The UBCM rpt-Forest_Policy_Decision-making survey reports 85 per cent of 66 community respondents reported experiences of inadequate community consultation or engagement by tenure holders regarding forestry decisions. This confirms the views of communities heard during the HFHC dialogue in 2011-2013. “The survey results reconfirm what previous reports have already concluded: forest policy decisions need to be made in an open and transparent manner, based on community engagement and consultation, to ensure that the decisions are in the best interests of the community, the province and the overall sustainability of the forest resource.”

A positive response from Government is problematic based on the track record over the last decade when presented with these concerns. However, communities have an opportunity to address this issue as outlined in the HFHC Community Influence Section on this website. Very few forest companies want to fight with the communities in-which they operate. Adopting the strategy and proposed actions identified in the Section will lead to building positive relations and meeting the community vision and goals relative to the management of their local forests. We don’t have to wait until Government responds!

Information: Visitors to the HFHC website have advised us to make the forest videos/webside links database profiled more on the front page.  Consequently, we have created a section called Forests 101.  We would encourage all visitors wanting to learn more of the basics regarding BC forests and wood products to check out the database.  We would also welcome any additional topics that should be added.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative have identified 7 ways to spot a healthy forest http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/7-ways-spot-healthy-forest.html.  Although some people may question some of the points and others will say it is difficult to get the details to do the evaluation, it is worth a read.

Information-Analysis report on Christmas tree-real or artificial and its carbon footprint- which is less? It depends.  http://www.sightline.org/2015/12/21/your-christmas-trees-carbon-footprint/  Christmas tree industry contributes to community diversification while not impacting climate change in many conditions.

Professional Reliance concept was introduced with FRPA to give more responsibility for forest decisions to forest professionals.  The Forest Practices Board studied how this has worked in FPB Board Bulletin 014-professional reliance