For centuries, people in the Northwest Territories (NWT) have used the boreal forest for subsistence purposes. The forest provides food, shelter and the materials to build canoes, moose skin boats and sleds. 

Forest resources continue to be used for subsistence as well as commercial and recreational purposes. Many people use wood for all or part of their heating requirements. Plants and berries are harvested on a regular basis for personal consumption and economic purposes. A growing forest industry provides opportunities for jobs, training and economic development through the harvest and processing of timber for use as biomass and other products.

The Government of the Northwest Territories provides a policy, planning and regulatory framework for the stewardship, protection and sustainable management of forest resources on 40-million hectares of land in the NWT.

The goal is to ensure sustainability of forest use for future generations through careful management.