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B.C. releases 10-year forest inventory plan

Over the next decade, the annual funding increase to $8 million will ensure 35 million hectares are inventoried in mountain pine beetle affected and other priority areas, according to Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson. The plan outlines nine goals, each with five- and 10-year targets, ensuring no forest cover data is older than 30 years, while integrating 100 per cent of harvest, reforestation and fire information updates into the inventory.

“Developing a robust forest inventory plan was a top priority for my ministry, as it is so central to our Mid-Term Timber Supply Action Plan. The forest inventory program has the financial certainty it needs to fulfil its mission throughout the next 10 years,” said Thomson.

Developed in consultation with a variety of industry and academic experts, the forest inventory plan is guided by a common vision for an efficient, reliable and complete forest inventory. Key strategies include focusing resources where need is the greatest, collaborating with stakeholders, public reporting of program performance, and using a mix of new cost-effective technologies such as satellite imagery, high resolution digital aerial photography, and software applications for managing large data sets.

“We congratulate the ministry for committing to long-term, stable funding for forest inventory. Solutions to a mid-term timber supply must begin with a good forest inventory,” stated Steve Lorimer, president, Association of BC Forest Professionals.

A forest inventory plan is part of B.C.’s commitment to address mid-term timber supply. Information produced by the forest inventory program is used in many ways, such as forest condition forecasts, timber-supply analysis, silviculture, timber-harvest planning, habitat mapping, wildfire risk assessment, and biodiversity assessments.

“This is a plan that meets the needs of the forest inventory program and the mid-term timber supply challenge head-on. By setting clear targets, publicly reporting progress, working collaboratively, and taking advantage of new innovations, B.C. will continue to enjoy its international reputation for sustainable forest management well into the future,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Forestry John Rustad.