What is sustainable forestry?
Sustainable forestry maintains and enhances the long-term health of forest ecosystems for the benefit of all living things while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for present and future generations. In B.C., sustainable forest management decisions and activities are based on scientific research, rigorous planning processes and standards, as well as public consultation. B.C.’s strong system of forest laws, monitoring and enforcement ensures sustainable forest management across the province.
Facts about our forests
- Canada ranks as the third most forested country globally, with roughly 15% of its forests located in the province of British Columbia.
- The majority (95%) of B.C.’s forests are publicly owned and overseen by the provincial government, who reflect local and global sustainability priorities, new science and evolving public expectations. This includes strong efforts aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (external link).
- 42.7M hectares (73%) of B.C. forests are certified. This means an independent third party has assessed the sustainability and quality of the operation of a forest on whether it meets a specified set of standards.
- Wood-based products account for 20% of the province’s exports. This includes lumber, panels, engineered wood and mass timber, prefabricated buildings, millwork, cabinetry, furniture, pulp, paper and wood pellets.
How does B.C. practice sustainable forest management?
B.C. has some of the most comprehensive practices in the world, according to a comparative study (external link) by the University of British Columbia. Roughly 95 per cent of B.C. forests are publicly owned and governed by stringent laws and environmental regulations.
B.C. forest companies must consult British Columbians before any harvesting is approved by the government. In the province, a process called land use planning (external link) involves British Columbians in decisions that determine how public lands and forests will be used today and in the future.
This has resulted in full protection for 14.5 million hectares and brings the total amount of protected lands in British Columbia to over 15 per cent (external link), more than any other province in Canada. Additional measures include special ecosystem-based management (external link), biodiversity (external link) and protection for wildlife habitat and species at risk (external link).
Further, B.C. has one of the largest park systems in the world—its 1,035 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas cover over 14 million hectares. The province is using the latest science (external link) to reduce the impacts of climate change on our forests.
95%
of B.C. forests are publicly owned
73%
of B.C. forests are third-party certified
<1%
of B.C.’s publicly-owned forests harvested annually
250M+
seedlings planted annually
Learn about B.C.’s forest practices
B.C.’s diverse forest landscapes, and their proximity to communities, require forest management practices that uphold environmental, social and good governance principles. Forest industry and practices in British Columbia, Canada explores how B.C. is managing its forests to meet and exceed international standards.
Ensuring renewable harvest levels
0.29% per cent of B.C.’s publicly-owned forested land base is harvested annually. B.C.’s Chief Forester is required by law, at least every 10 years, to determine how much wood can be harvested from each of the province’s 71 management units (timber supply areas and tree farm licenses) through something called the timber supply review (external link). As an independent, statutory decision maker, the Chief Forester must consider a multitude of environmental, social and economic factors to ensure a balanced approach to harvesting while protecting other forest uses and benefits. Careful consideration is given to protecting wildlife and fish habitat, soils, water and recreational opportunities. A sustainable quota—the allowable annual cut (external link)—is determined and based on detailed technical analysis and public comment. Since 1987 the annual timber harvest volume in the province has been below the allowable annual cut.
In addition to natural regeneration, B.C.’s forests are manually replanted using a mixture of native species representative of and appropriate to each unique ecosystem. Planting monocultures is rare and only occurs if the harvested forest was single species, or it is expected that other species native to the surrounding site will seed naturally. Wildfires are also a major factor in naturally re-establishing certain tree species and forest types.
Photo credit: Nik West
Protecting old-growth forests, wildlife, biodiversity and recreational uses
The amount of recognized protected land in B.C. has more than doubled over the past two decades. In addition to fully protected lands, many areas in B.C. are under a special management regime, where other values such as wildlife habitat, biodiversity or recreation take precedence. This includes old-growth management, wildlife management and community watershed areas, along with cultural, recreational and scenic areas.
Forests cover over 60% of B.C.’s land base and contain the most ecological diversity of any region in Canada. Government, First Nations and industry are working together to manage these forests to achieve multiple environmental, social and economic benefits on behalf of local communities. Collaborative processes such as Forest Landscape Planning (external link) (FLP) set objectives for how forests will be used for water, wildlife, timber, recreation and cultural practices. Policies and legislative tools aim to keep forests resilient, healthy, productive and adaptable to everchanging climatic conditions.
Old growth forests are ecologically important: they support a diverse range of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. They contribute to biodiversity, water stewardship, carbon storage and ecosystem resilience through their intricate habitats, effective water management and long-term carbon accumulation. They also hold significance to First Nations and the public for biological, spiritual, aesthetic, economic and cultural values.
As such, most of the old-growth forests in B.C.—more than 9 million hectares—is already protected or not economical to harvest. The B.C. government and First Nations are jointly working to protect additional old-growth forests which are at most risk of biodiversity loss, based on the current mapping and data available.
Photo credit: Diego Sanchez
Is there deforestation in B.C.?
B.C. has roughly the same amount of forested area as it did before European settlement—Only three per cent of B.C.’s land has been permanently converted to other uses such as farming, ranching and urban development. This makes it one of the few regions in the world with no significant deforestation. When compared to seven other forest jurisdictions around the world, B.C. has one of the highest percentages of total land covered with forests, second only to Japan. And B.C.’s forest cover has remained stable over the past few decades at around 58 million hectares, with one of the lowest deforestation rates among all jurisdictions.
When it comes to logging, the province maintains a quota on how many trees can be cut each year to ensure they are harvested at sustainable levels. By law, B.C. forests are reforested promptly using a mix of native tree species. By planting native tree species in combination with natural regeneration, and managing for the flora and fauna indigenous to the region, B.C. protects the province’s vital ecosystems and biodiversity.
How are sustainable forest practices enforced in B.C.?
The Forest & Range Practices Act (external link) (FRPA) sets out the mandatory forest practices and resource-based activities. Natural Resource Officers (external link) enforce a range of laws including the protection of water, wildlife, ecosystems, biodiversity and cultural uses. The province issues penalties for offences such as illegal logging, damaging the environment or failing to reforest a site. In addition to FRPA, abidance to laws protecting drinking water, wildlife and Indigenous heritage are also enforced. An independent watchdog, the Forest Practices Board, audits practices and government enforcement to ensure companies comply with laws and regulations.
Photo credit: Nik West
How technology is transforming B.C.'s forest sector
From high-tech drones to lasers in the forest, B.C. is using next-generation technology to protect wildlife, improve sustainable practices and safeguard the future well-being of the Province’s forests. Today, foresters are capturing high-resolution aerial imagery of B.C.’s forests using drones. And light detection and ranging (LiDAR)—best described as airborne laser scanning—is now used to examine the height and diameter of trees, explore the forest terrain and more accurately estimate forest inventories. All of this technology is helping B.C. optimize sustainable management plans and keep forests healthy in the face of a changing climate.
Photo credit: Ainsworth Communications
How does B.C. forest management stack up globally?
In B.C., legally sourced products are supported through the Province’s multi-faceted sustainable forest management approach which includes stringent laws, skilled forestry professionals, comprehensive monitoring, compliance and enforcement. In comparing B.C. to the world, one study found the Province has one of the world’s most comprehensive legal frameworks and is a leader in third-party forest certification. The study, which examined forest legislation and certification standards in 14 international jurisdictions, showed that B.C.’s laws and legislation cover all of the 16 elements of sustainable forest management that are generally part of voluntary certification standards. A second study compared B.C. with seven of the same jurisdictions and found B.C.’s forest management and conservation regime is one of the most advanced in the world.
Added assurance through forest certification
Along with strong legal protection for its forests, the province has one of the highest rates of third-party forest certification in the world. Nine per cent of the world’s certified forests are found in B.C. Third-party forest management certification complements and further verifies B.C.’s already comprehensive and rigorous forest management laws and regulations. It provides added assurance that B.C. companies are operating legally, sustainably and in compliance with world-recognized sustainable forest management standards.
Photo credit: Michael Bednar
