Category Archives: Governance infrastructure

From chaos to resiliency

It is my view the actions associated with BC forest stewardship are chaotic and not organized or clear to meet the needs of the 21st century BC Forest Asset for British Columbians. These actions frequently overlap one another, are not provided clear guidance that reflects the varied nature of the Forest Asset across the province, and do not deliver on learned advice from UNB Dean Gordon Baskerville and UBC Professor Emeritus Dr. Fred Bunnell. This will result in failure to achieve the loosely mentioned government direction of increasing value-added wood production and moving toward community resiliency.

If we are to get the most value out of the varied nature of the forest resources across BC, it is my opinion foresters must be provide greater guidance and use their knowledge and innovative skills to manage the Forest Asset. A framework is needed to guide decision-makers and operations foresters on long-term stewardship, the application of management and extraction principles and a provincial vision. Such a Framework is presented in here. From chaos to resiliency-applying a framework

Does BC need a forest stewardship paradigm shift?

“The new future of old forests in BC” Report (https://tinyurl.com/3fjudkms) submitted to Government called for a paradigm shift in the practice of BC forest stewardship. Is addressing the recommendations really a paradigm shift or part of the continued development of the 1970 originated model? It is critical that we are confident a major change is required as the statement generates divisiveness within the community concerned about BC forests. This is discussed in Forest stewardship-need for paradigm shift

Modernizing BC forest policy

Government’s “Modernization of Forest Policy” initiative has a major deficiency due to the adopted process. There is a lack of clear, high-level statements from Government relative to an infrastructure framework that guides the process.  Incorporating the recommendations presented in Forest renewal vision framework-action plan will go a long way in making a correction to reflect the demands of the 21st Century.

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.