• innovative approaches to sustainable forest management practices;
• technologies and systems for collecting and integrating information;
  
• and scientific, technical and policy advice for national and international initiatives.
  

The CFS has a long tradition of excellence in scientific research. Science and technology initiatives focus on two key areas: understanding forest ecosystems and developing strategies for advancing sustainable forest management.

The CFS delivers its S&T Program through five national networks, each dealing with a different area of forest science and technology. The target-based networks include: Climate Change and Fire Research, Enhanced Timber Production and Protection, Forest Ecosystem Processes, Forest Health and Biodiversity, and Knowledge and Information Synthesis. The aim is to increase internal efficiency and to facilitate the development of non-governmental and international partnerships. Its scientific and technical expertise allows the CFS to play a strong role in addressing national and international issues affecting the sustainable management of Canada's forests.

The CFS brings different stakeholders together to develop common strategies. For example, the CFS works with provinces to compile national statistics, to develop criteria and indicators for sustainable management, and to design a National Forest Strategy. In addition, the CFS establishes links with other federal departments, provinces and territories, industry, the Aboriginal community and non-governmental organizations to support Canadian leadership in forestry.

The Canadian Model Forest Program is one of the most comprehensive attempts to develop and implement practical and transferrable approaches to sustainable forest management. The program relies on advanced science and technology, multi-agency partnerships and strong public participation.

Five Research Centres

Five CFS research establishments across Canada are responsible for scientific leadership in one or more key priority areas.

The five centres are:

Pacific Forestry Centre - Victoria, British Columbia
Northern Forestry Centre - Edmonton, Alberta
Great Lakes Forestry Centre - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Laurentian Forestry Centre - Sainte-Foy, Quebec
Atlantic Forestry Centre - Fredericton, New Brunswick