The summer 2013 edition of Private Forest Matters—a quarterly newsletter distributed to members of the Private Forest Landowners Association. Includes: highlights from the 2013 forestry forum; forest safety tips; private forestry recognition awards and more.

1. Private Forest Matters
Safety First!
How to Make Forest Safety Your First Priority
Summer 2013
In This Issue
Safety First! How to Make
Forest Safety Your First Priority 1
Private Forestry
Recognition Awards 2
Highlights from the 2013
Forestry Forum 2
Out and About with the PFLA 2
PFLA Policy Update 3
Biosolids, Riparian Enhancement
and the Urban Interface 4
Contact Information
P.O. Box 48092
Victoria, BC V8Z 7H5
Tel: 250 381 7565
Fax: 250 381 7409
www.pfla.bc.ca
Rod Bealing - Executive Director
rod.bealing@pfla.bc.ca
Ina Shah - Office Manager
info@pfla.bc.ca
Continued on page 2
Because safety is a top priority, and a lot can
change in a short period of time, we’ve coll-
aborated with one of our favourite resources
(Managing Your Woodlands: A Non-forester’s
Guide to Small-scale Forestry in British Colu-
mbia) to highlight some important points to
consider when putting together a safety
plan for your operation.
Hiring a crew to do the harvesting for you?
Poor log markets, over the past 7 years, had a
devastating effect on B.C.’s local workforce. A
lot of experienced and qualified contractors
were forced to leave the business. The result
is a potential shortage of workers and equi-
pment available to meet an increased
demand for harvesting activity.
Statistics show incidents of injuries rise as
markets pick up after a period of inactivity
and a new crop of inexperienced workers
step up to meet the renewed demand for
harvesting. Given this set of circumstances,
it’s more important than ever for forest ow-
ners to be diligent about a safety plan for
your operation. Make it a priority to have a
conversation with your contractor about
safety and certification.
In British Columbia, it’s a legal requirement
for manual tree fallers in forestry operations
to be trained and certified. The BC Forest
Safety Council is the certifying body that
ensures competency standards and an
appropriate level of experience. When you’re
hiring a contractor, look for a certified faller
and a certified crew. Once you’ve chosen
your contractor, have a pre-work meeting to
walk and review the site and share any and all
information that might impact the safety of
the operation.
Public safety is your responsibility.
You’re responsible for the public’s safety on
your property. If you have trails, roads, public
access or any other potential for people —
dog walkers, horseback riders, mountain
bikers, star-crossed lovers — to access your
operating area you need to take steps to
keep them safe.
• Notify your contractor of any
area used by the public
• Close trails
• Lock gates
• Post signs
• Be alert
General Safety Tips for Forest Workers
• Know basic first-aid. At minimum, carry
a whistle and a pressure bandage and
know how to stop bleeding and treat
shock. Consider taking the Level 1
Occupational First-Aid course (time
well spent!).
Group photo! Participants of the 2013 forest field tour

2. • Always let someone know where you’re
going and when you expect to return.
Leave a note in your vehicle if your
plans change.
• Carry a communication device with you.
Check in frequently with someone who
knows where you are. Ideally, don’t work
alone. Have a buddy with you.
• It’s always a good idea to wear hard hats
and high-visibility vests when you’re
in the woods and never approach a
working machine until you’re certain
the operator can see you.
• Fatigue, adverse weather conditions,
poor visibility, inexperience and poor
communication are frequently contri-
buting factors to injuries in the woods.
• Remember: safety is a state of mind. Your
attitude and your actions are important.
Be alert. Be prepared. Be careful.
Out and About with
the PFLA
Zucchini Racing at Cowichan Exhibition
September 6-8, 2013
An excellent opportunity to engage the co-
mmunity just for the fun of it, PFLA is proud
to co-sponsor the 3rd annual zucchini racing
competition at the Cowichan Exhibition. We
look forward to an action-packed weekend
connecting with families, elected officials,
forest owners, community members and
busloads of enthusiastic school kids.
Federation of BC Woodlot Association’s AGM
September 19-22, 2013
PFLA is excited to attend the Federation of BC
Woodlot Association’s annual general meet-
ing and conference in Campbell River and
Quadra Island this year. If you’re interested,
please visit their website (www.woodlot.bc.
ca) for detailed conference schedule and
registration information.
Pg 2
Private Forestry Recognition Awards
Here at the PFLA we’re lucky to work with
talented and impressive people passionate
about the contributions they make to the
sustainable management of B.C.’s private
forests. At our recent AGM in June, PFLA
couldn’t resist the opportunity to acknow-
ledge four noteworthy individuals for their
tenacious contributions to private forestry.
Richard Ringma was presented with the
coveted PFLA cutting board as a modest
gesture of our appreciation. With almost
40 years experience in coastal B.C. log sales
and distribution, Richard brings energy,
enthusiasm and determination to PFLA’s
market access efforts. His helpful analysis of
the fibre supply and fibre demand situation
on the B.C. coast is valuable information we
use to educate key audiences and help
dispel some of the myths and rhetoric
that surround log exports. PFLA is lucky
to know Richard and we appreciate all his
energy and hard work.
PFLA supporting member Steve Lackey also
received the coveted PFLA cutting board in
recognition of his ongoing support for pri-
vate forestry. With over three decades of
practical forest stewardship experience,
and a strong talent for reforestation and
community relations, Steve is a highly
respected member of B.C.’s private fore-
stry community. We also owe a rumble of
applause to Steve for the outstanding job
he did organizing this year’s forestry field
tour — thanks Steve!
PFLA was also pleased to recognize Island
Timberlands’employees Morgan Kennah
and Kraig Urbanoski for their creative, con-
sistent and persistent community relation
efforts in the urban interface. Along with
the coveted PFLA cutting board, Morgan
and Kraig were presented with the less-con-
ventional, light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek tac
vest award loaded with tools and resources
to help support their work.
Highlights from the 2013 Forestry Forum
Continued from cover
We’re pleased to announce PFLA’s 18th an-
nual forestry forum was a big hit. A buzz of
energy emanated as information, ideas and
conversation circulated among old friends,
new connections and veteran PFLA
conference goers.
The morning started off with a detailed ti-
mber market analysis from TimberWest log
marketer, Geoff Martin. Next, senior regional
officer for WorkSafeBC, Ron Judd, provided
a comprehensive description of owner,
licensee and prime contractor safety resp-
onsibilities during forestry operations. Along
with a detailed and engaging presentation
chock full of graphics, charts, images and
statistics demonstrating the benefits of
building with wood, Peter Moonen of
WoodWorks! BC brought what no other
presenter did — prizes!
After a quick refreshment break, Stuart
MacPherson and Rod Davis gave an upd-
ate from the Private Managed Forest Land
Council (PMFLC) that included a brief outline
of the purpose and structure of the council;
an overview of the program; a description
of harvest activity for 2012; an explanation
for the 2013 fee increase; highlights of the
current model; and common concerns rais-
ed by the public and local government. The
presenters concluded: the Managed Forest
Program is“well regulated and performance
is quite outstanding.”
Stuart Macpherson also provided cursory
findings from a third party effectiveness audit
performed to determine if the regulatory
model achieves its desired environmental
outcomes (final report pending).
Just before lunch we were treated to a lively
and entertaining report from Canadian
Association of Forest Owner (CAFO) chair,
Domenico lannidinardo, describing the
organization’s progress as they continue to
expand and build on their initial successes
as the voice for Canada’s forest owners.
The afternoon rolled along with a carbon
market update from Matt Walsh of New
Zealand Carbon Market Farming. Matt
continues to be optimistic about emerging
Canadian carbon markets and encourages
forest owners to pay close attention to the
California market, pursue compliance credits
over voluntary credits and be sure to partner
with experts.
The afternoon session wrapped up with an
informative scan of the B.C. political lands-
cape presented by the always insightful and
articulate Mike Brooks. Thanks to all the pres-
enters for making this year’s forum a success.
You can find more detailed summaries and
complete PowerPoint presentations on the
PFLA blog (www.pfla.bc.ca).

3. PFLA Policy Update
PFLA spends a big chunk of our time dilig-
ently engaged on a number of important
policy files relevant to forest owners across
the province. Here’s a brief update to keep
you informed about five important policy
areas we’re working on right now.
1. Migratory Birds Convention Act
and Regulations
Environment Canada is responsible for imp-
lementing the Migratory Birds Convention
Act and Regulations. The legislation, intro-
duced around the turn of last century, was
intended to preserve stocks of‘meat birds’.
Today, it presents a challenge for Canadians
because it prohibits the‘taking’of migrat-
ory birds, of which there are now over five
hundred listed. Recently, government has
received pressure to pursue the letter of
the law rather than the intent.
The migratory bird definition includes birds,
fledglings, eggs and nests — occupied and
unoccupied. All resource-related activities in
Canada — from farming to hydro reservoirs
to windmills to forestry, not to mention mov-
ing vehicles, tall buildings and household
cats — encounter some aspect of this mig-
ratory bird definition. In other words, this is
a national problem not confined to forest
management. In fact, forest management is
comparatively benign. We disturb our land
infrequently and by maintaining forest cover
we actually create and sustain bird habitat.
However, pressure from environmental gro-
ups keeps government’s focus on forestry.
In response to these pressures, Environment
Canada continues to develop“better man-
agement practices”for operators to follow,
along with a database of nesting seasons for
various birds. Environment Canada will make
this information available and landowners are
expected to manage their operations accord-
ingly. The implications of this approach could
mean extended curtailment periods during
nesting season, which would have significant
impacts for multiple industries.
PFLA is engaged in this process to help
government recognize that responsible
forest stewardship has a minor and tem-
porary impact on birds, while onerous and
unnecessary regulation has serious implica-
tions for forest owners. We’re proud that the
way we manage our land supports biodiver-
sity, but we expect to be recognized for our
conservation efforts, and treated with respect
and fairness if it’s deemed necessary to restict
private property in order to protect a
public resource.
2. Species at Risk Act
Parks Canada is in the process of developing
a recovery plan for the Northern Goshawk,
a raptor identified as threatened by the
Committee On the Status of Endangered
Species in Canada (COSEWIC). PFLA and
the Canadian Association of Forest Owners
(CAFO) are engaged in this process to
ensure government is aware of, and takes
into account, the extent to which Northern
Goshawks are thriving in managed second-
growth forests, and the voluntary measures
forest owners already take to protect these
birds and their habitat.
PFLA is urging Parks Canada to make time in
the planning process to incorporate the best
available science and to get out into the
field and learn more about how Northern
Goshawks have adapted to second-growth
managed forests. In July, PFLA participated
in a field tour to show federal agency staff
and other interested stakeholders firsthand
the habitat situation for Northern Goshawks
on private forest land.
3. Private Managed Forest Land Act
Critical Wildlife Habitat — MoU
All private managed forest land in B.C. is
subject to the critical wildlife habitat pro-
visions of the Private Managed Forest Land
Act and regulations. The basic policy prin-
ciple is this: when habitat required for the
survival of a species cannot be provided by
public land, government has the option to
make arrangements with landowners to
protect critical wildlife habitat that exists
on private land.
These regulatory provisions were established
in 2000, but despite the best management
practices and certification-driven work owne-
rs do to identify, study, monitor and protect
listed species, to date, the provincial govern-
ment has not found it necessary to designate
critical wildlife habitat on private managed
forest land.
Even with positive outcomes for the listed
species, forest owners were concerned the
federal Species At Risk Act review process
wasn’t recognizing their voluntary efforts. The
B.C. government wanted to demonstrate that
B.C. adequately protects endangered wildlife.
So, PFLA and the province began working
together to address these concerns, and re-
cently, a memorandum of understanding
was drawn up and signed to guide the
way forward.
4. Firefighting Cost Sharing Agreement
The Wildfire Management Branch has made
some changes to the pricing structure of the
firefighting cost sharing agreement. Not all
of these changes were welcome; particularly
the significant interior rate increases. PFLA is
engaged with government and staff at the
Protection Branch to advocate on behalf
of owners.
5. Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation
The Ministry of Environment continues to
develop regulation intended to address pu-
blic health risks from smoke. Part of the policy
intention is to reduce the amount of smoke
hazard related to open burning – including
prescribed burns on managed forest lands.
Prescribed fire is an important tool for forest
health and minimizing wildfire risk. Alterna-
tives to well-planned and well-implemented
prescribed burning practices are expensive
and ineffective, and increase the potential
for reduced forest health and catastrophic
wildfires that threaten forests, lives
and communities.
Because a large portion of B.C.’s private
managed forest lands are located close to
communities, forest owners are at risk of
being effected by policy changes. PFLA is
working with the B.C. government and
allied associations in an effort to ensure
common sense prevails.
Pg 3

4. Pg 4
Biosolids, Riparian Enhancement and the Urban Interface
What do biosolids, riparian enhancement and
the urban interface have in common? They’re
all highlights from the PFLA 2013 forest field
tour. You’d think, after 18 years of private for-
estry tours, we’d run out of interesting places
to visit, but thanks to the organizing efforts of
Steve Lackey this year’s tour secured PFLA’s
reputation for producing engaging and
informative field tours year after year.
First stop: VIU Forest
The 2013 tour kicked off with a visit to the
Vancouver Island University (VIU) forest
where Jim Wilkinson welcomed the group
to the tour and provided background info-
rmation about the 1,700 hectare forest (700
ha Crown woodlot and 1,000 ha private land)
managed by the VIU forestry department sin-
ce 1988 and composed of 78% Douglas-fir,
11% lodge pole pine and 7% red alder.
After the introduction, participants split
into three smaller groups to learn about
Douglas-fir thinning, red alder with recedar
underplanting and western white pine pla-
ntations. The three sites provided excellent
opportunities for detailed discussion about
planting, pruning, thinning and harvesting.
Right on schedule, we followed the forest trail
through the stand of 90-year-old Douglas-firs
and hopped back on the bus to head to our
next destination: the VIU biosolids demon-
stration site. Because poor soil conditions
severely limit tree growth on some of the
VIU forest sites project coordinators looked
to the Regional District of Nanaimo’s
abundant supply of municipal biosolids as an
ecologically sensible way to improve forest
health while diverting waste from the
RDN’s landfill.
Once we reached the site, organizers divided
the tour into three stops: a discussion of
the untreated control site, info about disc
trenching to enhance Douglas-fir growth
on salal-dominated sites, and an overview
of the biosolids program and the
application process.
Thanks to research silviculturist, Ryan D’Anjou,
participants received impressive amounts of
detailed information, including:
• charts and graphs to compare data from
the three sites
• costs associated with the different
treatments
• survival rates, height growth and site
index estimates
• stem diameter growth and crown
diameter measurements
For more information about the tour or the
project, check out the PFLA blog or visit the
VIU website.
Next stop: a visit to Centre Creek in the
Englishman River watershed
A visit to Centre Creek on TimberWest prop-
erty in the Englishman River watershed made
an ideal lunch spot. TimberWest recently par-
tnered with the Mid-Vancouver Island Habitat
Enhancement Society (MVIHES), a local strea-
mkeeper group, to prepare and execute a
riparian enhancement plan for Centre Creek.
Tour participants enjoyed sandwiches in the
shade while biologist and riparian manag-
ement expert, Dave Clough, explained the
planning process for the project. Faye Smith
from the MVIHES was also available to desc-
ribe the group’s participation in the Centre
Creek project.
Last stop: Talking urban interface issues
with Island Timberlands
It takes decades to grow a merchantable sta-
nd of timber. When your forest land is located
right next door to some of Vancouver Island’s
fastest growing communities, this leaves pl-
enty of time for community members and
recreational enthusiasts — mountain bike
clubs, equestrian riding groups, hikers, dog
walkers — to grow attached to the land you
intend to harvest. At a recently harvested
site in the Englishman River watershed
Kraig Urbanoski and Ken Epps, from Island
Timberlands, talked with the group about
some of the challenges and successes
they’ve had working with communities
in the urban interface.
A big PFLA thanks to all the organizers, tour
hosts and participants who took time out of
your busy schedules to join us. Check out our
Facebook page for more tour photos.