Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation ... · Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation Stakeholder Workshop Meeting Notes January 30 – 31, 2019 February

ImprovingWildlifeManagementandHabitatConservation

StakeholderWorkshop

MeetingNotes

January30–31,2019

February27,2019

IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 2

TableofContentsIntroduction...................................................................................................................................4

Results............................................................................................................................................5

Funding.......................................................................................................................................51.Attributesofgoodfundingpolicy.......................................................................................52.Raisingadditionalfunds.....................................................................................................53.Fundallocationandmanagement......................................................................................6

WildlifePlanningandObjectives................................................................................................8KeyProblemIdentified...........................................................................................................8ConsiderationsforaPlanningandObjective-settingProcess................................................8PlanningConsiderations.........................................................................................................9PossibleStrategies..................................................................................................................9

Data,InformationandKnowledge...........................................................................................101.PublishannualreportonstateofwildlifeinBC...............................................................102.ExpandandpromoteuseofCitizenScienceforgatheringwildlifeandhabitatdata.......103.Makedataandinformationapriorityforongoingsupportivefunding...........................104.Developcentralizedaccesstoonlinedatabasesofdataandinformation.......................105.Fosterpartneringtocollectandsharedatabetweendifferentorganizationsandagencies................................................................................................................................106.Developadatamanagementpolicytostreamlinetheprocess.......................................10

DecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitat................................................................................111.Anoverarchingprovincialwildlifeandhabitatstrategywithaclearvisionandgoals.....112.Visionandgoalsmustbelinkedtolegalobjectives/targets............................................113.Decisionsaroundgoals,objectivesandtargetsshouldbetransparent...........................114.ConsideraprovinciallevelWildlifeBoardandaChiefBiologisttomakeoverarchingwildlifeandhabitatdecisions...............................................................................................115.Regionaldecisionmakingcouldoccurinlinewiththeregionalroundtableapproach....127.Alignandapplyauniformapproachacrossthemanyregulationstoensurethatactivitiesmustconsiderwildlifeandhabitatobjectives......................................................................13

StakeholderEngagement.........................................................................................................141.Minister’sAdvisoryCouncil..............................................................................................142.RegionalAdvisoryCommittees.........................................................................................143.ManagementPlanningEngagement................................................................................144.Comprehensivelistofstakeholder/publicemails..........................................................155.Co-ordinateengagement.................................................................................................156.ImproveEngageBC...........................................................................................................167.ImproveCommunications................................................................................................168.Generalengagement........................................................................................................179.Ensuregovernmentaccountableonalldecisions............................................................17

WildlifeHabitatManagement..................................................................................................18KeyProblemsIdentified.......................................................................................................18StrategicOptions..................................................................................................................18


TacticalandOperationalOptions.........................................................................................19AchievingDesiredOutcomes...................................................................................................201.MeasuringOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandPrograms.............................202.ReportingOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandPrograms..............................213.TrackingExpendituresonWildlifeandHabitat................................................................214.OverallProgramEvaluation–arecombinedeffortshavingdesiredendresults?...........21

EvaluationoftheWorkshop.....................................................................................................23Nextsteps.....................................................................................................................................24

Summaryoftheworkshop.......................................................................................................24WorkingGroupWebinars.........................................................................................................24PolicyIntentionsPaper.............................................................................................................24

Appendices...................................................................................................................................25

AppendixA WorkshopAttendees........................................................................................25AppendixB Agenda..............................................................................................................28AppendixC Presentations....................................................................................................30


Introduction

TheMinistryofForests,Lands,NaturalResourceOperationsandRuralDevelopmentisengagingwithstakeholders,IndigenousgroupsandthepublicinaprojectknownasImprovingWildlifeManagementandHabitatConservation.PhaseOneengagementtookplacein2018andincludedface-to-facediscussionsandonlineengagement.PhaseTwoengagement(December2018–May2019)isdesignedtohostmoredetaileddiscussionswithstakeholdersfromarangeofsectorstodeveloppolicyoptionsforthegovernmenttoconsider.ThisincludedanintroductorywebinaronDecember10,2018,followedbyatwo-dayworkshoponJanuary30–31,2019andwillincludeaseriesoftopic-specificWorkingGroupWebinars.ThisreportdocumentstheresultoftheJanuary2019stakeholderworkshop.Thegoalsoftheworkshopwere:

1. Toprovideanopportunityforprovincialstakeholderstomeetface-to-faceandsharetheirperspectivesonwildlifemanagementandhabitatconservationinBritishColumbia

2. Toprovidetimeforparticipantstohavein-depthdiscussionsaboutpolicyareasofinteresttothem

3. TobegintodeveloppolicyoptionsfortheProvincetoconsider

4. TolaythegroundworkforfurtherengagementanddiscussionthroughWorkingGroupWebinars,andidentifyparticipantswishingtoparticipateinthesediscussions

Theworkshopwasbyinvitation.Onepersonfromeachorganizationwasinvitedandorganizationsmetthefollowingcriteria:

• Provincialinscopeandperspective(notregionalorplace-based)

• Demonstratedinterestinprovincialwildlifeandhabitatpolicyissues

• Fallintooneofeightidentifiedstakeholdersectors—AcademiaandResearch;Agriculture;EnergyandMining;ENGOs,ConservationandWildlife;Forestry;HabitatConservationandLandTrusts;Hunters,TrappersandGuides;TourismandRecreation

GroupsattendingtheworkshoparelistedinAppendixA.Theagendaforthemeeting(AppendixB)wasdesignedtohavemulti-stakeholderconversationsonsevenpolicythemesthathaveemergedinthepreviousconsultationprocesses.PresentationsusedintheworkshopareinAppendixC.Asummaryoftheresultsofthestakeholderconversationsarepresentedbelow.


Results

Note:ThedocumentrecordstheviewsandideasexpressedbyawiderangeofstakeholdersandshouldnotbeviewedasconsensusrecommendationsbythosestakeholdersoractionsnecessarilysupportedbytheProvince.Duringtheworkshop,facilitatorspresentedaselectionofkeyideasandpolicyoptionsthatemergedfromeachofthepolicythemebreakouts(SeepresentationinAppendixC).ThefollowingsectionsexpandontheideasandoptionsdiscussedtoincorporatefurtherinformationthatwasdocumentedinthenotesfromtheOneBigIdeaandplenarysessions,theOpenSpacesessions,andontheflipcharts.

FundingThefundingdiscussionsaimedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:

• Whataretheattributesofagoodfundingpolicy?

• Arethereoptionstodiversifyfundingsourcesandcreateadditionalfundingforwildlifeandhabitat?

• Whoshouldmakedecisionsonallocatingfunds?Howdoweensureaccountabilityandtransparency?

Ofthemanyideasbroughttothetablebytheworkshopparticipants,theonesthatappearedtohavegroupsupportforfurtherdiscussionwereasfollows.

1.Attributesofgoodfundingpolicy

• Everyonebenefits,soeveryoneshouldcontribute.Thisprinciplewasdiscussedintwoways:

§ AllBritishColumbians(includingurbandwellers)benefitfromwildlifeandhabitat,soallshouldcontributetofundingthis

§ Alllanduserscontributetoimpactsonwildlifeandhabitat,soalllandusersshouldbecontributingtomanagementandrestorationcosts.

• Administrationcostsmustbereasonable.Someoftheideasdiscussedcouldhaveahighcostofadministrationinrelationtothefundsraised.Itisbettertopursueoneortwoideasforraisingadditionalfunds,ratherthantryingtodomanysmalleroptions.

2.RaisingadditionalfundsPrinciplesraised:

• Foralloptionsinvolvingraisinganddedicatingfundsforwildlifeandhabitat,itwillbeimportanttoengagethepublic.Wewillneedtoclearlydemonstratetheneedforfunding,thewaysinwhichfundsaretobeused,andtopresentacompellingstory.Usingtheterm“naturetax”couldcreatesupport.

• Foralloptions,fundsraisedshouldbeplacedinadedicatedfundforthesupportof


wildlifeandhabitat.

• Anoptionforraisingadditionalfundsistoreallocateexistingfunds:movingfundsawayfromcrisismanagementandtowardspreventativeapproaches.

Optionsforraisingadditionalfundsraisedbysomestakeholders:

1. Allocate100%ofthelicencefeesfromhuntingandtrappingtothededicatedfund(notjustthesurtax).Participantssuggestedthatthisoptionwouldmeetbroadapprovalandcouldhappenquickly.

2. Increasetheprovincialsalestaxby0.125%(orsimilarsmallincrease),withtheincreasedrevenuetothededicatedfund.Thiswasseenasconsistentwiththeprinciplethat“everyonebenefits,soeveryoneshouldpay”.Itwasrecognizedthatthisisabigpoliticalask,andwouldneed(atveryleast)lettersofsupportfromallparticipatingstakeholdergroupstodemonstratebroadsupport.

3. Imposeaconsumptiontaxonoutdoorequipmentandoutdooractivities.Imposeaconsumptiontaxonoutdoorequipmentandoutdooractivities.Anexampleistheeck-tourismtaxcurrentlyunderconsiderationinTofino,andtheindustryfeesforcommercialgrizzlybearviewingthatsupportbearmanagement.

4. Impose(orexpand)taxonlandusesthatimpacthabitat(includingforestry,mining,tourism,oilandgas).Thiscouldincludeincreased(orredirected)stumpagefees.

5. Wherefinesareleviedforwildlifeinfractions,therevenueshouldgotothededicatedfund,ordirect-awardedtostewardshiporganizations(atthejudge’sdiscretion).

6. Createanexcisetaxonoutdoorequipment(similartothePittman-RobertsonActintheUnitedStates)

7. Createanendowmentfundtofundresearch,conservation,restorationandmonitoring(atleast$100m).

8. Levyaparceltax,agasolinetax,orrealestatetax.

3.FundallocationandmanagementPrinciplesraised:

• Themethodofallocatingfundsmustbetransparentandaccountable,andwillbesubjecttofreedomofinformationrequests.

• FirstNationsmustbeincludedinallocations,intheirroleaswildlifeandhabitatmanagers

• Thosewhocontributefundsshouldhaveasayinhowtheyareallocated;thosewhocontributefundsshouldgetclearinformationonhowthosefundswerespent

• Takeadvantageofopportunitiesforusingfundstoleveragemore$$


• Takeadvantageofopportunitiesforsharedbenefit–e.g.,researchthatcanbenefitindustryandgovernment

• Createopportunityformulti-yearfundingofprojects

• Avoidsituationswheregovernmentiscompetingwithothersforavailablefunding

Options:

• Createadedicatedfundforwildlifeandhabitat.Thiscouldbehoused:

§ Withingovernment,makingforincreasedaccountability

§ Outsidegovernment,meaningthatitislesssubjecttoeffectsofchanginggovernments

§ Someformofhybridmodel

• Createanindependentinstitutionwiththeauthoritytoconductresearchandotherprograms;providetheinstitutionwithsignificantfunding(similartoPacificInstituteforClimateSolutions)

• Anadvisoryboard(orsimilarbody)shouldbecreatedtomakedecisionsonfundingallocationsfromthededicatedfund.Thisboardshouldincluderepresentationfromgovernment,industry,scientists,practitioners,andpeoplewithlocal/regionalknowledge.

• Thefindcouldhavedifferentstreamsoffunding,e.g.,forresearch,inventory,administrativecosts…

• Apilotprojectcouldbesetupinoneregiontotesttheadvisoryboardapproach(e.g.,northeastBC).

• Considerincentivebasedoptionssuchasreverseauctions

Fundingpriorities

Althoughthiswasnotdiscussedindetail,suggestionsforfundingprioritiesincluded:

• Conservationplans

• Education(preventionofwildlife-humanconflicts)

• Moreconservationofficers


WildlifePlanningandObjectives

KeyProblemIdentifiedLackofclearandenforceableobjectivesidentifiedasthekeyproblem:

• Withoutobjectivesmanagementisreactive,uncoordinatedandadversarial• Withoutobjectives,thereislittlepointinmonitoringbecausewedon’tknowwhatwe

aretryingtoachieve

ConsiderationsforaPlanningandObjective-settingProcessTheoverallprocessproposedforwildlifeplanningandobjectives:

1. Developa“populationobjectivespolicyframework”thatwouldlayouttheprinciplesandproceduresfordetermininghowwildlifeobjectivesareset

• Therearedifferenttheoreticalapproachesorprinciplestosettingobjectives.Weneedtodecideononeorasetofapproaches:

i. Carryingcapacityofhabitats

ii. Cost-benefitanalysisthatoptimizesvaluesandmanagementinvestments

iii. Managingtosustenanceandrecreationaldemand

iv. Managingforecosystemresilienceinthefaceofclimatechangeandotherstressors(i.e.,ahabitatemphasis)

2. Setpreliminarywildlifeobjectives:

• Otherjurisdictionsdoit–how?

• MakethemlegaloratleastequivalenttootherobjectivesconsideredbyStatutoryDecisionMakerswhenmakinglandusedecisions.“Consideration”isoftentrumpedbyotherlegalrequirements

• Needtobeflexibleandadjustaswelearn–wewon’tgetitrightthefirsttimebutwehavetostartsomewhere

• Can’tdoitforallspecies,butneedtoaddressconsumptiveneedsand“umbrella”and“indicator”species

• Needtohavesufficientdatatoevenstartsettingobjectives

3. Sethabitatobjectivestosupportwildlifeobjectives:

• Iterativeprocesswithfullsocio-economicimpactanalysis–areourobjectivesfeasible?Aretheydesirablegiventhetrade-offs?

• Objectivesneedtobeconsistentlyappliedtoalllandusers–currentapproach“silos”differentactivitiesandappliesdifferentrules


4. Monitor:

• Needsufficientmonitoringefforttoknowwhetherourobjectivesarebeingachieved,andifnot,whynot

PlanningConsiderationsHowobjectivesshouldbeset:

• Provincial-scaleboardcouldsetstrategicdirectionandmonitoroutcomes,makerecommendationstogovernmentregardingrequiredchanges

• Regionalboardswithinputfromexperts(biologists,knowledgeholders),stakeholders,Indigenouscommunities,implementprovincialdirectionbasedonregionalcircumstances

• Therearealreadyboardsoperatinginsomeregionsthatworkinasimilarmannertothis

PossibleStrategiesToachieveobjectives:

• Developmethodstovaluewildlife–rightnowit’slargely“free”andthereforetherearenoeconomicincentivetoconserve/manage;everythingisbasedonlimitsandallocationsandlimitedbudgets

• Developaprovincial-scaleapproachtomanagingwildlifeconflicts,particularlyinurbanareas–thisisanincreasingconcernanddevolvingtomunicipalitiesisinadequate


Data,InformationandKnowledge

1.PublishannualreportonstateofwildlifeinBC• Varyinglevelsofdetail• Usebestavailabledata

o Science(includingCitizen)o Localknowledgeo TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge

2.ExpandandpromoteuseofCitizenScienceforgatheringwildlifeandhabitatdata• Useexistingtools–alloftheseareestablishedandinusebutareunder-utilized

o RoadWatchBCo WildCam–Networkofremotecamerastocollectdata;greatopportunityfor

partnerships;publiceducationandengagemento MooseTrackerApp

3.Makedataandinformationapriorityforongoingsupportivefunding

4.Developcentralizedaccesstoonlinedatabasesofdataandinformation• Publiclyaccessible• Includeannualsummaryoftrends• Identifygapsininformationandresearch• Createopportunitiesforcollaboration• ConservationDataCentre,SpeciesInventoryDatabase

5.Fosterpartneringtocollectandsharedatabetweendifferentorganizationsandagencies• Governments,universities,industries,FirstNations

6.Developadatamanagementpolicytostreamlinetheprocess• Identification,collection,analysis,sharing


DecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitatTheDecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitatdiscussionaimedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:

• Howcanwedevelopanimproveddecisionmakingmodelforwildlifeandhabitat?

• Arewildlifeandhabitatappropriatelyconsideredinthecurrentdecisionmakingapproach?

• Aretheregapsinthelegislative/regulatory/policyframework?

• Howcouldtheframeworkfordifferentsectorsbebetteraligned/howcouldspecificactivitiesorsectorsbetterconsiderwildlifeandhabitat?

• HowcanIndigenousknowledge,citizenscienceandothersourcesofevidencebeincorporatedtosupportimproveddecisionmaking?

Manyideaswerebroughtforwardbyworkshopparticipants,severalofwhichappearedtohavebroadsupportforfurtherdiscussion.Theseideasarediscussedinmoredetailbelowbutincludetheneedforaprovincialwildlifeandhabitatstrategy,thedevelopmentofregionaldecisionmakingbodiesthatsupportandrespondtothatoverarchingstrategy,andtheneedtoalignandapplythestatutoryframeworktobetterimprovewildlifeandhabitatoutcomes.

TheoverallsentimentwasthatifwecanidentifyanewmodelfordecisionmakingthatinvolvesbothregionaldecisionmakingandFirstNationsco-management,we’dhavecomealongwayfromwherewearenow.

1.Anoverarchingprovincialwildlifeandhabitatstrategywithaclearvisionandgoals

2.Visionandgoalsmustbelinkedtolegalobjectives/targets• Theselegalobjectives/targetsmustbebasedonthefollowingprinciples:

o Sciencebaseddata,includingsupplyandpopulationassessmentso Regionalandlandscapelevelinputo Cumulativeeffectso Socialvalueso Economicso Ecosystem-basedmanagemento Monitoringdata,andsubsequenttransparentadjustments

3.Decisionsaroundgoals,objectivesandtargetsshouldbetransparent

• Therationalebehinddecisionsandtrade-offconsiderationsmustbeclearlydocumentedandexplained

• Basedecisionsonscience,notpolitics,andconsideridentifiedsharedvalues

4.ConsideraprovinciallevelWildlifeBoardandaChiefBiologisttomakeoverarchingwildlifeandhabitatdecisions


5.Regionaldecisionmakingcouldoccurinlinewiththeregionalroundtableapproach

Considerationsinclude:

• Determinethebestroleandresponsibilities–Strategic/advisory?Decisionmakingpowers?

o Helpset/informtheprovinciallevelobjectives,goals,targetsthroughregionalknowledgeandinterests/objectives

o Dotheylookatthescience,objectivesandrecommendationsbytheProvinceanddecidehowtooperationalizeit;ordoestheProvinceprovidetheobjectivesandtheoperationaldirectiontotheregionalroundtables?Ifthelatter,whatistheroleoftheroundtables?

• MustincludeFirstNationsandstakeholdersfromacrossmanysectors(FirstNationsatanationlevel,FLNRORDresourcemanagementstaff,licensees,GOABC,BCWF,trappers,independentguides,tourism/recreation,ranchers,industry,ENGOs,forestryetc.)

o FirstNationsinfusioncanaddthenewestideas.Wemustincludethemattheregionallevel,andthesemustbeprofessionallyfacilitated

o IncorporateFirstNationsknowledgeandhistory,considerhowbesttoincorporateUNDRIPattheverybeginningofthiswork

o Desiretoseemoreco/shared/jointmanagementopportunitieswithFirstNations–thereISanappetitenowforthis!Peopleareataplacerightnowtohavethiskindofstructureanditcouldreallycreatebuy-in

• Localco-managementmodelsexistbuthowcantheybeeffectivewithoutanoverallprovincialstrategy?Buildonexistingexamples–moosesolutionsinChilcotin;Yukonapproachwheretheymakesureallpartiesareatthetable,includingFirstNations;expandedversionofMountainCaribouProgressBoard

o Concernre:greatexpenseofYukonmodel,andamountoffundsthatgotopeoplemanagementratherthanactualwildlifeorhabitatmanagement

o ExpandtheMountainCaribouProgressBoardmodelfurthersoitismoreinfluential,withsub-committees(ithassevenclearobjectivesandeveryyeartheyreporttotheMinisteronwheretheyarewiththoseobjectives)

• Two-waycommunicationwiththeProvincialWildlifeBoard(orsimilar)iscritical

• Howbesttofundtheseregionalroundtables?

• Musthaveprofessionalguidance(RPBios)toensurelocaldecisionsareappropriateforthelargerscaleorspeciesview

• Mustbeprofessionallyfacilitated

• Considergreaterpublicengagement,moreregionalworkshops,involvementofFirst


Nationsandlocalgovernments

7.Alignandapplyauniformapproachacrossthemanyregulationstoensurethatactivitiesmustconsiderwildlifeandhabitatobjectives

Considerationsinclude:

• Considerwildlifeandhabitatobjectivestogethertomakethemmeaningful

• Useoftheterm‘consider’perceivedastoovague,nothighlightingthecrisis,prefermorecleardirectionandterminology

• DecisionmakersforALLnaturalresourceactivitiesmustaddresswildlifeandhabitatobjectivesviaanomnibuslegislation–EnvironmentLandUseAct?

• Considerupdatestothefollowinglegislation,amongothers

o ForestandRangePracticesAct(e.g.,herbicideapplication,access)

o MigratoryBirdsConventionAct(e.g.,timingwindows,speciesbased,requiringsurveys)

• Enforcementofexistingregulationsandlegislation

• Ensureobjectivesapplyonparklandsaswellasothercrownlands,andmakeimprovementstoParkActsothereismoreactivemanagement

• Needformonitoringagainstsetobjectives

• Successmeansthatobjectivesarebeingmet


StakeholderEngagement

1.Minister’sAdvisoryCouncil

• Province-wide

• Broadsectoralrepresentation–consumptiveandnon-consumptivestakeholdergroups(similarsectorstoIWMHC)

• Highlevel;directlyreportingtoMinister

• Needforcommunicationstoothergroupsandindividuals

• TermsofReferenceneedtobecarefullycrafted

• ExcellentexampleintheMinister’sTourismCouncil

o Meetsquarterly

o Chairandvice-chairmeetmonthlywithMinister

o Staggeredappointmentsforcontinuity

o Sub-committeestodealwithissuesinmoredepth

o Helpinformtourismstrategy

• ThiscommitteecouldreplaceorcomplementPHTAT(ProvincialHuntingandTrappingAdvisoryTeam,whichconsistsofBCTrappersAssociation,BCWildlifeFederation,GuideOutfittersAssociationofBC,UnitedBowhuntersofBC,WildlifeStewardshipCouncil,WildSheepSocietyofBC)

• OritcouldbeaseparatecommitteebecausePHTATismainlyconcernedwithhunting,trappingandguidingregulationsandlegislation

2.RegionalAdvisoryCommittees

• TherearesomeregionalPHTAT-typegroupsandalsosomespecies-specificgroupsmeeting,butnotconsistentacrossregions

• Broadsectoralparticipation

• CouldbuildonexistingregionalPHTATs

• Termsofreferencecritical

o Roles

o Rotatingmembership

o Representativeness—representingasectororrepresentativeofasector

3.ManagementPlanningEngagement• Tobedetermined• Engagementformanagementplansofindividualspecies,multiplespecies,specific

geographicalareas


4.Comprehensivelistofstakeholder/publicemails

• Fundamentallyimportantstep;keystrategytoreachpeopleallovertheprovince

• Stakeholderorganizationscouldpassoninformationtotheirmailinglists

• Letpublicandstakeholdersknowaboutimportantinformationandengagementopportunities

o Managementplansforindividualspecies,multiplespecies

o Regulationandlegislationchanges

o Policyadvice

o Huntingclosures

o Monitoringandsurveyinformation

o Enforcementbulletins

o CouldincludenewsreleasesandInformationBulletins

• Howto“gather”contacts

o Sign-uponEngageBC;chooseareasorinitiativesofinterest

o Useexistingmailings(huntinglicences,guidingpermits,provincialtaxes,etc.)toletpeopleknowthatiftheywantinformationoncertainareas,theywillneedtosign-upforthat

o Invitepeoplefromwebsites(Provincealreadycollectsnamesandemailaddressesforpeopleinterestedinnewsreleasesofspecifictopics;coulddothesamesortofthingonEngageBC

• Privacyconcerns

o Clearcommunicationsonwhycontactinformationisbeingcollectedandhowitwillbeused

o Peoplewillneedtoperiodicallyreaffirmtheirinterestincontinuingtoreceivecorrespondenceandnotifications

5.Co-ordinateengagement

• Toomanydifferentengagementinitiativesgoingonatonetime

• Manystakeholdersfeelingburnoutandoverwhelmed

• Bundlinginitiativesisgreat,suchaswasdoneinthisprojectinApril2018(SpeciesatRisk,WildlifeandHabitatManagement,andCaribouRecovery)

• DifferentpartsofMinistryneedtoco-ordinatetheirengagementactivities

• Needroad-mapofallthedifferentengagements,wheretheyaregoingandkeymilestonedates


6.ImproveEngageBC

• Continueallowingpeopletoseewhatothersaresaying—submissions,emails,reports—asthatisveryuseful

• LotsofthingsgetpostedonEngageBCbutoftenpeoplearenotnotifiedabouttheprocess(linkto4and7)

• Needforfollow-upreportsandsummaries(thisprojectisanexception)

• Wouldlikepersonalresponsestopeople;usuallyjustgetanautomatic,electronicresponse

• Simpler,shorterandclearercommunications

o Mostpeople,especiallyyouthdonothavelongattentionspans

o Useshortvideos

o Startwithshort,simpleinformationandallowuserto“digdown”or“click”tomoredetailedinformation;“layered”approachtoinformation

• Make“blog”postsmorepositive;trytocurtailthelongand“mean”postsby“keyboardwarriors”

o Moderatethelist?

o Restructurethelist?

• NeedforademographicstudyofEngageBCusers—Whousesit?

o Helptobetterunderstandresponsesandbettercommunicatewithpublicandstakeholders

7.ImproveCommunications

• Communicationsplan–differentapproachestoreachpeoplefromdifferentsectorsanddifferentgeographicalareas

• Designandimplementasocialmediapolicy

o Broaderdemographic,especiallyyouth

o Needdedicatedcommunicationsspecialiststomanageit(goodexampleatMinistryofTransportationandInfrastructure)

• Meetingchallengesinruralareas

• Improveonlinegovernmentdirectory

o Oftenaveryimportantengagementapproach—one-to-oneinteractionswithstaff

• Tellstoriesaboutwhatisgoingon(adayinalifeofaprovincialbiologist)ratherthan“dry”InformationBulletins


8.Generalengagement

• Engageearlywithstakeholders,nothalfwaythroughtheprocess

• Youth(18–28)notwellservedbyengagementprocesses

• Notallprocessesneedtohaveengagement

9.Ensuregovernmentaccountableonalldecisions

• Whatweheard

• Whatwedidaboutit

• Why(“justletusknowwhyyoudidwhatyoudid”)


WildlifeHabitatManagement

KeyProblemsIdentifiedAnover-archingthemetothehabitatmanagementdiscussionwasaproposedshifttowardsmanagingtoresiliencetoaddressthefollowingissues:

• Theneedtomoveawayfromareactivemodel(“managementbycrisis”)toaproactiveapproachdrivenbyahigh-levelvisionandclearobjectives

• Addressclimatechangeimpacts,particularlyincreasingincidenceofwildfireandshiftsinspeciesandecosystemdistributions

• Copewithincreasingdemandforservicesoffalimitedlandbasebyagrowinghumanpopulation

Specificconcernsrelatedtothecurrentlegalandpolicyregimeinclude:

• Lackofgovernmentstaffingandpowerstoinfluenceoperational-scaledecision-making

• ForestStewardshipPlansthataretacticalinnatureandprovidenomechanismforprovidinginputsonoperationalplanning

• Lackoflandscapeunitplanning

• Insufficientmonitoringtodeterminewhetheroutdesignationsorpracticesareeffective

• Ad-hocreservedesign:lackofconnectivity,either“notouch”or“fulldevelopment”landmanagementcreatesanineffectivepatchwork

• Lackofaccessmanagement

• Needregulatoryalignmentforthedifferentsectors–currentlegalframeworkcandisallowactivitiesinanareabyoneindustrybutallowthesameactivitybyanother

StrategicOptionsManagingtoresiliencerequiresthedevelopmentofanewmanagementregimethatisbasedononeormorepossiblehigh-levelapproaches,suchas:

• Ecosystem-basedmanagement(maintainingaproportionofuniqueecosystemsinastateconsistentwithnaturaldisturbanceassumptions)

• Ecosystemservices(e.g.,water,fibre,domesticforage,spiritual,recreation,tourism,mineral,wildlife)

• Managingto“abundance”

Partofthenewmanagementregimeshouldbeclearandenforceableobjectivesthataregivenanequalfootingtolegalconsiderationsforstatutorydecision-makers.“Consideration”inlandmanagementdecisionsisfailing.


Thereisarecognitionthatgeneratingrevenuefromthelandbaseisimportanttocommunitiesandforfundingbroadergovernmentservices:

• Thereisanobvioustrade-offwithmorehabitatprotectionormorerestrictiveindustrialpracticestoachievewildlifehabitatobjectives

• Needtooptimizethevaluewegetfromthelandbase:

o Fibreutilization

o Rawlogprocessing

o Forageproductionfordomesticstockandwildlife

o Returntothecrownfornon-timbervalues(e.g.,mushrooms)

o Includingprivateproperty/largelandholdersinhabitatmanagement,providingtherightincentivesandcompensatingwhererequired

TacticalandOperationalOptionsIncreasingthelevelofoperation-scalemanagementwasseenasanecessity:

• Havebiologiststalkingtooperationalforestersandotherstofindcreativesolutions

• LeveragetheknowledgeofIndigenouscommunities,privatelandownersandotherswholiveandworkinourecosystems

Planningalsorequiredatsub-regionalscales:

• Movetoamoredeliberatelandscapedesign

• Increasetheuseofmulti-stakeholderandFirstNationsplanningtablesforsub-regionalprocesses

• Planningandrestorationinresponsetowildfires

• Landscapeunitplanningtofillagapinthemulti-scalelanduseplanning


AchievingDesiredOutcomesTheAchievingDesiredOutcomesdiscussionsaimedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:

• Howarewemeasuringandreportingoutcomes–howcanweimprovepublicconfidence?

• Howarewetrackingexpenditures?

• Howareweevaluatingsuccessoftheprogramonthewhole?

Ofthemanyideasbroughttothetablebytheworkshopparticipants,theonesthatappearedtohavegroupsupportforfurtherdiscussionwereasfollows.

1.MeasuringOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandProgramsPrinciplesproposed:

• Definethedesiredoutcomes:havekeyperformanceindicators(KPIs)thataremeasurable,transparentandavailabletoall

• Fixthemodelratherthanjustmakingincrementalimprovements

• Considercumulativeimpacts

• Considerbroaderimpacts,includingclimatechange

• Learnfromthebestpracticesofotherjurisdictions,e.g.,Alberta’sbiodiversitymonitoring

Considerationsformeasuringoutcomes:

1. Developcriteriabywhichoutcomesaredescribed:assessment(whatarewedoing)andthenevaluation(wereobjectivesmet).

2. Focusonsystematicmonitoring.Thisshould:

a. Beprovincial-scale,buttakearegionalapproachwithinthatprovincialframework

b. Bemulti-yeartoshowthetrendsovertimeandscale

c. Bebasedonasmallnumberofindicatorspecies(focusspecies)thatwillprovideinformationonoverallecosystemhealth(whilerecognizingthatthiswillnotprovidecertaintyforallspecies)

d. Measureintactnessofecosystems(similartoAlbertamodel);andconsiderhowmuchintactnesscanchangebeforethereissignificantimpactonecosystemfunction

e. Measurecumulativeimpacts,notjustsiloedinformation

f. Includeeffectivenessmonitoring(e.g.,isprotectingthehabitatandfoodsources


isachievingpopulationtargets,arethe$$spentachievingthedesiredoutcomes)

3. Createacommondatasettoimproveintegrateddecisionmaking

4. Provideadequateresourcingformonitoring.Identifywhatisrequiredandthenfindthefunding(asopposedtodoingwhatyoucanwithintheavailablefunding).

2.ReportingOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandProgramsConsiderationsforreporting:

1. Haveannualreportingthatispreparedandreviewedbyanindependentgroup,toensurefairandbalancedreporting.Thisreportingshouldrecommendactionsforchangeandimprovement.

2. Includeinformationthatindustryisalreadycollecting;reportonindustryoutcomesaswellasgovernment.

3. Useannualreportingasanopportunityforeducation.Makeeveryone(i.e.public,industry,government,NGO’s)awareofhowimportantthehealthofwildlifeis,andbeclearaboutwhatwillhappenifwedonotachieveintendedoutcomes.

4. Haveapubliclyaccessibledatabase/websitethatincludesgovernmentandnon-governmentactivities,andthestatusofthoseprojects

5. Linkfundingtoreportingofoutcomes.

3.TrackingExpendituresonWildlifeandHabitatPrinciplesproposed:

• Expendituresshouldbetiedtooutcomes(whathasthemoneyspentachieved?)

• Thereshouldbeawaytotrackvaluefor$$spent

4.OverallProgramEvaluation–arecombinedeffortshavingdesiredendresults?Principlesproposed:

• Considercumulativeimpacts

• Considerbroaderimpacts,includingclimatechange

• Workwithpartners.Governmentcannotachievethisalone.

ConsiderationsforProgramEvaluation:

1. Havewell-definedoverarchingprogramobjectives(andwaystomeasureprogress).

2. Takealongview.Wheredoweneedtobe30yearsfromnow,howdowegetthere?Thenidentifyafewthingstodowelltostart,andwhatwillcomenext.

3. Moveawayfrommanagementbycrisis(willneversucceed).Thismayincludeletting


somespeciesatriskgo.Wecan’tchangewhatwe’vedonebutcanchangewhatwedogoingforward.

4. Actinpartnership.

a. Alignwithbroadergovernmentobjectives(e.g.,landuseplanning)andencourageintegrationacrossministriesandacrosssectors/interestgroups

b. Therearemanyplayersonthelandwithsiloeddecisionmaking,needtofocusoncumulativeeffectsandintegrateddecisions.Recognizethattherewillbetrade-offsinmulti-uselandscapesandlookforwaystoharmonize.

5. Conductanauditoftheeffectivenessofconservationdesignations(e.g.,parks,WMAs,etc.).Auditapercentageofthislandeachyear.Wheredesignationsarenotachievingthedesiredoutcomes,consideroptions.

6. Conductapilotprograminadefinedarea,ledbyamulti-sectoralgroup(includinggovernment)toshowhowshareddata,monitoringofoutcomesandreportingcouldbeachieved.

7. Lookforincentive-basedopportunitiestoencouragegoodoutcomes.

8. Focusgovernmentactivitiesonwhatgovernmentdoesbest(e.g.,settingobjectives,synthesizingdata,preventativeapproaches),useprofessionalstoprovideotherservices.


EvaluationoftheWorkshopIntotal,28evaluationformswerereceivedfrom44participants—a64percentcompletionrate.Inanswertothequestion:“Overall,didtheworkshopmeetyourexpectations?”

• Yes-74%

• Inpart-22%

• No-4%

Levelsofagreementwithaseriesofstatementsabouttheworkshoparepresentedinthetablebelow.

Statement stronglyagree agree neutral disagree strongly

disagreeAttendingthisworkshopwasagooduseofmytime 11 13 4 - -

Ihadampletimetosharemyideas 16 8 4 - -

Overall,Ifoundtheworkshopuseful 5 19 4 - -

Theworkshopwaswellorganized 7 13 6 2 -

Theopenspacesessionstocommentonallthepolicythemeswereuseful 7 8 9 2 1

Thebreakoutgroupsprovidedanopportunityforproductivediscussions 10 14 2 1 -

Thefacilitationoftheworkshopwaseffective 7 11 6 1 -

Thisistherightgroupofpeopletobeinvolvedinthisworkshop 8 11 5 2 1

Thisisagoodvenueforholdingtheworkshop 12 10 3 1 1

Thefoodmetmyexpectations 9 9 7 - 1


Nextsteps

Inthefinalplenaryoftheworkshop,participantshadanopportunitytocommentontheengagementprocessforImprovingWildlifeManagementandHabitatConservation,ontheworkshopspecifically,andwherethingsweregoingnext.

SummaryoftheworkshopThesummaryoftheworkshop(thisreport)willbepublishedonlineonEngageBCandmadeavailabletopublicandstakeholdersinterestedintheprocess.Thereportisintendedtodocumenttheworkshopdeliberationsandfuelfuturemulti-stakeholderconversations.

WorkingGroupWebinarsWorkshopparticipantswereencouragedtosignupforWorkingGroupWebinarsforeachofthesevenpolicythemesthatweretakingplaceoverthenextfewmonths.TheresultspresentedinthisreportwillbeusedasastartingpointfortheWorkingGroupstohavemorein-depthdiscussionsandrefineideasineachofthepolicythemesinordertodeveloppolicyoptionsfortheProvincetoconsider.AreportontheresultsoftheWorkingGroupWebinarswillsummarizealltheoptionsandideasthatweredevelopedbytheWorkingGroups,indicatingareaswheretherewasstrongagreementacrossstakeholdersectors,andwherepossible,indicatingpoliciesorideasthatcouldbeadoptedandimplementedbytheMinistryintheshortterm.

PolicyIntentionsPaperThepolicyoptionsrecommendedthroughtheWorkingGroupWebinarswillbeprovidedtotheMinistry,whichwilltaketheseresultsalongwiththeresultsofinternalpolicydiscussions,anddevelopaPolicyIntentionsPaper.ThePolicyIntentionsPaperwillalsobeguidedbyaparallelengagementprocesswithindigenouspeoplesacrosstheprovince.ThePolicyIntentionsPaperwillbepublishedandregionalandprovincialstakeholdersandthepublicwillhaveanopportunitytoreviewitandprovidecomments.ThepaperwillalsobemadeavailableontheEngageBCwebsite.


Appendices

AppendixA WorkshopAttendees

Academia&Research

PamelaHengeveld,AssociationofProfessionalBiology

ColeBurton,UniversityofBritishColumbia

AimeeMitchell,BCBatActionTeam

RoyRea,EcosystemScienceandManagementProgram&NaturalResourcesandEnvStudiesInstitute,UNBC

Agriculture

GeoffHughes-Games,BCAgricultureCouncil&BCAgricultureResearchandDevelopmentCorporation

KevinBoon,BCCattlemen'sAssociation

EnergyandMining

ScottGrindal,CanadianAssociationofPetroleumProducers

MikeWilfley,CanadianEnergyandPipelineAssociation

AnitraParis,CleanEnergyBC

DianaWalls,MiningAssociationofBC

ENGOS/Conservation/Wildlife

JohnnyMikes,CanadianParks&WildernessSocietyBC

GregFerguson,FederationofBCNaturalists(BCNature)

NicholasScapillati,GrizzlyBearFoundation

JensWieting,SierraClubofBC

ErinRyan,SPCABC

CharlotteDawe,WesternCanadaWildernessCommittee

RodDavis,WildlifeSociety-BCChapter


BrentonFroehlich,WildlandStewardsAssociationofBC

JohnBergenske,Wildsight

Forestry

JenniferGunter,BCCommunityForestAssociation

ArchieMacDonald,CouncilofForestIndustries

DanBattistella,InteriorLumberManufacturers’Association

MeganHanacek,PrivateForestLandholdersAssociation

HabitatConservationandLandTrusts

JenBellhouse,BCConservationFoundation–WildSafeBC

GayleHesse,BCConservationFoundation–WildlifeCollisionPreventionProgram

DanBuffett,DucksUnlimited,BCoffice

BrianSpringinotic,HabitatConservationTrustFoundation

HillaryPage,NatureConservancyofCanada

JasperLament,TheNatureTrustofBC

Hunters,Trappers,andGuides

MarkRobichaud,BCBackcountryHunters&Anglers

BrianDack,BCTrappersAssociation

GerryPaille,BCWildlifeFederation

SeanOlmstead,GuideOutfittersAssociationofBC

MarkWerner,SportsmansConservationAlliance

RobChipman,UnitedBowhuntersofBC

MikeSchroeder,WildSheepSocietyofBC

JohnHenderson,WildlifeStewardshipCouncil

TourismandRecreation


BradHarrison,AdventureTourismCoalition

DonegalWilson,BCSnowmobileFederation

KathyMacRae,CommercialBearViewingAssociation

RossCloutier,HelicatCanada

CielSander,OutdoorRecreationCouncilofBC

WaltJudas,TourismIndustryAssociationofBC

ScottBenton,WildernessTourismAssociationofBC

ProvincialGovernmentStaff

WardTrotter,ExecutiveDirector,NaturalResources,FLNRORD

ChrisHamilton,Director,StrategicProjectsandIndigenousPolicy,FLNRORD

JenniferPsyllakis,DirectorofWildlifeandHabitat,FLNRORD

MaryamMofidpoor,ProjectManagerIWMHC,FLNRORD

MikePedersen,RegionalExecutiveDirector,CaribooRegion,FLNRORD

PennyLloyd,DeputyDirector,Policy,FLNRORD

RaychlLukie,RegionalOperationsLead,IWMHC,FLNRORD

SarahDixon,SeniorPolicyAnalyst,FLNRORD

SteveGordon,HabitatManager,FLNRORD

TaraSzkorupa,SeniorWildlifeBiologist,FLNRORD

TerryAhern,SeniorAdvisor,FLNRORD

TobeSprado,ConservationOfficerService

VictoriaKlassen-Jeffery,EngagementLead,MinistryofEnvironmentandClimateChangeStrategy


AppendixB AgendaWestinHallCentreRichmond,BCDay1:January309:30–10:00am Arrival,registration,coffeeandteaserved,mixandmingle

10:00am

BallroomA-D

WelcomeandIntroductions

§ Presentation:Overviewofengagementprocess

11:00am

BallroomA-D

Onebigideafromeachparticipant:

§ “WhatisonebigideayouhavethatcouldimprovewildlifemanagementandhabitatconservationinBC”?(oneminuteorless)

§ Introductiontoafternoonsessions

12:00–1:00pm Lunch(provided)

1:00–1:15 Minister’saddress

HonourableDougDonaldson,MinisterofForests,LandsandNaturalResourceOperationsandRuralDevelopment

1:15pm

Foyer

OpenSpace1

Whatproblemsareyoumostconcernedaboutthatweshouldbeaddressinginourpolicybreakoutsessions?

§ Openspacestyle,participantshaveopportunitytovisiteachofthepolicytablestocontributetheirideastoeverytopic.

2:00–2:10pm Shortbreak,gotobreakoutrooms

2:10pm

PolicydiscussionsPartA:

2:10–3:25pm:Participantsselectonetheme,participateindiscussion

3:25–3:45pm:Refreshmentbreak,opportunitytoswitchtoasecondtopicifdesired

3:45–5:00pm:Participantsselectsecondtheme,participateindiscussion(ormaystaywithfirstthemeifdesired)

Fourthemegroupsare:

§ Funding–Foyer

§ WildlifePlanningandObjectives–BallroomA

§ Data,InformationandKnowledge–BallroomB-C

§ DecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitat–BallroomD

5:00pm Endofday1


Day2:January318:00–8:30am Arrival,coffeeandteaavailable

8:30am

BallroomA-D

HarvestofhighlightsfromDay1breakoutgroups

SetupforDay2breakoutgroups

9:00am PolicyDiscussionsPartB:

9:00–10:20am:Participantsselectonetheme,participateindiscussion

10:20–10:45am:Refreshmentbreak,opportunitytoswitchtoasecondtopicifdesired

10:45am–12:00pm:Participantsselectsecondtheme,participateindiscussion(ormaystaywithfirstthemeifdesired)

Threethemegroupsare:

§ WildlifeHabitatManagement–BallroomA

§ AchievingDesiredOutcomes–BallroomB-C

§ StakeholderEngagement–BallroomD

12:00–1:00pm Lunch(provided)

1:00pm

BallroomA-D

HarvestofhighlightsfromDay2breakoutgroups

1:30pm

BallroomA-D

Reflectionandnextsteps

§ Closingcomments

2:15pm

Foyer

OpenSpace2

Opportunitytoreviewandcommentonoutcomesfromallpolicythemediscussions

§ Openspacestyle,participantshaveopportunitytovisiteachpolicytableandaddto/commentonideaspostedonflipcharts

SignupforongoingWorkingGroupWebinarsonpolicythemesofchoice

3:00pm Workshopclose


AppendixC Presentations

1

Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation

Stakeholder Workshop

January 30 – 31, 2018

Housekeeping

• Name tag, table assignment, agenda, evaluation, list of participants, Policy Primer Booklet

• Washrooms• Cell phone ringers• Under-the-table texting• WIFI – Westin Meetings - flnrord19

2

Facilitators’ Role

• Traffic cop• Inclusivity• On task; on time• Document

3

Ground Rules

• Respect everyone’s right to be heard• Respect everyone’s views• Seek common ground• Use plain language

4

1 2

3 4


2

Workshop Goals

• To provide an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to meet face-to-face and share their perspectives on wildlife management and habitat conservation in British Columbia

• To provide time for participants to have in-depth discussions about policy areas of interest to them

• To begin to develop policy options for the Province to consider

• To lay the groundwork for further engagement and discussion through webinars, and identify participants wishing to participate in these discussions

5

Agenda (Day 1)

6

Time Activity Responsibility

10 – 10:40 Welcome and Introductions Alan DolanAll

10:40 – 11 Overview of Engagement Process Chris Hamilton

11 – 12 One Big Idea (Speak and Write) All

12 – 1 Lunch All

1 – 2 Open Space 1• Problems to address in breakouts

All

Agenda (Day 1)

7


2:10 – 3:25

3:50 – 5

Policy Breakout Groups Part A

• Funding• Wildlife Planning and Objectives• Data, Information and Knowledge• Decision Making for Wildlife and

Habitat

All

Agenda (Day 2)

8


8:30 – 9 Harvest of Highlights (Day 1) Facilitators

9 – 10:20

10:45 – 12

Policy Breakout Groups Part B

• Wildlife Habitat Management• Achieving Desired Outcomes• Stakeholder Engagement

All

12 – 1 • Lunch All

5 6

7 8


3

Agenda (Day 2)

9


1 - 3 Harvest of Highlights (Day 2)

1:30 – 2:30 Open Space 2• Review and comment on

outcomes of policy theme discussions

• Sign-up for Working Group Webinars

All

2:30 - 3 Reflections and Next Steps All

IWMHC Engagement Scope

Why broad multi-stakeholder engagement?

• Encourage interactive discussions between groups and sectors

• Broad range of perspectives on wildlife and habitat

• Collaboratively develop policy recommendations to government

• Seek agreement where possible

• Present options10

Engagement Scope

On the table

• Provincial scale

• Legislation, tools, governance structures, and new approaches to improve wildlife management and habitat conservation

• Work that keeps common species common

• Indigenous governance and relationships

11

Engagement Scope

Off the table

• Regional place-based discussions

• Allocation decisions

• Specific hunting and trapping regs

• Discussions on hunting and trapping as legitimate land uses

12

9 10

11 12


4

Engagement Scope

Off the table

• Fish management (for now)

• Topics related to other engagement processeso Land Use Planningo Species at Risko Caribou recovery

13

IWMHC Timing

• Long-term strategy developed through engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous communities

• Short-term improvements already underway and others may be “off-ramped” before final strategy where it makes sense o Broad supporto Early benefits for wildlife and habitato Capacity and resourcing to implement

14

Phase One Engagement Process

• Stakeholder sectoral workshops (April 2018)o Bundled with SAR and Caribou recoveryo 50 organizations

• Indigenous workshops (May – June 2018)

o 122 communities; 23 facilitated sessions

• Engage BCo Online stakeholder submissions – 298 emailso Public emails – 1,137 comments

15

Phase Two Engagement Process

Objectives

• Communicate Phase One input

• Shift from input to collaboration on key areas

• Include a broad range of sectors

• Build trust and confidence through transparency

• Develop tangible policy options and ideas for improving wildlife management and habitat conservation in BC

16

13 14

15 16


5

Phase Two Engagement Process

Outcomes

• Through collaboration, three main products:

• Early wins where possible

• Consultant’s report: options and ideas from engagement

• Gov’t Policy Intentions Paper to inform Phase Three

17

Phase Three Engagement Process

• Focus is on Policy Intentions Paper

• Online engagement through Engage BC

• Regional and provincial meetings

• Late Spring/early summer

18

Phase Four Engagement Process

• Implementation of a new wildlife and habitat management strategy for BC (Fall 2020)

19Source:. Judith Cullington

• Parallel initiatives• Focus is on First Nations perspectives on

wildlife management • First Nations from all around the Province in a

“forum”• Not consultation• Not place-based • For now, a separate process

Indigenous Engagement

20

Source: Province of BC

17 18

19 20


6

• https://engage.gov.bc.ca/wildlifeandhabitat/

• Public comments

• Stakeholder submissions

• What We Heard reports – stakeholder, public, Indigenous

• What We Heard and What Is Next report

• Updates and policy documents posted

Sharing What We Heard

21 22Source: http://artofliving.summitlodge.com/the-great-outdoors/wildlife-of-british-columbia-11-species-to-look-out-for-this-summer/

Source: /www.wildlifeworkshops.com

ONE BIG IDEA

To improve wildlife management and habitat conservation in BC

• Funding• Wildlife Planning and Objectives• Data, Information and Knowledge• Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat• Stakeholder Engagement• Wildlife Habitat Management• Achieving Desired Outcomes• Other

Day 1 Open Space (1 pm)

23

• Funding (Foyer)• Wildlife Planning and Objectives

(Ballroom A)• Data, Information and Knowledge –

(Ballroom B/C)• Decision Making for Wildlife and

Habitat (Ballroom D)

Day 1 Policy Breakout Groups (2 – 5 pm)

24

21 22

23 24


7


Workshop January 30 – 31, 2019

Harvests from Day 1 Policy Breakout Groups

1. How much money is “enough” to support BC’s wildlife and habitat needs?

2. Where should the funds come from?

3. What are the priorities?

4. How should decisions on allocating funds be informed?

5. How should accountability for funding decisions be ensured?

26

Funding

Attributes for fundraising:• Everyone contributes (everyone benefits)• Engage public – clear need, clear what funds will be used

for, compelling story • Reasonable administration costs

Attributes for fund allocation and management: • Transparent• Accountable• Decisions on allocation made by gov, scientists,

practitioners, local • Include First Nations in allocations

Funding

27

Fundraising – some of…• Big tent approach (everyone benefits, everyone pays):

increase to sales tax (0.125%)– Gasoline tax, real estate tax

• User pays approaches– Industry contributions (those who disturb habitat pay

accordingly)– Consumption tax – on outdoor equipment– Excise tax (at manufacturing level)– ALL licence fee goes to conservation (not just surcharge)

• Or – do we just reallocate funds from crisis to proactive? 28

Funding

25 26

27 28


8

Managing and allocating funds:• Decisions by multi- interest group/advisory

panel/technical committee– Those who contribute should have a say

• Fund within gov – or not? – pros and cons • Need to be accountable, transparent, FOIPA

• Consider different pots of funding – e.g., admin, inventory, research… may need different approaches

29

Funding

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the current approach to wildlife planning and objective setting?

2. What could be revised or what would other approaches to wildlife planning and objective setting look like?

30

Source: Steve Wilson

Wildlife Planning and Objectives

Problems identified:• Lack of consistent objectives that apply to all resource

users, leading to fragmented and siloed management• Failure to account for economic value of wildlife• Insufficient monitoring• Trying to do everything for everyone, everywhere

31

Wildlife Planning and ObjectivesSetting objectives:• Everything flows from population objectives for game and non-

game species (but not all species)• Infrastructure required — provincial- and regional-scale boards

with broad representation and expert support• Objective-setting policy framework that address core principles,

some options:– Climate adaptation/ecosystem resilience/representation– Carrying capacity/sustenance and recreational demand– Cost-benefit

• Approach needs to be flexible, scalable• Equal footing to legal objectives in statutory decision-making 32

Wildlife Planning and Objectives

29 30

31 32


9

Valuing wildlife:• Change the economic model to change incentives and

therefore human behaviour• Develop a price structure - those who exploit must pay, those

who enhance get paid• Market model to link to abundance (increasing price with

lower abundance)

33

Wildlife Planning and ObjectivesPublish annual report on state of wildlife in BC:• Varying levels of detail • Use best available data

– Science (including Citizen)– Local knowledge– Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Data, Information and Knowledge

Expand and promote use of Citizen Science for gathering wildlife and habitat data:• Use existing tools

– Road Watch BC– Wild Cam– Moose Track App


Make data and information a priority for ongoing supportive funding

Develop centralized access to online databases of data and information• CDC• SPI


33 34

35 36


10

Foster partnering to collect and share data between different organizations and agencies• governments, universities, industries, First Nations

Develop a data management policy to streamline the process• Identification, collection, analysis, sharing

37

Data, Information and Knowledge Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat

1. What would improved decision-making models look like?

38

Source: Steve Wilson

• Regional decision making within an overarching provincial strategy

• Provincial level Wildlife Board (or similar): provincial strategy, clear vision, and objective targets that consider science-based data, cumulative effects, and socio-economic values

• General support for First Nations, stakes and gov at the same table in a regional roundtable manner (more than the ‘traditional’ stakeholders (trappers/hunters/guides)

39

Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat

• Regional / roundtables to help develop the provincial strategy, set science-based and transparent objectives, and provide independent oversight. Two way communication with the Provincial Wildlife Board (or similar) is critical.

• Examples:

– The moose solutions in Chilcotin (co-management approach with First Nations)

– Cariboo Progress Board (expanded version)– Yukon approach

40


37 38

39 40


11

• Ensure decision-makers for ALL natural resource decisions across all legislation (Land Act, Coal Act etc.) MUST consider wildlife objectives – may require Environmental Land Use Act or similar legislation

• Ensure that wildlife and habitat objectives apply on park land as well as on other crown lands.

• Government decisions should be transparent; and the rationale behind decisions and tradeoff considerations clearly documented and explained.

41


• Overall - if we identify a new model for decision making that involves both regional decision making and First Nations co-management, we’d have come a long way from where we are now!

42


• Wildlife Habitat Management (Ballroom A)

• Achieving Desired Outcomes (Ballroom B/C)

• Stakeholder Engagement (Ballroom D)

Day 2 Policy Breakout Groups (9 – 12 pm)

43


Workshop January 30 – 31, 2019

Harvests from Day 2 Policy Breakout Groups

41 42

43 44


12

Stakeholder Engagement

1. Minister’s Advisory Council

• Province-wide

• Broad sectoral participation

• High level

• e.g., Tourism Council

45

2. Regional Advisory Committees

• Broad sectoral participation

• Terms of reference critical

• Roles

• Rotating membership

• Representativeness

46


3. Management Planning Engagement

• To be determined

47


4. Stakeholder / public mailing lists

• Fundamentally important step

• How to “gather” interest

• Sign-up on Engage BC

• Use existing mailings

• Privacy concerns

48


45 46

47 48


13

5. Improve Engage BC

• Follow-up reports

• Personal response to people

• Use video

• Make “blog” posts more positive – moderate?

• Demographic study – Who uses it?

49


6. Improve Communications

• Communications plan – to reach people

• Social media policy

• Meeting challenges in rural areas

50


7. Ensure government accountable on all decisions

• What we heard

• What we did about it

• Why

51

Stakeholder Engagement Wildlife Habitat Management

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the current approach to wildlife habitat management?

2. What are alternative or improved approaches to wildlife habitat management?

52

49 50

51 52


14

• Major theme: managing to resilience– Recognizing climate and economic shifts (static to

dynamic):• wildfire response• future opportunity

– Services model: • wildlife, food, fibre, forage, mineral, recreation, tourism,

cultural, spiritual

53

Wildlife Habitat Management• Shifts in approach

– Moving towards regulatory alignment– More intentional management at all scales:

• Operational planning• Landscape unit planning• Regional and provincial alignment

– Maximizing value from a fixed land base• ensuring the effectiveness of management actions• leverage value of the private land base and the experts

who manage it • properly valuing goods and services derived from

habitat 54

Wildlife Habitat Management

Achieving Desired Outcomes

1. Tracking expenditures

2. Measuring outcomes

3. Reporting outcomes

4. Program evaluation

55Source: Steve Wilson

• Are we achieving our stated objectives – how do we know? • Need for a big fix – long term • What can we do in short term? Tracking• Database/website – gov and non-gov projects, status• Include info industry already gathering Measuring• Audit of lands designated in some way for conservation

• Is this designation working, what needs to change?• Would another piece of land achieve this better?

56


53 54

55 56


15

• Systematic monitoring – Identify key species– Provincial scale indicators– Measurement over years– Annual reporting – outcomes, how $ spent, what needs to

change/improve– Learn from others – best practices– Regional approach: Pilot project – NE BC

• Effectiveness monitoring – are actions leading to the desired outcomes

• Have criteria for objectives, e.g., habitat condition57


Reporting• Annual reporting

– Prepared/reviewed by independent groupIntegrated decision making • Many players on the land with siloed decision making, need to

focus on cumulative effects, integrated decisions• Strategic approach• Think long term but identify key actions to take now, then

what comes next • Focus government activities on what gov does best (e.g.,

setting objectives, synthesizing data, preventative approaches)

58


57 58

Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation ... · Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation Stakeholder Workshop Meeting Notes January 30 – 31, 2019 February

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