Earth-i’s satellite imagery chosen to monitor tree logging in Canada

Earth-i will be supplying high-resolution images that will enable the Ministry to prevent illegal logging - and ensure sustainability and compliance.

Canada is the world’s largest exporter of softwood lumber. Its forests account for 9% of the world’s forest cover and 40% of the world’s sustainably managed forests.

To help protect its commercial forests from over-harvesting, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment has been using satellite images for several years. Following a competitive tender that attracted Earth Observation imagery providers from around the world, Earth-i was chosen as its high-resolution images will give The Ministry greater clarity of the situation on the ground.

Earth-i will use the DMC3 Constellation to provide images of areas of interest over Saskatchewan. The Constellation consists of three identical optical satellites in near-polar orbit, offering very high resolution (80cm detail pixels) and 3.2 metre four band multispectral data for any location on Earth.

The detail that DMC3 images provide could enable every individual tree to be counted and the multispectral data can be used to monitor their health and size.

Paul Majmader, Earth-i’s Commercial Director, said: “We will be providing the Ministry with the highest quality images available on the market today. As well as helping them to monitor the forests, we have a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the value of our data to the Canadian market.”

Earth-i already has a wide range of customers across the world including The World Bank, National and Local Governments and a multitude of specialist geospatial companies and other commercial organisations. In Australia, it is providing wide area mapping services to the Government of Queensland.