held at Oregon State University in 1995. The seminars were "given by 11 experts who, with first-hand knowledge, offered new created approaches for developing, managing, and conserving nontimber forest resources." Some chapter titles include:

* The challenge of increasing human demands on natural systems.
* Consumer trends, market opportunities, and new approaches to sustainable development of special forest products.
* Medicinal plant development in the United States.
* Grounds for argument: local understandings, science, and global processes in special forest products harvesting.
* Special forest products in a forest community strategy and co-management schemes addressing multicultural conflicts.
* American Indian cultural models for sustaining biodiversity.
* Business and biodiversity rainforest marketing and beyond.
* Wildlife and plant trade and the role of CITES: challenges for the 21st century.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization. 1997. Special Forest Products. — information on the NTFP business in northern Saskatchewan, including some information on buyers' requirements, processing, sustainable harvesting and permit requirements.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization. 1996. Commercial Harvesting of Wild Mushrooms in Saskatchewan.
— information about species that can be commerically harvested, drying and grading mushrooms, and field guides.

National Aboriginal Forestry Association. 1999. Non-Timber Forest Products: Exploring Opportunities for Aboriginal Communities. — this publication can be ordered from NAFA for $20 (free to NAFA members).

The Inner Coast Natural Resource Centre established the Non-Timber Forest Products Demonstration Project "to identify and support the development of sustainable employment and business opportunities in resource-dependent coastal communities based on non-timber forest products and services, and to evaluate lessons from this demonstration project as a model for capacity building and development in other threatened rural economies." The Project's final report PDF document is available on the website along with proceedings of two NTFP-related workshops.

Integrated Demonstration Project for Non-Timber Forest Products–Northern Vancouver Island PDF document — See description of the North Island NTFP Demonstration Project above.

Guidelines, Standards, and Regulations for Trade in Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Botanicals PDF document — an "annotated collection of guidelines, standards and regulations for trade in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and botanicals." This report resulted from a study undertaken by the Rainforest Alliance to look at "how to make the production, harvesting and marketing of botanicals more sustainable for the land these products grow on, more valuable for the communities where they grow, and in helping businesses contribute to strategies that will work to do these things."

Developing Nontimber Forest Products in Canada. Frontline Express Bulletin No. 28. Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre.

NTFP Certification, Challenges and Opportunities — an article describing existing NTFP certification programs.

Certification and Focus Group Documents — documents from the NTFP Focus Group (coordinated by the Falls Brook Centre, see above)