Sustainable forest management requires data on a range of values and input from various stakeholders. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others have an important role to play in providing data. Since 1999, Global Forest Watch Canada (GFWC) has been compiling and creating datasets to monitor changes occurring within Canada's forests. GFWC's work highlights the need for, but challenges of, creating accessible, affordable data to improve forest policy that spans provincial and territorial borders. Such an approach requires collaboration amongst different jurisdictions as well as the participation of NGOs and industry.