More than 90 per cent of the forest land in B.C. is owned by the public, yet most people are not aware of what is going on in our forests and how these forests are managed.
Concerns such as the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, wildfires, the impacts of climate change and a reduction in government funding have resulted in what some are calling a “crisis in our forests.”
B.C.’s forests are known for producing timber and creating jobs, and this industry has and will continue to be an important aspect of the B.C. economy.
In an effort to understand the issues and expectations surrounding forestry at a community level, a group of local forestry and environmental advocates have organized a community dialogue session that is part of a province-wide public conversation on B.C. forests.
The overall initiative is a grassroots process called “Healthy Forests Healthy Communities” (see www.bcforestconversation.com) and is focused on initiating a dialogue on forest management that will also be used to inform decision- makers and politicians on the expectation that the public has from our forests.
Sessions were held this spring in a few locations and have been well attended. Numerous additional sessions are planned across B.C. this fall.
Preliminary feedback from the spring sessions shows communities wanting to be more informed of and have more influence on forest land decisions. They also expect a sustainable and viable local forest-based industry/economy.
The Salmon Arm session is planned for Sept. 14, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30) at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort in Salmon Arm.
Organizers have asked those planning on attending to RSVP to HFHC_SA@gmail.com so that coffee and refreshments can be co-ordinated.