Fur Institute of Canada

Promoting the sustainable and wise use of Canada's fur resources

Trapping has been a part of life in what is now called Canada since First Nations peoples first crossed the Bering Land Bridge and inhabited this new land. Thousands of years after this migration, the fur trade became the chief commercial interest of colonizing countries, drawing European settlers to the eastern reaches of this vast territory and opening up frontiers to the west and north. On the foundation of this trade, a nation was built.

Furbearers have been selectively harvested for centuries in Canada and today furbearer populations remain healthy and abundant under the stewardship of tens of thousands of trappers and provincial and territorial wildlife agencies across the country. Regulated trapping is an excellent example of sustainable resource management.

The regular presence of trappers in the bush allows them to notice changes first-hand. They are often the first to recognize changes in habitat, spread of wildlife disease, or decline in wildlife population numbers. No wildlife conservation agency today has the time or money to mount this level of surveillance in the bush. Trappers play an important role in observing the environment and reporting what they see to conservation authorities.

Trappers make a wide range of contributions to ensure that furbearers and other wildlife will continue to occupy their rightful places in Canada’s ecosystems. From relocating endangered species to replanting trees and restocking rivers and streams, our members collaborate with other committed groups to ensure healthy animal populations and a healthy environment.

The Fur Institute of Canada has assembled a report of trappers’ contributions to conservation in all provinces and territories in Canada. From respect for traditional ways of life to the support of cutting edge scientific studies, trappers take conservation seriously:

• "Cree trappers reach agreement with forestry companies to extend forest stands along bodies of water and to protect wildlife areas and burial and sacred sites ..."
• "Traditional knowledge base being built in Nunavut ..."
• "B.C.Trappers help to restore beaver habitat ..."
• "Manitoba trappers live-trap martens for relocation to provincial park ..."
• "Yukon trappers reduce predation pressure on endangered caribou ..."
• "Much of what we know today about wildlife diseases and parasites comes from analysis of carcasses that trappers have turned in ..."
• "New Brunswick trappers help curb the spread of rabies ..."
• "Ontario trappers provide valuable control services ..."

The Fur Institute of Canada, a national non-profit organization based in Ottawa, was established in 1983 on the initiative of the federal, provincial and territorial Wildlife Ministers. Its overall mission is to promote the sustainable and wise use of Canada’s fur resources.

The Institute is an active member of various international fur trade and conservation organizations, including the IFTF (International Fur Trade Federation), the IUCN (World Conservation Union), and IAFWA (International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies).