York Regional Forest Management

Discover the future of your forest

Forest Management Plan

The York Regional Forest provides a natural setting committed to ecological restoration and sustainable forest management. It provides opportunities for low-impact recreation use for you, your family and friends. The 20-Year Forest Management Plan guides management and forest use activities in the York Regional Forest including tree planting, sustainable harvesting and tending.

An updated management plan was adopted by York Regional Council in April 2019 and covers the time period from 2019 to 2038.

An amendment to this Plan was approved by York Regional Council on February 24, 2022. Read the full Council Report, “Amendment to Management Plan for the York Regional Forest – Managing Dogs in the York Regional Forest”.

Regional Forest Advisory Team

The Regional Forest Advisory Team was formed in 1994 to provide public input into managing the York Regional Forest. The team includes representatives from:

  • Durham Mountain Biking Association (Biking)
  • Georgina Sportsman Alliance
  • Huronia Loggers Association
  • Local naturalist clubs
  • Local rate-payer associations
  • Oak Ridges Trail Association (Hiking)
  • Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
  • Ontario Trail Riders Association (Horseback riding)
  • Public Education (Nature’s Classroom)
  • York Regional Forest Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club
  • York Regional Police

Forest Certification

In April 2025, York Region became the first municipality in the world to achieve the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard certification. The certification applies to over 7,700 hectares of urban and community forests including:  

  • 4,610 hectares along Regional Road rights-of-way  
  • 416 hectares of Regional properties maintained by staff  
  • 2,675 hectares within the York Regional Forest  

The Sustainable Forest Initiative is an independent, non-profit organization that certifies forests, including community and urban forests as sustainably managed. The SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard is the world’s first forest standard for urban and community forests, which promotes nature-based solutions, resilience to climate change and community well-being. 

In 2000, the York Regional Forest obtained Forest Stewardship Council of Canada® (FSC - C005211).  The York Regional Forest is the first public forest in Canada to be FSC-certified. To achieve certification, a forest must meet the FSC’s principles and criteria for responsible forest management, and it must be demonstrated that the forest is managed according to sound environmental, social and economic principles.

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