The exploration will examine timber production, multiple use, conservation and protection across public forests.
Timberlands
The expansions will create greater opportunities for local forest management and help maintain fibre supplies for local facilities.
The additional capital will fund selective acquisitions and value-creation projects across existing and future timberland holdings.
TFL 30 covers approximately 180,000 hectares about 50 kilometres northeast of Prince George in the Prince George Natural Resource District.
The funding will support wood-product processing, innovation, workforce development, plantations and timber import compliance.
Prices increased for the second consecutive year after declining in 2023.
Dry conditions linked to strong El Niño events have historically increased fires and tree losses in parts of South America and Southeast Asia.
The plan aims to expand domestic wood supply after softwood log imports fell from 12.2 million m3 in 2000 to 1.6 million m3 in 2025.
The proposal would return decisions on inventoried roadless areas to local national forest managers under existing laws and planning rules.
Burned maritime pine could enter pallet, paper, plywood and fuel markets once forest access resumes.
The awards support tree inventories, management plans, planting, maintenance and invasive tree removal across 19 communities.
Projects in 44 states and Washington, D.C., will expand wood-processing capacity, use forest-management byproducts and reduce wildfire risks.
A full quarter of acquired operations and increased real-estate sales outweighed weaker Southern timber prices.
Higher lumber volumes and western log realizations helped counter transportation, fuel, freight and resin cost pressures.
Mill closures in the U.S. South reduce fiber demand, while data centers and retail land sales continue to create investment opportunities.
Daniels takes the permanent leadership role after serving as interim head of the wood products business since March 2026.
Projects cover wood exports, biocarbon, cellulose nanocrystals, engineered wood production, sawmilling and Indigenous forest management.
Greenhouse to enable controlled pollination for genetically improved birch seed, opening September 2026.
Andrew Leighton joins from FWPA with 20 years of senior executive experience across forest products and manufacturing sectors.
The projects include boreal forest regeneration, caribou habitat restoration, provincial park reforestation and Indigenous-led planting.