How will we ensure the long-term ecological and cultural vitality of forests while realizing their critical role in providing materials for next-generation built environments? 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

One of society’s great challenges of the next three decades will be to balance the need for low-carbon urban construction with the need to conserve and restore thriving forests. Canada will find itself in the centre of this global crucible, called upon to provide “wood to the world” so that expanding cities avoid the worst climate impacts of building with concrete and steel. This event invites all who are invested in the future of forests and the built environment to anticipate, discuss, and find ways to resolve this quandary.

​

2022 Thriving Forests Symposium

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

When

The event will take place over two half days, September 14–15, 2022 at 9:00-13:00 PST (12:00-16:00 EST). 

​

Who

The event is designed to foster deep engagement and learning among leaders with different expertise and perspectives. All panelists and moderators are encouraged to attend the entire event in order to support the continuity of the conversation and ensure that ideas from the first day carry over to the second day. 

 

What

The conversation will be rooted in a growing web of understanding that thriving forests are vital to the climate, biosphere, and ethnosphere. We depend on forests for physical, ecological, and socio-cultural necessities. At the same time, demand for timber is increasing as new technologies make it possible to replace high carbon-emitting materials, like steel and concrete, with wood structures in dense urban settings. Whether these concurrent demands compete or complement each other will depend on our approach. The effort to depart from fossil fuel-based and exploitative systems must be mirrored by efforts to arrive at equitable, regenerative, and thriving systems. Moving forward with humility and respect for the complex web of interrelationships depends on creating shared understandings based on broad data and experiences. By listening to and learning from many perspectives, including the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples and communities, we can co-create new shared pathways together. 

​

Why

These gatherings aim to engage and serve the architectural community, allied professionals, and managers and stewards of forests across Canada and beyond — all who have a role to play in bringing forth a future of thriving forests and sustainable building materials. Through co-creation, we can contribute to a balanced path forward and bring greater insight to the work of shaping places, buildings, and landscapes.

 

How

The dialogue will be built around a series of six themed panel forums — three on each of the two half days. During each panel, four leaders will reflect on the theme through the lens of their own work. A moderated panel discussion will follow these short presentations, which will in turn be followed by a broader facilitated conversation amongst the entire gathering. In addition, there will be ideation breakouts and networking time.

 

These events is being developed in partnership between the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and Pilot Projects Design Collective (Wood at Work).

​

Video Resources