B.C. making changes in forestry

A new plan for how to manage B.C.’s forests is on the way according to Premier David Eby.

Alongside Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston, Eby announced the province’s prioritizing of protecting key areas like clean water, and ecosystem health and wildlife over timber supply.

“Our forests are foundational to B.C. In collaboration with First Nations and industry, we are accelerating our actions to protect our oldest and rarest forests,” said Eby. “At the same time, we will support innovation in the forestry sector so our forests can deliver good, family-supporting jobs for generations to come.”

Eby says logging old growth forests in B.C. is currently at the lowest level on record, adding the province is deferring the logging of 2.1 million hectares of forests.

The announcement also includes an eight-point plan, featuring $25 million towards Forest Landscape Planning (FLP) tables geared towards improving old growth forest management. It features an additional financial commitment, with Eby and Ralston announcing $180 million towards the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. The fund is set to support mills in the province in a few areas to help in a transition away from processing old growth logs, this includes getting equipped to process smaller trees, and the production of higher value wood products.

“As we work to protect more old growth, we know we need to accelerate our efforts to build a stronger, more innovative forestry industry that better shares the benefits with workers and communities. Forestry is a foundation of B.C.’s economy,” said Ralston.

Ralston adds the province’s extra investment in mills is an essential part in pivoting towards creating more jobs from every tree, even smaller trees.

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A priority on timber in B.C. for decades means key areas have been neglected for some time according to a release from forestry and nature advocacy group Wildsight.

“The Province’s renewed commitment to the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review is encouraging, yet we have a long way to go to change a paradigm that has led to ecosystems and wildlife populations in peril across the province,” the release reads.

John Bergenske, Wildsight’s Conservation Director and a member of the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council, says he’s optimistic this could be a new beginning for forest management in the province.

“The time for change is now. Announced changes are going to take time, and the Province must act immediately to defer any further losses to old growth forests and follow through on its commitment to implementation of the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review,” he said.