Bill Bourgeois’ opinion (Professional Reliance Review-Independent Oversight-Opinion) is the Professional Reliance Review recommendation to create an Office of Professional Regulation and Oversight is overly bureaucratic, unnecessary and does not guarantee to address the objectives of both increased accountability and transparency and improve forest management. A more responsible approach is suggested involving Government providing leadership in addressing the issue.
Author Archives: hfhc
Independent report on wildfires and floods falls short
The independent review of the 2017 wildfires and floods falls short when it comes to recommendations to adapt to the expected more frequent events. An assessment of the recommendations is provided in BC review of Govt responses to 2017 flood and wildfire events.
Wood and Human Health Connection
UBC and FPInnovations has established a link between wood and human health https://tinyurl.com/y6wxe5us In the study the presence of visual wood surfaces in a room lowered sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation. The SNS is responsible for physiological stress responses in humans. This result opens the door to a myriad of stress-related health benefits that the presence of wood may afford in the built environment. The application of wood to promote health indoors is a new tool for practitioners of evidence-based design.
Multi-class NFW field trips for K-7 classes
The NFW-BC Coalition is encouraging foresters and teachers to hold multi-class field trips as a NFW event to educate K-7 students about forests, forestry and the forest environment. These events focus on a day with multiple elementary classes visiting stops along a trail through the forest to learn about various topics. Examples posted on www.bcnfw.ca resources section.
Teachers interested in class participation should contact info@bcnfw.ca
Tenure reform discussion
The need for tenure reform was raised in several TLA Convention panel presentations. Bill Bourgeois provides his argument why tenure reform is unlikely to occur in the near future Tenure reform-Challenges
Minister Donaldson on BC forest vision and goals
Comment-Bill Bourgeois
I identified to Minister Donaldson the need for a legally binding BC vision and goals Letter to Minister Donaldson re vision-goals Although he is supportive of a vision, goals and objectives Letter to Minister Donaldson re vision-goals-response he did not go far enough in supporting the legalization of the statements. As mention in a previous post SFM-what needs to be done to demonstrate status it is nice to have a vision and goals but if these are not reflected in the strategic plans of management units and other decisions, they are just “feel good” statements. Throughout the past three decades this has been the case, probably because the statements are not legally binding and thus not a Ministry or industry requirement to ensure the strategic plans (e.g., Forest Stewardship Plans-FSP) are measured against the statements. Consequently, the vision statements have seldom been used in operations or forest management planning decision-making. We need to continue to push for legalization of the statements as part of the SFM infrastructure.
Tree identification resource
Teachers and others interested in a resource to learn about BC trees should check out http://treelib.ca
Legally binding vision-goals essential
One major shortcomings in the BC forest management infrastructure is the lack of a legally binding vision and associated goals as discussed in SFM-what needs to be done to demonstrate status. It is encouraging the Chief Forester provided a vision statement in BC Timber Goals Objectives 2017 as a response to the Auditor General questioning the lack of timber objectives. It is also encouraging goals and objectives beyond timber are being developed. Previous Chief Foresters have developed vision statements. However, they have never influenced the operational or strategic decision-making. This is because they are intended as guidance and not binding on decision-makers. If the Minister is serious about improving long-term forest stewardship in BC with the benefit of building resilient rural communities, the vision and goal statements have to be legally binding on decision-makers.
Response to Chief Forester 2017 wildfire retention guidance
Bill Bourgeois’ Response to Chief Forester wildfire salvage guidance document to be used by forest planners in developing salvage logging plans of 2017 wildfire areas. Sound rationale, supported by science, guidance is provided. It also contains valuable information for laypersons interested in the issue and topic. However, concerns are noted that could jeopardize achieving the Chief Forester objectives.
BC Forest management is not a failure!
Restoring Forestry in BC-Comments by Bill Bourgeois on the recent CCPA report by Bob Williams that BC forest management is a failure https://tinyurl.com/y9jdfvq6 Bill strongly disagrees we have failed. He has problems accepting the proposed new model and responds to major issues outlined in the report and addresses how we can resolve those where agreement exists and others within the current model.