In 2018, ecologist Suzanne Simard found herself in a precarious situation in the Caribou Mountains of Canada. Along with her daughters and friend, she witnessed a thunderstorm that ignited nearby forests. They had to hastily escape back to her truck, the air thick with smoke and the chaos of fleeing wildlife around them. This vivid experience highlights the growing threat of wildfires in Canada.
Since that year, wildfires have intensified. What was once the largest fire season in British Columbia’s history in 2018 was overshadowed by even larger blazes in 2021 and 2023. By 2023, the fires consumed an area three times the size of Nova Scotia and sent smoke all the way to New York City. Climate change is a significant factor, but the way forests have been managed also plays a crucial role. As logging companies replant forests with fast-growing conifers, these trees are more prone to fire than the diverse, native forests they replace.
For years, policymakers thought that human impact on these vast forests would be minimal. Simard, a professor at the University of British Columbia, argues otherwise. She emphasizes that deforesting areas doesn’t allow them to bounce back. Logging, coupled with increased wildfires and pine beetle infestations, has turned these once-thriving carbon sinks into net carbon emitters since 2001.
Simard has dedicated her career to changing how we understand and manage forests. She believes cutting down trees undermines our ability to combat climate change. Instead of investing solely in technologies for carbon capture, we should focus on preserving the natural systems that trees and plants already provide. “Highly evolved organisms like trees and plants do this much better than anything we can create,” she says.
Her research, as detailed in her bestselling book Finding the Mother Tree, suggests that trees are more than just individuals; they are part of a complex community. They communicate and share resources through a network of fungi called mycorrhiza. This idea of “mother trees” nurturing their surroundings resonates deeply, reflecting how interconnected forest life is.
Simard’s journey into forestry started in the Monashee Mountains, where her family worked in logging. She studied forest management and later earned advanced degrees in forest ecology. Early in her career, she noticed that sickly seedlings in replanted forests thrived better alongside diverse plant life. In a pivotal moment, her 1997 paper, dubbed “The wood wide web,” changed the discourse around forest ecosystems, arguing that trees could share nutrients, thus promoting healthier growth.
Despite her groundbreaking ideas, Simard faced skepticism from parts of the scientific community. Critics questioned her findings, and she met some personal backlash. Yet her work aligns with Indigenous knowledge, which has always recognized the interconnectedness of nature.
In response to escalating climate change, Simard stresses the need to shift how we approach forest management. Her current project, the Mother Tree Project, explores sustainable logging practices. By preserving key trees, or “mother trees,” forests can regenerate more effectively.
Recent statistics reveal that, according to surveys, a significant portion of the Canadian population is aware of the effects of climate change. People feel the reality of wildfires on their properties, driving public demand for change in how forests are managed.
Simard’s latest book, When the Forest Breathes, intertwines her scientific insights with personal reflections. It addresses not only forests but also significant moments in her own life, such as her battle with breast cancer and the loss of loved ones. “There’s no way to understand growth without understanding death,” she writes, highlighting the lifecycle’s interconnections.
While there are global challenges, like tensions between countries affecting environmental policies, Simard remains hopeful. Canadians are increasingly recognizing the urgent need to protect their natural resources, guided by new policies and public pressure.
As she prepares for a break to reconnect with the forests she loves, Simard continues to advocate for innovative solutions. Despite the hurdles, she hopes her work fosters a sense of agency among readers, encouraging them to feel part of the larger fight against climate change.
