Community forests give British Columbians a stronger say in how their local forests are managed.  

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They strengthen relationships with First Nations, support local jobs, fibre supply, and value-added opportunities, help communities prepare for wildfire, support stewardship of the many values people depend on from forests, and keep more forest revenue working locally. 

 

As British Columbians head to the polls, the BC Community Forest Association is asking all provincial parties and candidates to support two clear commitments for the future of community forestry in B.C. 

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OUR TWO PRIORITIES 

1. Expand the Community Forest Program and Protect Its Viability 

Expand the Community Forest Program by creating new community forest agreements and expanding existing ones where First Nations and communities support them. 

 

Expansion must go hand in hand with maintaining the supportive policies that have made community forests successful. These policies need to recognize the unique mandate, scale, and operating conditions of community forests, as well as their ability to manage for multiple values and reinvest locally.  

 

Why it matters: More community forests can strengthen locally accountable forest stewardship, relationships with First Nations, local employment and contractors, fibre supply, value-added opportunities, wildfire resilience, and reinvestment in rural and First Nations communities.  

 

2. Invest in Prevention Through Stable, Long-Term Funding for Wildfire Resilience 

Provide reliable, multi-year provincial funding for proactive wildfire management, including wildfire risk reduction, resilience planning, and implementation in and around community forests. 

 

Community forests are proven local partners. Over the past decade, they have treated more than 9,000 hectares and invested $10.9 million of their own resources in wildfire-related initiatives, alongside significant external funding.  

 

The BC Community Forest Association is also calling for continued work to remove barriers to effective fuel management and strengthen the role community forests can play in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

 

COMMUNITY FORESTRY IS DELIVERING FOR B.C. 

Today, B.C. has: 

• 62 operating community forests 

• 2.31 million cubic metres in combined allowable annual cut 

• More than half held by First Nations or in partnership with First Nations 

• More than $129 million in economic activity generated by 37 reporting community forests in 2025. 

 

But the impact goes beyond the numbers. 

 

Community forests keep decision-making closer to home and forest revenues working locally. They can create opportunities for reconciliation by supporting First Nations participation in forest governance, long-term partnerships, and shared benefits from local forest management. Their long-term planning horizon also supports stewardship beyond short-term industry pressures. 

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR LOCAL CANDIDATES 

Ask candidates where they stand on community forestry. 

• Will you support expanding B.C.'s Community Forest Program while protecting the policies that keep existing community forests to viable? 

• Will you support stable, long-term provincial funding for proactive wildfire prevention and resilience? 

• What role do you see community forests playing in the future of forestry in British Columbia? 

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RESOURCES FOR BCCFA MEMBERS 

Help put community forestry on the election agenda. BC Community Forest Association members are encouraged to connect with candidates in their communities, attend all-candidates meetings, ask questions, and share examples of what community forestry is delivering locally.

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