March 2014 Newsletter
It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of
MaryAnne Arcand.
The Executive Director of the Central Interior Logging Association (CILA) and a rare position for a woman in BC, MaryAnne was a champion of the forest industry and forest workers.
Prior to her work a the CILA, she was Director of Forestry
TruckSafeBC with the Forest Safety Council.
Her tenacity and drive was an inspiration to many of us.
We will be forever grateful for her wisdom, encouragement,and support. more
REGISTER NOW
BCCFA 2014 Conference and AGM
June 12-14, 2014 in Williams Lake
Hosted by the Likely-Xat'sull and the Esk'etemc Community Forests. Our co-hosts are offering a unique approach to the conference this year by changing up the setting, with less time in the conference room and more time in the field. This is a not-to-be-missed time for connecting with people who are engaged in the management, governance and oversight of community forests.
Early Bird Registration for BCCFA Members and Non-Members until May 9, 2014
2014 Conference Sessions
All of the following events are included in the full event registration package
:
- Thursday, June 12, 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Field Trip at Alkali Lake
The field trip will include a session on Consultation and First Nations AOA and a field demo of mobile technology for beetle probing. Bring your device. Bus transportation from Williams Lake provided.
- Thursday, June 12
Opening Reception
Discovery Tourism Centre, Williams Lake
Meet and Greet starts at 6:00 with cash bar and snacks. 7:30 President's Welcome and introductions of sponsors, board and guests.
- Friday, June 13, 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Field Trip at Likely
The Likely tour will highlight the development of the local heritage sites and the challenges of overlapping tenures. Bus transportation from Williams Lake Discovery Centre is provided and will go directly to the AGM from Likely.
- Friday, June 13, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
BCCFA AGM at Xats’ull Heritage site
Bus transportation from Likely and Williams Lake is provided. Optional Xat'sull tour following the AGM.
- Friday June 13 - 6:30 -10:00
Operations Dinner and Discussion
Laughing Loon Restaurant, Williams Lake
This is an adaptation of the regular Manager's session. It will focus on the issues, questions and interests specific to CFA managers. Everyone is welcome to attend.
- Saturday, June 14
Conference and Banquet
Pioneer Complex at Williams Lake
Conference sessions and workshops will include a fire management planning panel, discussion of the BCCFA indicators and front country mapping projects, forest education and workplace training,due diligence, social media (websites, facebook and linkedin), and strategic planning and governance for CFAs. The banquet is from 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm.
Register for the event more information
Become a Conference Sponsor more information
Book your Conference Accommodation more information
Reports and Meeting Minutes
The Executive Director's report is where you will find the details of BCCFA board and staff initiatives and activities and is organized along the structure of the BCCFA strategic plan categories. The March report includes information on BCCFA meetings in February in Victoria with MFLNRO and Minister Thomson.
Available to BCCFA members only.
Community Forest News and Networking
It has been almost 14 years since the first community forest pilot agreement was signed. The BCCFA has become a storehouse of information collected from the network of on most aspects of community forestry administration, governance and forest management. Contact the BCCFA with your questions. If we don't have the answer at hand, we can help you get the information you are looking for.
Clarification on the New BCTS Special Account Regulation
The regulation announced in government’s
February 6, 2014 news release on ‘BC Timber Sales partnerships’ came about as a result of some BCTS pilots, including one with North Island Community Forest Limited Partnership (NICFLP). The new regulation facilitates the ability for BCTS to authorize the expenditure and receipt of moneys related to business agreements designed for BCTS to assist First Nations and communities in selling some of their timber harvesting rights through BCTS’ competitive auction. The regulation doesn’t explain how agreements will be put together, it just outlines the authority BCTS now has to manage the funds related to those business agreements. The specific terms for the agreements will vary from case to case.
BCTS is offering other options for community forests and First Nations to partner such as Esk'etemc First Nation's ungulate winter range project. BCTS contact is Laurie McCulligh, Business Relations Officer, BC Timber Sales Laurie.McCulligh@gov.bc.ca
more information
Forest Education Capacity Building
Individual community forests can invest in this initiative and bring forest education to their community. Bill Bourgeois, the project coordinator, is looking for sponsors that at willing to contribute even $1,000 to the K-12 and Community Collaboratives.
more information
Other News
The Journal of Ecosystems and Management has just published its latest issue
more information
February Update from Minister Thompson more information
Minister recognizes International Day of Forests
Minister Steve Thomson issued the following statement in recognition of International Day of Forests:
read more
Introduction to ThisForest - Forest Product Traceability Project more information
Columbia Mountains Institute
Call for Presentations - Solving Wicked Problems – Using Human Dimensions to Inform Natural Resource Management - September 30, 2014 in Kimberley
more information
Major Milestone: A New Path to become a Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
The Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program at UBC has just been accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board for the next 6 years, retroactive to August 2012. This is a major milestone in the development and implementation of this new course-based Master’s program, and a first for forestry graduate programs in Canada. MSFM program graduates can to apply to become an RPF with member agencies of the Canadian Federation of Professional of Professional Foresters Associations (CFPFA), including the Association of BC Professional Foresters. The program has already been acknowledged with success with the graduates of the class of 2013 all having found employment.
more information
Introducing FireScience.org
A US based organization dedicated to fire education and information ecosystem. Their mission is to provide fire education, public safety careers information and tools to the public at no cost.
more information 
