Forest Management

Our mandate is the protection and sustainability of the natural resources by balancing the economic, social, environmental, and cultural benefits that the forest provides.

History of the Larose Forest

The Larose Forest was created in 1928 when agronomist, Ferdinand Larose, undertook the first conifer plantation on what was previously abandoned land.

Since the year 2000, the Larose Forest is managed by the regional municipality of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Technical Information

Characteristics

  • 633,000 trees planted since 2009 (24 different species)
  • 11,105 hectares (27,440 acres), including forests and wetlands
  • 345 hectares of property acquired since 2006
  • $5,3 million in harvest revenues reinvested in the forest since 2006
  • 198.92 hectares per year of annual harvest (2026-2030) (2.1% of productive forest)

Wildlife

The management of wildlife habitat is a key component of sustainable forest management.

Strategies for protection, maintenance, and enhancement of wildlife habitat are developed using provincial wildlife management guidelines and through consultation with experts.

Forest Diseases

Many Red Pine plantations in Southern Ontario are experiencing decline and mortality.

The Larose Forest has developed a management strategy for its Red Pine plantations, based upon recommendations made in “Mortality in Southern Ontario Red Pine Plantations: Causes, Consequences, and Management Options”, as well as with consultations with provincial forest pathologists and other Southern Ontario forest managers.

In some cases, the decline is so advanced that a salvage harvest is prescribed in order to capture the value in the affected trees before they die. 

Ecotourism

Please visit our Discover Section for a full list of activities you can enjoy in the Larose Forest.

Management Plan

The 20-year Forest Management Plan aims to ensure a clear orientation and balance for the long-term management of this resource.

Operations Plan

The 5-year Forest Operations Plan provides a schedule of forest operations for the 2026 to 2030 period. The Plan also provides a summary of forest management activity over the previous five-year period and a revised annual harvest area calculation, based on the results of ongoing monitoring.

Certifications

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell's Larose Forest is part of a network of certified forests that, through standards-based collaboration in conservation, community engagement, and education, promotes sustainable forest management creating long-term value. As a dual-certified forest, it is better able to meet diverse market demands for verified sustainability. Certification is maintained through annual third-party audits.

Larose Forest achieved Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification (FSC® C018800) in 2006, through the Eastern Ontario Model Forest's certification program. FSC® is a global, non-profit organization that sets standards for environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management.

Forest Stewardship Council logo with certification number FSC C018800

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certification (SFI-02042) was achieved in 2024. SFI® is a comprehensive, independent, non-profit certification program that works with environmental, social, and industry partners to improve forest management practices across North America and to strengthen responsible fiber sourcing worldwide.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative logo with certification number SFI-02042

To Learn More

To learn more about the certifications, including the information available to the public and the affected stakeholders, please visit the Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s website.

To contact the Larose Forest office: