Presentation to the Forum International de l'Économie Sociale et Soli daire Montreal, Quebec October 19, 2011 Presented by Susan Mulkey

Presentation to theForum International de l'Économie

Sociale et SolidaireMontreal, QuebecOctober 19, 2011

Presented bySusan Mulkey

BC Community Forest Association Manager of Communication and Extension

Community Forestrylocal people’s control over forest resources

for local benefit

Provincial Objectives• Flexibility and long-term opportunities• Manage for a range of local priorities• Diversify use and benefits • Provide social and economic benefits• Environmental stewardship • Foster innovation• Community involvement• Strengthen relationships

“Community Forests own the principle of social license. They have the ability to pilot ideas and

innovate in the way they manage their land base…they have an opportunity like no other tenure in the

past.”Pat Bell, former Minister of Forests

The Community Forest Agreement

• Governed by the Forest and Range Practices Act

• Fees are paid to the Crown based on tabular rate structure

• Application process• Focus on community• Focus on diversification

The Community Forest Agreement

• Area-based license

• Provides the exclusive right to harvest timber within the CFA area, and the right to manage botanical forest products.

• 25 year long-term agreement, replaceable every 10 years

Community Forest Program Status

• 1.5% of the provincial annual timber harvest

Benefits of Community ForestsPriorities are varied and identified by each community

• Employment• Economic Diversification• Recreation and Tourism• Local land stewardship and connect people to the land • Improve awareness of forest management and ecology • Services to the community• Partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

communities • Education, training and skill development• Reduce carbon footprint

Enabling Conditions

• Formal allocation of ownership or management rights

• Financial resources for startup and infrastructure• Community support and capacity• Technical knowledge and management expertise• Appropriate forest management framework• Market access

Local Lessons

• Identify community • Identify profit • Run as a business • Arms length from politics• Start with small successes• Trusted leadership• Be willing to compromise • Keep community engaged and informed

First Nations Opportunities

“The community forest has allowed for the spiritual connection on the land to be re-established. They don’t call it a community forest at home, they call it home.”

Mike Robertson, Senior Policy AdvisorCheslatta Carrier Nation

The BCCFA

Local Forests, Local People, Local DecisionsGrassroots Non Profit Society

Formed in 2002 50 members strong

Now over 50 members

Key Activities of the BCCFA

Provincial Policy Education & Networkingand ProgramExpansion

2010 Olympic Podiums14 out of the 23 podiums were made of wood donated

by Community Forests

www.WoodSourceBC.com

On-line wood marketplace where buyers and sellers connect

[email protected]

[email protected]