Research Programs
Learning from the forest to steward it better
In the 1990s we initiated a collaborative research program which brought together forestry, wildlife, climate, and conservation scientists alongside our foresters to guide how we manage the forest under our care.
Working with universities, researchers, and conservation partners, we invest in dedicated research to enable science -based and outcome-focused policies related to:
- How forests grow
- How wildlife uses the landscape
- How our activities affect change
- How forest management can support biodiversity
- Do we need to make changes our approach
Science we can learn from. All third-party, published, and peer-reviewed.
Since 1990
-
$40+ M
in funding
Funding research to inform our forest management and conservation strategy.
-
125+
grad students & researchers
Supporting scientists from partner organizations, providing access to land and funding.
-
150+
research publications
Findings are reported in peer-reviewed scientific articles, reports, and graduate student theses.
Our Research Partners
Research
Forests are long‑term by nature.
So is our commitment to understanding them.
Real-world research helps inform decisions on the ground, guiding how we plan, adapt, and care for the forest over generations.
Forests are complex, living systems. Research helps us:
- Understand how forest management influences wildlife, water, and biodiversity
- Improve tree growth, forest health, and climate resilience
- Identify and protect rare species, sensitive habitats, and older forest features
- Test assumptions, challenge myths, and adapt forestry practices, based on evidence
- Balance conservation with jobs, communities, and renewable forest products
Our approach is grounded in a simple principle:
Learn. Apply. Monitor. Improve.
Here’s a closer look at some of the research.
Increased Songbird Diversity
New Brunswick researchers compared songbird species in working forests and nearby protected areas including Fundy National Park. The result? 79 different bird species were recorded in working forests and 65 in protected areas. However, 85 unique species were identified across the combined landscape, demonstrating how different forest types and ages complement one another, supporting broader biodiversity.
Protecting Wood Turtles
Wood turtles spend most of their summers on land, where they warm up in sunlight or cool off in shade, making them sensitive to land-use changes. PhD researcher Corey Trowbridge and his team tagged 19 female wood turtles with GPS and radio transmitters to track movements over multiple years, studying habitat preferences to inform forestry practices that protect this federally endangered species.
Bird Populations Rising
A 30-year research study shows many bird species are increasing in Maine’s working forests, due to an available mix of forest ages and habitats created through careful forest management. Nearly 70% of observed species showed population increases, bucking declining trends in North America. The study concluded "commercial forests of Maine are contributing in a positive way to bird conservation at a large scale."
Growing Better Trees
More than 45 years of tree breeding and growing research have helped identify local tree families that naturally grow faster, resist pests better, and are more adapted to deal with changing climate conditions. These improved seedlings are now planted across our managed forests, helping us grow more wood on less land—supporting wood supply, enhancing carbon capture, and aiding in conservation.
Protecting Deer Habitat
White tailed deer depend on sheltered forest conditions to survive harsh winters, especially in deep snow and cold temperatures. Researchers are using GPS tracking to study how deer move through the landscape and which forest types they rely on most during winter months. The data helps support better identification, planning, and conservation of these essential winter habitats.
Hi‑Tech Forest Maps
Advances in airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) enable researchers to map large trees and older forest patches across vast areas—features that were previously difficult or impossible to identify consistently. These forest characteristics are important for some wildlife species and long-term carbon storage. By pinpointing their locations, conservation and planning efforts can be more targeted and effective.
Cool Water Salmon Refuge
Atlantic salmon need cooler pockets in rivers during summer heat. Researchers used thermal infrared imaging to map where cold streams meet warmer water, creating refuges that matter for fish. At Castaway Salmon Pool on the Salmon River, two cold-water streams enter within 100 metres of each other. The site received extra riparian protection and joined Irving Woodlands' Conservation Areas Program.
Moose & Climate Change
By tracking 286 moose calves with GPS collars, researchers are studying how winter ticks, habitat use, and climate change interact to affect calf survival. The research findings suggest that ticks are having a negative impact on calf survival. Overall, the research is creating an understanding how a warming climate and increased winter tick populations lead indirectly to moose population decline.
Want a deeper dive?
The Role of Managed Forests in Biodiversity and Conservation in the Acadian Forest
For over a century, we've worked in these forests and learned what they need to thrive.
This report summarizes research and development focused on sustainable forest management that Irving Woodlands and our partners have conducted over the past 30 years.
The research shows how careful management supports wildlife, water quality, and forest health across the Acadian landscape—today and for generations ahead.