Discover Mining, Forestry, and Energy in Canada!

A natural resource is something that comes from nature. Trees, water, rocks, and wind are all natural resources. You use natural resources every day!

Canada has many natural resources. People work hard to use these resources to make things you need. You can learn about Local Environment Natural Features and Human Structures to see how nature and people work together.

Forestry is the industry that uses trees from forests. A logger cuts down trees in the forest to get wood. Wood is used to build homes and make paper.

British Columbia has very large forests full of tall trees. Forestry is one of its biggest industries. After cutting trees, loggers plant new small trees so the forest can grow back.

A forester takes care of the forest and helps plant new trees. When too many trees are cut down, animals lose the homes they need. This is why forests must be protected and replanted.

Mining is the industry where workers dig into the ground. A miner digs rocks and metals like gold and iron from the ground. Canada has many mines across the country.

Gold is a metal that is mined from the ground. Coal is a rock found underground that can be burned for heat and energy. Alberta has large coal mines in the Rocky Mountains.

Mining digs big holes in the land, which can damage plants and animals living there. Dirty water from mines can flow into rivers and harm fish. This is why we must care for the land after mining.

Energy production means making power for homes and businesses. Canada uses many ways to make energy. You can explore Shared Resources to understand how communities share energy.

Wind turbines spin in the wind to make clean electricity. Canada uses wind energy to help power homes and businesses. Wind turbines do not make water, firewood, or soil only clean electricity.

Solar energy is energy that comes from the sun. Solar panels collect sunlight and turn it into electricity. Hydroelectric power comes from moving water in rivers. Dams use the power of flowing water to make electricity. Quebec and British Columbia have many large dams.

Oil is a liquid pumped from deep in the ground and used as fuel for cars and trucks. Much of Canada's oil is found underground in Alberta. Natural gas is burned to heat homes and cook food.

A renewable resource grows back or can be replaced, like trees. Non-renewable resources like oil cannot be replaced once used. Using less energy is called saving energy or conservation.

First Nations peoples teach that the land should be cared for and respected. They have protected the land in Canada for thousands of years. You will learn more about Caring for Our Surroundings as you keep studying.

Smoke from burning coal is called air pollution. It can make the air unhealthy for people and animals. If we use too many resources too fast, they can run out.

Natural Resource: A natural resource is something that comes from nature, like trees, water, or minerals. You use natural resources every day.

Forestry: Forestry is the industry that harvests trees from forests to make wood and paper. Canada's forests are one of the country's most important natural resources.

Logger: A logger is a worker who cuts down trees in forests to get wood. Loggers work in places like British Columbia.

Forester: A forester is a worker who takes care of the forest and helps plant new trees. Foresters help keep forests healthy.

Mining: Mining is the industry where workers dig into the ground to find metals and rocks. Canada has many mines across the country.

Miner: A miner is a worker who digs into the ground to find rocks and metals like gold and iron. Mining is an important industry in Canada.

Coal: Coal is a rock found underground that can be burned for heat and energy. Alberta has large coal mines.

Oil: Oil is a liquid pumped from deep in the ground and used as fuel for cars and trucks. Much of Canada's oil is found in Alberta.

Natural Gas: Natural gas is a resource burned to heat homes and cook food. It comes from underground.

Wind Turbines: Wind turbines are large machines that spin in the wind to make clean electricity. Canada uses wind energy to power homes and businesses.

Solar Energy: Solar energy is energy that comes from the sun. Solar panels collect sunlight and turn it into electricity.

Hydroelectric Power: Hydroelectric power is electricity made from moving water in rivers. Dams on rivers make water-powered electricity.

Renewable Resource: A renewable resource is something that grows back or can be replaced, like trees. Non-renewable resources like oil cannot be replaced once used.

Air Pollution: Air pollution is smoke or dirty air that makes it unhealthy for people and animals to breathe. Burning coal can cause air pollution.

Engineer: An engineer uses science and planning to build machines like turbines and dams that produce energy for Canadians.

Canadian Shield: The Canadian Shield is a large rocky region in central and eastern Canada with many minerals. It is an important area for mining.

You can think about the natural resources around you. Look for things made from wood, like your desk or a book. These came from trees in a forest!

You can also think about where your home gets its energy. Does it use electricity? That electricity might come from wind turbines, a dam, or solar panels. You will learn more about Civic and Environmental Duties: People and Planet Stewardship as you grow.

You already learned about Local Environment Natural Features and Human Structures and Shared Resources. These topics help you understand how people use the land and share what nature gives us.

Next, you will explore Environmental Consequences of Economic Activities and Human Effects on Nature. You will also learn about Using Earth's Resources and Sharing Earth's Resources.

You will discover Individual Environmental Responsibility and Protecting Our World. You can also look forward to Making Good Choices about how you use resources.

Many topics connect to what you are learning about natural resource industries. You can explore Parks and Natural Areas to see how some land is kept safe from industry. You will also learn about Population Growth and Community Development and how more people means more resources are needed.

You can discover how Water and Sewage Treatment Infrastructure Impact connects to keeping water clean after industries use it. You will explore Natural Features: Mountains, Forests, and Waterways to see where many resources are found.

You can compare Rural vs Urban Environments to see how resource industries affect different communities. You will also study People and Places and Features of Our Community to understand how industries shape where people live.

You can learn about Community Development: Founding, Business Changes, and Construction Milestones and Types of Businesses to see how resource industries are a type of business. You will explore Essential Community Services and How Communities Change as industries grow and change.

You can also discover Architectural Engineering: Buildings, Bridges, and Dams to see how engineers build the structures that help produce energy. Looking ahead, you will study Recreational Environmental Impact, Small vs Large Communities Environmental Impact Analysis, Global Climate Zones, and Regional Biodiversity: Plants and Animals Across Diverse Ecosystems. You will also explore Types of Landforms: Mountains, Valleys, and Plains and Community Environmental Protection Values.