2021 Conference and AGM
October 21–22, 2021 Virtual
BCCFA’s 2021 Conference and AGM was held virtually this year. We would rather have been meeting face to face, yet we are pleased with how the the conference program maximized the presentation of important information, solid Q & A sessions and showcased the leadership and proactive accomplishments of community forests. Many of us came away inspired to make even more out of the incredible opportunities inherent in community forests.
We heard from provincial representatives about the new forest policy direction proposed by government and we were fortunate to have The Hon. Minister Conroy for an hour long session on Day 2. She announced the winners of the Robin Hood Memorial Award and took questions prepared by the board of the BCCFA.
Conference Presentations
Session 1 – Modernizing BC Forest Policy—The Intentions Paper—A vision driving change
Moderator – Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director, BCCFA
The Intentions Paper (IP) covers a broad range of proposed policy reforms focused on sustainability, reconciliation, people and communities, competitiveness, and fairness. The Province is currently engaged in discussions with Indigenous Nations and stakeholders on the priority items in the IP. This is a very fast moving file for the Province and new information may emerge any day. In this session government representatives introduced the reforms identified in the IP and provided current information on topics of importance to community forests including the Old Growth Strategic Review, FRPA reforms and the intention to harmonize pricing for small tenures.
Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) Improvement Initiative Update
Rachael spoke to the ongoing work to improve forest practices in BC, and to better align forest management with the provisions of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Old Growth Strategic Review Provincial Update
Government policy on old growth has been a hot topic in BC. Last June the Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel was appointed to support government’s next steps in a science-based approach to transforming old growth management. We heard from Margaret about the latest developments on this file.
Community Forests, Land Use Planning and Old Growth
Presenters talked about their approach to these important questions – What is old growth? Where should old growth be? How do you see planning and managing old growth in a community forest?
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Colin Macleod and David DeWit (Office of the Wet’suwet’en), both board members from the Wetzin’kwa Community Forest, spoke to their Old Growth Policy that guides management decisions on their community forest.
Session 2 – Wildfire and Fuel Reduction
Moderator – John Cathro, RPF, Cathro Consulting, Kaslo
In this session we debriefed the 2021 fire season and learned about the new BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) initiatives and direction, which puts a focus on the importance of interagency engagement and relationship development in effective wildfire risk reduction and management. New research was shared on the efficacy of fuel treatments in assisting fire suppression efforts and in reducing wildfire severity. Community Forests told their stories of the 2021 fires on their tenures and showcased the proactive work & critical role they have played in the development of beneficial partnerships and how those relationships on the fire prevention side, lead to better relationships on the suppression side.
Overview of the 2021 fire season and BCWS organizational changes and new direction.
Debrief of 2021 Wildfire Season and the Intersection of Wildfire with Treated Areas – Presentations by Community Forest Managers impacted by 2021 Wildfires
Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction—Past, present, future
Overview of the Community Resiliency Investment program, including Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction, the BCCFA Economic Recovery Program and the importance of Partnerships and Agreements.
Update on the recent field season’s research on community forests and efficacy of fuel treatments.
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Lori Daniels, Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry, Dept. of Forest and Conservation Sciences Link to the presentation coming soon
Session 3 – Reconciliation, Provincial Forest Policy and Relationship Building
Moderator, Craig Candler
The Province is working to increase economic and land management opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and align new forest legislation, regulation and policy with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. With 203 First Nations in the province, the process will not happen overnight. Meanwhile, community forest agreement holders (CFAs) must navigate the increasing expectations and keep their businesses going. For example: Approvals—how do CFAs navigate this new, challenging environment, and build the important relationships with First Nations that will be different at each TSA level? In this session we learned more about the new direction of the provincial government. And we heard from our colleagues working at the community level about the learning and unlearning required to make progress on the important relationships that will benefit everyone in BC, Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
Reconciliation and the new direction of the Provincial government
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Tom McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Minister, Negotiations & Regional Operations Division, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and Melissa Sanderson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Forest Policy and Indigenous Relations Division, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Link to the presentation coming soon
Building a Community Forest—The Quesnel Community Forest Team
The team talked about the history of their process to receive an invitation to apply for a community forest, what they have learned so far, and what they hope to achieve.
Turning the Dial on Reconciliation
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John Jack, Councillor for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations
The Huu-ay-aht First Nations are a modern treaty nation located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Huu-ay-aht are the community forest tenure holder of K3N (16,922 m3) and a partner with the community of Bamfield of K2E (860m3). John is the Nation’s representative to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District since 2012, and he has been its Chair since 2016. John spoke to his experience of what is required to truly build capacity and to make real, sustainable progress towards reconciliation. No electronic presentation, but a great presentation. Best quote—“Reconciliation is happening in BC…we are becoming what we should have been.”
Session 4 – A Session with the Minister and Presentation of the Robin Hood Memorial Awards
The Minister addressed the delegates and presented the Robin Hood Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Forestry for 2020 and 2021, including the 3 Honourable Mentions.
Session 5 – Community Forest Innovation in Forest Education
Moderator, Harley Wright
Community Forests are contributing to forestry education in our schools and communities, contributing to a better informed public and encouraging post-secondary forestry education.
Session 6 – Update on Forest Safety Resources
Moderator – Susan Mulkey
Dave is a member of the Woodlot and Community Forest Safety Committee of the BC Forest Safety Council and provided an update on new resources.
Session 7 – Climate change adaptation in the Harrop-Procter Community Forest: An adaptation model using practical tools
Moderator – Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary, Forests, Lands Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen
Climate change projections and risks have been widely discussed for many years, but climate adaptation concepts have generally been poorly integrated into applied forest management decision-making. In 2011, the Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative recognized the need for real world adaptation examples, and is now ready to share their experience integrating climate science and risk assessment into tangible forest management decision-making. In this session, practical adaptation management tools were discussed, including novel approaches to watershed planning, harvest prioritization and layout, wildfire risk reduction, and silviculture.