HFHC recommendations and comments regarding moving toward SFM and community resiliency from 2011-2019 are included in articles presented in Revitalization of Forest Sector-recommendations-comments (1)

Clearwater Mayor speaks out why Metro Vancouver residents should be concerned about mill closures in forest-dependent communities https://vancouversun.com/…/merlin-blackwell-metro-vancouver…

Bill Bourgeois provides his opinion on recent forest  Job loss and impact on families  and recommends an action model to move toward minimizing future forest sector losses through community diversification.

Western Forest Products and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations should be congratulated in coming to agreement on a new partnership in TFL 44 ( https://tinyurl.com/y9mtm582 ). It is not that other companies and First Nations have not developed agreements but this one has the First Nations buying interest (7%) in the TFL and having a say in how it will be managed, especially within their Territory. This partnership has the potential for working together on issues within the TFL that serve to benefit both parties.

Using the progress in implementing the recommendations from the Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities Initiative dialogue, Moving toward community resiliency-specific actions identifies steps by Government, industry and communities that can be taken immediately to move along paths to long-term forest stewardship and community resiliency.

Communities have asked for influence on the strategic management of local forests.  A description of the background and methodology to capitalize on opportunities exists in Community influence-local forest decision-making info. Forest management certification is one of the tools that communities can use to influence the forest practices in their local forests.  Much of BC has been certified by one or more of three certification systems. Communities are encouraged to learn about forest management certification and become involved in the process, which is briefly outlined in Forest management certification in BC.

Western Canada Sustainable Forestry Committee (SFI) was a contributing supporter to the forest management certification in BC graphics.

Success story video  http://interfor.com/responsibility/community (Building value for communities video) – Homalco First Nation is working with forest companies and a wilderness resort to integrate forest management with tourism businesses.

Bill Bourgeois opinion-As part of the public consultation on the BC Climate Leadership Plan, a Climate Leadership Plan-submission was provided that recommended climate change actions be integrated with forest activities and involve communities.  Implementation of these recommendations could use the Regional District as the basis.