210 resources found

The Private Forest Landowners Association represents managed forest owners across the province of British Columbia from the coastal to the interior, the large to the small, the veteran forester to the novice tree farmer. PFLA consistently participates in the public policy process to ensure government policy is fair, environmentally sound, fiscally responsible and sufficiently respectful of private property rights. PFLA offers regular workshops, training opportunities and communication updates to foster responsible and innovative forest management practices that encourage and promote the protection of key public environmental values on private forest lands.

The Ecological Restoration program offers specialized training in high-level ecosystem functioning and is designed for practitioners working in restoration and related environmental fields that see problems with current practices and want to investigate alternative and innovative solutions. This program develops critical thinking skills and asks challenging questions that require students to deal with the uncertainty that is present with problems in ecological restoration. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to conduct detailed site assessments and restoration projects that pay special attention to the unique conditions and challenges presented by built and otherwise highly altered environments.

Presented from both Indigenous and western perspectives, the online program provides a unique learning opportunity that combines knowledge of western fire science and Indigenous ways of knowing with landscape and fire ecology and social sciences to address a vital need for professional training in the increasingly complex area of wildfire management.

This interactive and self-paced short course is delivered through four e-learning modules. It is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about climate change, providing concepts, case studies, and perspectives with a focus on the B. C. context, aiming to enhance understanding and promote ideas for climate action.

This document explores how fire can intentionally contribute to wildfire resilience in British Columbia and introduces the concept of beneficial fire, defined as planned or unplanned wildland fire with positive ecological effects and acceptable risk to human communities. It presents a conceptual framework that integrates both ecological dimensions and community dimensions to guide management decisions. The document advocates for a whole-of-society approach to increase beneficial fire, including cultural fire, prescribed fire, and managed wildfire, by accelerating place-based assessments and improving community safety through measures like FireSmart.

This paper examines how community forests in British Columbia, Canada, are transforming wildfire governance by shifting away from traditional, centralized, and reactive approaches toward proactive, locally-driven management. The authors highlight that CFs, which are long-term forest tenures managed by Indigenous and/or local communities, act as local leaders in mitigating wildfire risk. Their success hinges on crucial factors such as financial and social capacity, particularly the ability to build trust and strong relationships with both community members and government agencies. Despite persistent challenges, the study concludes that CFs are a critical form of local wildfire governance, effectively implementing diverse strategies and fostering a fire lens in forest management to enhance wildfire resilience across various scales.

This paper highlights the crucial role of boundary spanners in addressing the escalating challenge of wildfires in Western Canada. These individuals and organizations bridge critical gaps, spanning different knowledge systems, organizations, and geographical areas, to foster collaboration and implement proactive fire management strategies, such as cultural and prescribed burning. The authors emphasize that despite the vital work of boundary spanners in building trust, sharing knowledge, and developing capacity, their contributions are often undervalued and lack sufficient institutional support. The piece concludes by asserting the urgent need for dedicated investment in boundary spanning roles to effectively integrate diverse expertise and facilitate collaborative, equitable solutions for wildfire management.

This presentation focuses on managing forests for resilience as a crucial method for achieving both forest sustainability and value. It begins by establishing the importance of resilience in the context of forestry, defining it across ecological, engineering, and social-ecological perspectives, and distinguishing between general and disturbance-specific resilience. The presentation then explores how to promote resilient forests, emphasizing the role of diversity, complexity, and understanding ecological systems. Through case studies and management principles, it demonstrates practical ways to enhance forest resilience at various spatial scales, acknowledging the inherent trade-offs in managing for future uncertainties like fire, insects, drought, and climate change.

This study investigates different methods for assessing the effects of controlled burning in a harvested forest area. The study compares the utility of satellite imagery, fire behavior modeling, unmanned aerial vehicle image analysis, and ground-based measurements in evaluating burn severity, fuel consumption, and impacts on surface conditions and vegetation. The report aims to identify accurate and efficient techniques for understanding and managing the ecological consequences of broadcast burning for land management purposes.

This document addresses the challenge of balancing timber harvesting with the conservation of at-risk plant communities that depend on mature and old forest conditions in British Columbia's Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone. Recognizing the scarcity of these older forests, the document outlines silvicultural practices aimed at maintaining existing structural diversity in high-conservation areas and accelerating the development of old-growth characteristics in younger, more homogenous stands. Ultimately, it seeks to equip forest professionals with strategies to enhance the ecological functions of older forests within provincial forest lands.

The BCCFA mission is to promote and support the practice and expansion of sustainable community forest management in British Columbia. The BC Community Forest Association represents over 100 rural and Indigenous communities across our province. The BCCFA shares a vision of a network of diverse community forest initiatives, where local people practice ecologically responsible forest management in perpetuity, fostering and supporting healthy and vibrant rural communities and economies.

Established in 2004, the Timber Sales Advisory Council provides a forum to gather sector viewpoints and obtain advice on a range of legislative, policy, business practice and program performance issues significant to BCTS. The council consists of representatives from industry associations whose members are significant BCTS customers and clients, and key BCTS staff including the program executive and senior managers. Work with a representative in their area to have the issue brought to TSAC; or contact the TSAC Secretariat directly and the Secretariat will forward the request to the Chair to decide the appropriateness of bringing the topicforward.

The College of Applied Biologists is a professional regulator that is committed to acting in the best interest of the public by ensuring that all registrants meet and maintain the ethical standards of professional competency and conduct. The College of Applied Biologists was created by The College of Applied Biology Act in 2003. It was the only legislation of its kind in North America, and was the first time applied biologists have been granted full professional status through self-governing legislation. In 2021, the College and its registrants came under the Professional Governance Act.

Under the authority of the Professional Governance Act, FPBC is responsible for regulating and registering the people practising professional forestry in BC. FPBC sets the standards and criteria for admission to the profession and continuing practice. FPBC ensures only those with requisite education, experience, knowledge, and competence practise professional forestry and it holds registrants to account for following professional standards via a public complaint and discipline process.

The SIP vision is that there is an accelerated growth of innovative silviculture by improving knowledge of these systems in British Columbia using research and extension. The SIP integrates both extension and knowledge creation to create impactful resources for forest practitioners. Using collaborative partnerships with communities and practitioners, we support diverse perspectives to fill critical knowledge gaps, enhance access to knowledge, and facilitate knowledge exchange.

The Forest Genetics Council of BC coordinates the production and use of tree seed so BC's future forests remain healthy, resilient and productive. FGC also owns Select Seed Company Ltd. , which produces lodgepole pine, spruce and Douglas-fir seed for BC's interior and provides program management services to Council.

The Western Forestry Contractors' Association represents independent businesses involved in forest management, ecosystem restoration and reforestation, wildfire management, pre and post-harvest planning and implementation services. The WFCA is based in British Columbia, Canada, and mission is to promote and support sustainable forestry practices, ensure a safe and healthy work environment, provide advocacy and representation to members, and represent the sector to the public. The WFCA believes in partnering with all governments, industry licensees, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to achieve these goals. The non-profit organization is primarily funded through membership fees and is governed by a volunteer board. Through our funding, the WFCA supports initiatives that benefit the forestry sector and our forests. These include the Safe Forestry Program and the Silviculture Labour Force Strategy, annual conferences, and subject matter expert contributions to the development of our governments' forest policies. Membership with the WFCA is voluntary.

FESBC, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, is a catalyst that unifies people around helping communities with sustainability, climate action, increasing First Nations participation in the forest economy, jobs for workers, abundant wildlife and healthy forests. The Forest Enhancement Society of BC continues to play a key role in the forests of B. C. , working with our partners to create healthier, more productive forests for the future. Through funding and direction from the government of BC, FESBC is able to support innovative projects throughout the province, delivered by Indigenous groups, communities, and contractors; projects which ensure value is generated from residual forest waste while reducing the risk from wildfires, improving wildlife habitat, and generating economic activity. The purposes of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC are: 1. To advance environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia's forests by: Preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires; Improving damaged or low value forests; Improving habitat for wildlife; Supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low value forests; and Treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases. 2. To advocate for the environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia's forests 3. To do all such other things as are incidental and ancillary to the attainment of the foregoing purposes and the exercise of the powers of the Society.