People sitting around a campfire with trees in the distance, under a starry night sky

Buy Local, Burn Local!

Let’s Protect Our Forests Together!

Hey there, fellow nature lovers! We all treasure Canada’s stunning outdoor spots. Let’s join forces and keep them safe by choosing locally sourced firewood!

Why This is Super Important

Did you know Canada boasts a whopping 347 million hectares of forest? That’s nearly 9% of the world’s forests—impressive, right? These beautiful trees do so much for us: they catch rainwater, provide fantastic shade on hot days, give homes to wildlife, and support many industries that produce wood products.

But here’s the thing—our trees are threatened by pesky invaders like the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle. While these little guys may move slowly, transporting firewood can help them hitch a ride to new areas, spreading damage to our beloved forests.

A pile of chopped fire wood with a house in the snow in the distance behind

How You Can Help

Protecting Canada’s greenery is easier than you think! Here are some simple, friendly tips for using firewood responsibly:

  • BUY firewood close to where you’ll be enjoying it.

  • LEAVE any leftover firewood right there at your campsite.

  • LEARN to spot those sneaky invasive species and let someone know if you see them!

  • BURN any out-of-town firewood you brought with you, and remember to grab local firewood next time!

Make these steps your new routine whenever you’re lighting a fire, whether it’s at the cottage, out camping, or just chilling in your backyard!

Indigenous Communities and Forestry

Moving firewood may seem harmless, but it can carry invasive pests that threaten forests, wildlife, and the communities that depend on them. Many Indigenous Nations have deep cultural, spiritual, and economic connections to the land, with forests playing a vital role in traditional practices, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

Emerald ash borer on a leaf

Mi’kmaw Conservation Group: Terrestrial Invasive Species Initiative Spotlight

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq is a Tribal Council dedicated to supporting the self-determined priorities of its eight member First Nations. Through the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG), the Confederacy provides policy, program, and capacity-building support to help restore Mi’kmaq law and promote respect for lands and waters.

An upcoming spotlight will highlight MCG’s terrestrial invasive species initiatives, focusing on the impacts of forest insects such as hemlock woolly adelgid and emerald ash borer, along with efforts to address these threats.

When invasive species spread, they disrupt ecosystems, endanger essential tree species, and impact Indigenous businesses that rely on healthy forests. Buying local firewood and leaving wood where you find it can help protect these landscapes for future generations.

Take the Buy Local Burn Local pledge

#BuyLocalBurnLocal-Pledge

Moving firewood can move invasive insects and diseases. Beetles, larvae, and fungal spores can hitch a ride across long distances, devastating forests and native tree species. The solution is simple: buy where you burn.

Take the Buy Local Burn Local pledge

Name
Pledge Statements
I pledge to Buy Local Burn to help stop the spread of forest pests and protect Canada’s trees.

Resource Library

We’ve got some great tools for our partners ready to spread the word about Buy Local, Burn Local:

  • Best practices guides
  • Snazzy rack cards and posters
  • Educational materials in English, French, and bilingual formats

Protect forests—burn local firewood.

See how you can make a difference.