Forests, climate change, and science: We need to do better

Canadian foresters, climate change is not a vague concept of something that might happen in the future. Cana- dian foresters are planting and managing forests that will be harvested or otherwise enjoyed decades in the future, so considering possible future climates is part of their day-to day work. It is therefore essential that Canadian foresters be provided with the best possible advice to help them plan and manage forests that are resilient in uncertain future climates. This advice must be firmly grounded in the best available science, and thus in evidence, so forest scientists have a critical task—to mould predictions of future climates and understanding of ecosystem functioning into guidance for foresters. Initiatives such as those by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers and Future Forest Ecosystems in British Columbia have been developed to support the research and its translation into policies and practices needed to make our forests and forest-dependent communities resilient to climate change.