Apr 26, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. WWF-Canada and Domtar have taken their partnership to new heights with an ambitious agreement that solidifies their joint commitment to ensuring the long-term conservation of the Canadian boreal forest, a globally significant forest region. Through this agreement, WWF-Canada will work with Domtar on the following areas: - To pursue FSC certification, the highest forest certification standard globally, for all Domtar-managed forestland in Canada; - To identify important areas for protection on Domtar-managed lands; - To promote FSC-certified environmentally responsible papers, such as Domtar's EarthChoice(R) line. This agreement marks an important milestone for both organizations that serves as a testament to the impact of collaborative business-NGO partnerships, which benefit both business and the environment. "Domtar's commitment to sustainable forest management has long been one of the cornerstones of our business strategy," affirmed Raymond Royer, president and CEO of Domtar. "This new agreement will enable us to bring our commitment a step further by working in partnership with WWF-Canada to continue implementing FSC certification, to protect the long-term health of these forestlands, and to encourage public adoption of FSC-certified products like the Domtar EarthChoice line of papers." Domtar has been working in partnership with WWF-Canada since November 2003 when it became the first Canadian-based fine papers company to pledge to certify all of its forests and mills to the rigorous FSC standard. Since then, Domtar has achieved FSC certification for 5 million hectares of its forestland, setting an example for others to follow in meeting the challenges of sustainable forest management. The company has also already voluntarily identified areas for protection equivalent to three times the size of Toronto, in addition to government regulated protected areas in their forests. Through this agreement, Domtar and WWF-Canada will continue to identify additional areas for protection within the boreal forest. "A key part of this agreement involves the joint identification of areas for protection on lands managed by Domtar in the boreal forest, a region that plays a vital role on a global scale for carbon storage, regulating water supply, and providing a home for plants and animals," said Mike Russill, president and CEO, WWF-Canada. "Our partnership with Domtar will also address the management of important conservation values and habitat for key species such as caribou." Founded in 1967, WWF-Canada has become one of the country's leading conservation organizations. Domtar Corporation is the largest integrated producer of uncoated freesheet paper and one of the largest manufacturers of papergrade market pulp in North America. The company designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes a wide range of business, commercial printing, publication, and technical and specialty. Domtar owns and operates Domtar also produces lumber and other specialty and industrial wood products. The company employs nearly 14 000 people.