+ Resource Reliance in Canada The Forestry Industry

+ The BC Forestry Industry What are some of the issues facing BC forests and resources in general?

+ Case Study Objectives By the end of this class you will: Be aware of the diversity and dynamics of BC’s forest ecosystems Understand the importance of conserving ecological, social & economic values Understand the principles of sustainable forest management Identify stakeholders and their importance to land use planning Understand the government’s role in sustainable forest management

+ Facts about BC’s Forests Forests cover about 60 million hectares of British Columbia True There are 20 different native tree species and diversity in the types of forests due to climate, latitude, natural disturbances, soils and terrain False, there are 40 native tree species There are 10 Biogeoclimatic forest zones in BC False, there are 14 forest zones Forests greater than 250 years old are Old Growth Forests Currently, BC has 22.6 million hectares of old growth forests True True or False?

+ More facts about BC’s forests BC’s forests are home to 500 species of plants, invertebrates, fungi and other organisms False, there are 1000 species 85 species, subspecies or populations have been identified as over populated. False, 85 species have been identified as “at risk” The Government has set aside more than one million hectares of forest as 1, 186 approved wildlife habitat areas. True and 6.2 million hectares have been set aside for mule deer, mountain goats and Stone sheep for winter habitats. True or False?

+ The Importance of Our Forests Categorize the importance of forests under the following headings: EconomicPoliticalSocialEnvironmental Products- paper, furniture, lumber Tourism Jobs Trade with China Part of ecosystem/hydra ulic system Strategic during times of war Part of Canada’s image Important agreements with US and Alberta

+ Who has interest in our forests? Who are the Stakeholders? Individuals Citizens of BC and Canada Citizens of other countries People who live in urban areas People who work in forest dependent communities People who work in the forestry industry People who use the forest for recreation People who make a living in and around the forest

+ Who has interest in our forests? Who are the Stakeholders? Groups Customers of timber products Environmentalists & NGOs First Nations groups Government officials who manage the forest Professionals who deliver forest stewardship

+ What is Sustainability? ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY

+ Defining Sustainability According to the Thomas Jefferson Sustainability Council: "Sustainability may be described as our responsibility to proceed in a way that will sustain life that will allow our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live comfortably in a friendly, clean, and healthy world that people: Take responsibility for life in all its forms as well as respect human work and aspirations Respect individual rights and community responsibilities; Recognize social, environmental, economic, and political systems to be inter-dependent; Weigh costs and benefits of decisions fully, including long-term costs and benefits to future generations; Acknowledge that resources are finite and that there are limits to growth; Assume control of their destinies; Recognize that our ability to see the needs of the future is limited, and any attempt to define sustainability should remain as open and flexible as possible." According to the Thomas Jefferson Sustainability Council: "Sustainability may be described as our responsibility to proceed in a way that will sustain life that will allow our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live comfortably in a friendly, clean, and healthy world that people: Take responsibility for life in all its forms as well as respect human work and aspirations Respect individual rights and community responsibilities; Recognize social, environmental, economic, and political systems to be inter-dependent; Weigh costs and benefits of decisions fully, including long-term costs and benefits to future generations; Acknowledge that resources are finite and that there are limits to growth; Assume control of their destinies; Recognize that our ability to see the needs of the future is limited, and any attempt to define sustainability should remain as open and flexible as possible."

+ Threats to Sustainability What are the possible economic, social, environmental and political threats to sustainability in terms of our resources?

+ Sustainable Forest Management What would sustainable forestry involve? Harvesting only as much wood as can be replaced by new growth A long term commitment as trees take many years to reach maturity Recognize sustainable forestry is complicated and it is impacted by changes to the physical geography Forestry affects other interests: mining, tourism, ranching, agriculture, recreation, heritage Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility Sustainability is influenced by politics Public perceptions influence views on sustainability Governments, industry and organizations have different views on sustainability

+ Conflicts arising in Sustainable Management Which interest groups may have conflicting ideas with each other on how our forests should be managed? How can these groups effectively use compromise to enable sustainable forest use?

+ Stakeholder Groups 1) Governments: local, provincial, federal, international 2) Government departments: forestry, environment, tourism, heritage, forest protection, wildlife, regional development, fisheries, agriculture 3) Independent officials and agencies: Chief Forester of BC, Forest Practices Board, land use planning committees 4) First Nations 5) Forest Companies 6) Professional & technological specialists in forestry, biology, engineering, hydrology etc.

+ Stakeholder Groups Local citizens who depend on the forest: ranchers, tourism operators, hunters, fishers, trappers, naturalists, forestry workers, hikers, campers, bikers, kayakers etc. Non Government Organizations e.g. Green Peace, David Suzuki Foundation, WWF, local conservation groups Other organizations e.g. ranchers associations, tourist board, heritage societies, recreational groups, fish & game clubs, residents associations. Third Party Certification Organizations e.g. Canadian Standards Association, Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forest Initiative