Category Archives: 2013-2020 Articles and Resources

Minister mandate actions vs 21st Century forest vision

A comparison of the  HFHC recommended 21st Century integrated forest sector vision items (https://www.bcforestconversation.com/bc-forest-renewal-vision-framework-update/)  with the forest related mandate items provided to each Minister by the Premier is in Minister mandates vs integrated 21st century forest sector vision.  Although the direction would contribute to the  recommended HFHC vision, they lack details and integration. Government still fails to provide legally binding forest resources management principles and vision for the 21st Century forest.  Also, there is no mention of increasing community knowledge related to forests, forest sector, etc. or re-building the forest resources research capacity.

BC Forest Renewal Vision Framework-Update

BC Government is proposing actions to renew the forest sector.  A BC forest renewal vision framework-Nov update provides a recommended framework for the 21st Century, including recommended actions.  It includes maintaining the positive components of the current forest sector and adding those to reflect the issues and challenges expected in the next Century.

Establishing a Working Forest-An alternative approach

The forest industry wants fibre security and proposes establishment of a Working Forest designation on a portion of the BC Crown land base.  This is a controversial proposal that has been rejected in the past.  However, the fibre security objective is sound.  A Working forest-alternative approach is proposed while still contributing to community resiliency and consistent with the BC forest renewal vision framework. 

BC Forest Renewal Vision Framework

Government has embarked upon the Revitalization/Renewal of the BC forest sector.  The BC forest renewal vision article provides a rationale, recommendations and implementation suggestions for a Provincial Forest Renewal Vision.  The vision will achieve the Government’s four (4) priority forest renewal goals and provide the infrastructure and necessary strategic regulation and policy actions to move to long-term forest stewardship and create a sustainable wood manufacturing sector that fully utilizes the available BC forest fibre.  Seven (7) infrastructure recommendations and twelve (12) priority strategic regulation and policy recommendations are provided.  The framework vision is intended to both update the current system and more effectively maintain and capitalize on the BC forest asset and subsequently community resiliency.

How do trees talk to one another?

Dr. Suzanne Simard in the TED talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=Un2yBgIAxYs  provides an excellent description of the research work she and her colleagues have done regarding how trees exchange nutrients and awareness of up coming disease attacks through their roots.

Scientific research is intended to inform forest management policy and practices.  Foresters are confronted with many challenges planning and implementing actions to achieve long-term forest stewardship.  The process involves balancing environmental, economic, social and cultural values.  The challenge in the case of the research provided by Dr. Simard should be how to include this knowledge as a serious part of the input into the forester’s decision-making but not necessarily the only component in the decision.