Western Forest Products Planning and Practices

Long-term. Science-based. Collaborative.

Western manages 1.62 million hectares of land with a science-based approach, utilizing the most current technology. Our 250-year planning cycle considers what will be conserved first, then makes decisions designed to never harvest more than we grow.

From the early stages of the planning process, we encourage open and frequent communication with First Nations, our stakeholders and the general public. We welcome feedback on any of these plans, or any of our forest management activities.

Practices

Our caretaking responsibilities

We employ a team of forest professionals and specialists across diverse disciplines to lead and oversee our forest stewardship activities, including reforestation, wildfire management, habitat protection and watershed care. Additionally, we collaborate with independent specialists to guide ethical, science-based forest management practices.

Plans

Tree Farm Licence (TFL) Management Plans

We develop a Management Plan for each TFL at a minimum every ten years that outlines how we manage all forest resources and includes the modelling analysis to support the timber supply review and determination by British Columbia’s Chief Forester.

Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP)

FSPs work in tandem with the legislated practice requirements of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation and provide the “results and strategies” for designing and implementing timber harvesting.

Forest Landscape Plan (FLP) and Forest Operations Plan (FOP)

In 2021, the Province of B.C. announced it would transition Forest Stewardship Plans over to Forest Landscape Plans and Forest Operations Plans. An FLP establishes clear goals and outcomes for the management of forest resources. The FOP illustrates the tactical requirements for forest practices, silvicultural systems, stocking standards and the locations of future cut blocks and roads.

Forest Operations Maps (FOM)

FOMs are specific to each road development or timber harvesting site. These maps are created during the planning process to allow for easy viewing of proposed forest operations.