[forest certification] (https://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/les-forets/amenagement-durable-forets/certification-forestiere/) is a voluntary process by which an accredited and independent registration body recognizes that forest management practices meet pre-established standards for sustainable forest management. Compliance with the requirements of a certification system is assessed by an external auditor. Two forest certification systems are currently used by the forest industry in Quebec: the [Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)] (https://forests.org/fr/) and the [Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)] (https://ca.fsc.org/ca-fr). A management certificate is granted to a forest area and its scope may extend to one or more management units. Forest certification monitoring is limited to public forests managed under the Quebec forest regime. **This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

This product presents a polygonal layer of wetlands of interest (MHI) located on the domain of the State and designated under the Sustainable Forest Development Act (LADTF, chapter A-18.1). The wetlands of interest are wetlands of high ecological value or of great importance for maintaining biological diversity. Their management is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF). Forest management activities are prohibited on the territory of a wetland of interest, with few exceptions. Legally designated wetlands of interest are exempt from industrial activities, which allows them to be registered on the Register of protected areas and AMCE* in Quebec maintained by the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. This data comes from the MRNF's Forest Territorial Subdivisions (STF) product, which is the official source of this geographic information. *AMCE: other effective conservation measures**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Local service points are the preferred communication channel for the main local clienteles with the minister's representatives. Staff provide forest services provided by the Department and implement departmental programs. Each management unit office is associated with a territory, and the same office can house two different management units. In addition, due to the size of the territory, a management unit may from time to time have local offices under its responsibility in order to facilitate forest management.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Territorial division used by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF) within which the market value of standing wood (VMBSP) calculated by the Wood Marketing Bureau (BMMB) is required for wood of a given species and quality, which must be uniform. This delimitation of forest pricing zones has been in force since April 1, 2019.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The regional agency for the development of private forests is a non-profit legal entity. Its constitution and organization are described in sections 132 to 168 of the Sustainable Forest Development Act (RLRQ c. A-18.1). The territory of the agency is a grouping of MRCs redivided according to the territory of application of private lands only. With a view to sustainable development, the aim of the agency is to guide and develop the development of private forests in its territory, in particular by: + the development of a protection and development plan (PPMV); + financial and technical support for protection or development. To this end, the agency manages the assistance program for the development of private forests for which only owners of private woodlots recognized as forest producers can benefit. A forest producer must call on a forest advisor to obtain the financial assistance granted and to receive the professional and technical services necessary to carry out the eligible work. The forest advisor must be accredited by the regional agency for the development of private forests. This data comes from the MRNF STF system, which is the __official source__ of this geographic information.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

This data shows the names of accredited independent forest advisers who work throughout the territory covered by the various agencies. Independent forest advisors accredited by regional private forest development agencies deliver the Private Forest Development Assistance Program (PAMVFP) by offering forest management services to forest producers throughout the territory of the agency that accredits them. To find out about all the forest consultants offering management services on your property, contact the regional agency in your region. To learn more about the PAMVFP, visit the [Financial assistance to develop your woodlot] page (https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/forets/proprietaires-forets-privees/aide-financiere/programme-mise-en-valeur) on the Government of Quebec website (quebec.ca). For more information on private forest partners, consult the [Organizations active in private forest] page. .] (https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/forets/proprietaires-forets-privees/organismes-foret-privee)**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Biological refuges are small forest areas located on the domain of the State and permanently removed from forest management activities in order to maintain the biological diversity associated with old forests. Their management is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF). Forest management activities are prohibited on the territory of a biological refuge, with few exceptions. There are currently 3,704 biological refuges in Quebec, distributed relatively uniformly throughout managed forests in the domain of the State. Biological refuges can be designated under the Sustainable Forest Development Act (LADTF, chapter A-18.1) or in draft before legal designation. Legally designated organic refuges make up the vast majority. They are exempt from industrial activities, which allows them to be registered in the Quebec Register of Protected Areas (RAP) maintained by the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP). This data comes from the MRNF STF system, which is the __official source__ of this geographic information.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The planning unit (UA) is a territorial reference unit that applies to forest territories in the domain of the State under article 13 of the Sustainable Forest Development Act (LADTF). There are currently 57 AU on Quebec's public forest territory. The sustainable forest management strategy provides guidelines and objectives for sustainable forest management for this forest area. The purpose of this delimitation of forest territory is to define areas for the production of resources. Thus, the Minister can grant various forest rights in this territory, such as guarantees of supply (GA), harvesting permits in order to supply a commercial wood processing plant (PRAU), harvesting permits in order to supply a non-commercial wood processing plant, i.e. forest biomass (PRBIO), permits for maple syrup farms (mixed production), permits for blueberry fields (forests) blueberry), mining rights permits (mining concessions) and legal protections for the forests of experimentation (FE). This AU delimitation has been in force since April 1, 2023 and comes from the MRNF STF system, which is the __official source__ of this geographic information.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

This product is represented by a polygonal layer covering the territory served by forest groups. Forest groups accredited by regional private forest development agencies deliver the Private Forest Development Assistance Program (PAMVFP) by offering forest management services to forest producers in exclusive territories. To find out about all the forest groups offering management services on your property, contact the regional agency in your region. For more information about __PAMVFP__, consult: [Financial assistance to develop your woodlot | Gouvernment du Québec (quebec.ca).] (https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/forets/proprietaires-forets-privees/aide-financiere/programme-mise-en-valeur) For more information on private forest partners: https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/forets/proprietaires-forets-privees/organismes-foret-privee**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Forest producers' unions are non-profit organizations that bring together forest owners in their region. The mission of these organizations is to promote, defend and protect the socio-economic interests of forest owners. Under various names, 13 unions or offices of forest producers are present across Quebec and are affiliated to the [Federation of Quebec Forest Producers (FPFQ)] (https://www.foretprivee.ca/). Unions or agencies administer a regional joint plan that regulates the marketing of forest products from private lands. This numerical information is for illustrative purposes only. Legally, territorial boundaries are described in the regulations of each regional joint plan of forest producers adopted under the Act Respecting the Marketing of Agricultural, Food and Fishery Products. If in doubt, please check with the forest producers' union in your region. Refer to https: [//www.foretprivee.ca/jamenage-ma-foret/intervenants-en-foret-privee/syndicats-offices-de-producteurs-forestiers/] (//www.foretprivee.ca/jamenage-ma-foret/intervenants-en-foret-privee/syndicats-offices-de-producteurs-forestiers/)**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**