Commitment. Responsibility. Accountability.
At Gorman Bros., responsible forestry begins long before a single tree is harvested. Our professional foresters and technicians conduct detailed ecological assessments to guide every step of the process—from harvesting to reforestation and long-term forest protection. All our forest management practices align with a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP), which outlines clear goals for both timber production and the conservation of non-timber values in the forests that supply our mill.
Gorman Bros.’ Woodlands operations on Forest Licence A18671 are guided by a comprehensive Environmental Management System (EMS), designed to ensure all forestry activities are planned, monitored, and executed in a way that minimizes environmental impact. Our EMS includes robust planning, staff training, inspections, and reporting processes to uphold the highest standards of environmental protection.
In 2013, Gorman Bros. Lumber—along with Downie Timber and Canoe Forest Products, collectively known as the Gorman Group of Companies—achieved certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Standard. As part of this commitment, we developed and maintain a land-based Sustainable Forest Management Plan (SFMP), which supports our SFI certification and includes rigorous annual evaluation and public reporting.
To extend our sustainability efforts beyond our directly managed lands, we provide Best Management Practices to our log suppliers, encouraging responsible forestry practices across the broader landscape. Gorman Bros. has also implemented PEFC Chain of Custody, ensuring traceability of wood products from sustainably managed forests through to the marketplace.
The Forest Practices Board conducts random audits of forest licensees each year. Gorman Bros. Woodlands Department, when audited in 1999, received not only a clean audit, but was commended on the extra care and attention paid to non-timber values such as water, and on our efforts to involve the public in our planning processes. As well, certification/registration services are provided by professional auditors through Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP.
