National Forest Inventory Aerial Imagery Program for Manitoba

High-Resolution Inventory Imagery Acquisition for 228 NFI Photo plots 

Supporting Canada's national forest monitoring program through standardized aerial imagery for long-term forest condition and climate analysis 

Project Summary

This project involves the acquisition of high-resolution, inventory-grade aerial imagery for 228 National Forest Inventory (NFI) photo plots located within Manitoba’s provincial green zone during the 2025/26 fiscal year. The work supports Manitoba’s role in delivering the National Forest Inventory (NFI) program under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Canadian Forest Service (CFS). Imagery acquisition forms part of the second national re-measurement cycle (T2: 2018–2027), ensuring consistent, standardized data collection across Canada’s systematic 2 km by 2 km NFI grid.

The primary objective of this acquisition is to provide current, high-quality imagery to enable accurate photo plot interpretation, forest condition assessment, and long-term change monitoring. The data contributes to sustainable forest management, supports climate change reporting and analysis, and ensures Manitoba remains on schedule in meeting its national forest inventory commitments.

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Problem / Objective  

Manitoba requires consistent, high-resolution aerial imagery to support accurate interpretation and monitoring of NFI photo plots as part of the national 10-year re-measurement cycle. The project demands standardized, inventory-grade data that aligns with federal specifications and integrates seamlessly into the broader NFI framework.

Key requirements include timely acquisition within the designated fiscal year, imagery suitable for detailed forest attribute interpretation, and deliverables that meet national reporting standards.

Approach  

These objectives were achieved through high-quality imagery combined with strategic flight planning and close operational coordination to successfully acquire a large volume of data across challenging and variable flying conditions. Careful timing, adaptive scheduling, and rigorous quality control ensured optimal acquisition windows, consistent coverage, and imagery that met strict inventory-grade specifications, enabling the accurate interpretation and reliable monitoring required to fulfill the project objectives.

Technologies and methodologies leveraged included LiDAR, photogrammetry, remote sensing, and automated processing workflows using industry-standard tools.