TFL 37 – FLP & FOP Overview

Northern Vancouver Island

The draft Forest Landscape Plan (FLP) and accompanying Forest Operations Plan (FOP) for TFL 37 cover the portion of the tenure within ‘Namgis’ territory on Northern Vancouver Island. The plans have been developed jointly by ‘Namgis First Nation, Western Forest Products and Atli Resources LP for the management of healthy, resilient forests.

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Overview

Context

This is one of four pilot projects sponsored by the Office of the Chief Forester within the Ministry of Forests, helping to shape a new framework for sustainable forest management in B.C. This is the first of the pilot projects to bring forward a draft plan for public review.

Collaborative Planning

The TFL 37 FLP and FOP plans reflect local values informed through extensive engagement and collaboration including:

Gwa’ni Project members engagement
Engagement with ‘Namgis membership
Information sessions at Gwa’ni Project open houses
Meetings with community advisory groups: Nimpkish Woodlands Advisory Committee (NWAC) and Vancouver Island North Woodlands Advisory Group (VINWAG)
Meetings with local municipal government leaders
Collaboration of industry experts, forestry workers and other resource professionals

The draft plan will be further informed through public review and comment.

Stewardship for Multiple Values

A technical team, made up of ‘Namgis and local Western representatives, led the plan development with assistance by staff from the Province and subject matter experts.

These plans bring together ‘Namgis knowledge and wisdom with professional forester expertise, to ensure the long-term stewardship of cultural, economic, and environmental values. A key feature of the plan is a more integrated approach informed by ‘Namgis membership’s direction to consider all forest planning values (i.e. water, flora, wildlife, etc.) together, rather than in isolation. Managing the landscape as a whole better maintains biodiversity and ecosystem health, ensuring waters, lands, and resources are sustained for future generations.

The plan also provides for real-time monitoring to confirm the implemented approach is meeting desired outcomes, along with the flexibility to refine practices where necessary.