Historically the Boreal Forest had many threats: logging, mining, climate change, and insect infestation.

With warmer temperatures, the Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence ecosystem has more broadleaf trees. And many species have moved north. Sadly that includes moose. Deer carried innumerable insects into the ecosystem. They torment the deer. Times change, but at least the moose live on farther north.

The Center for Renewal of Boreal Forest focuses on two insects. Pine beetles devastate trees in The Coast and Montane regions. Spruce budworms devastate trees in Boreal Forest and Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence regions.

Here are the stages of managing these two types of insect infestations:

• Scan the environment for signs of infestation
• Bait the insects with pheromone to concentrate populations.
• Clear a periphery in the forest.
• Start a controlled burn at the epicenter.
• Prime the forest floor for seeding.
• Select seeds according to fire resistance and ability to attract birds (notably warblers and woodpeckers).
• Reseed the area by the drones.

Another aspect of this process involves wildlife corridors. As the boreal forest has become disjointed by climate change, migrating animals need them.