The autumn 2011 edition of Private Forest Matters—a quarterly newsletter distributed to members of the Private Forest Landowners Association in British Columbia, Canada. Includes: visit to the North Cowichan Community Forest.

1. Private Forest
Matters Fall 2011 Issue Shoal Island, see page 4
In This Issue
Happy Trees, Healthy Forests:
PFLA Visits the North
Cowichan Community Forest 1
Public Policy Update 2–3
Out and About with the PFLA 2
5 Tips to Help Capture the
Best Value from Your Logs 4
PFLA Community Meetings:
Coming Soon to
a Town Near You 4
A group of independent private forest owners learn about planting, tending and harvesting
timber crops from Darrell Frank at the North Cowichan Community Forest.
Happy Trees, Healthy Forests:
PFLA Contact
Information
PFLA Visits the North Cowichan
Community Forest
Private Forest Landowners
Association (BC) A big thanks to the Private Managed Forest Land Council
P.O. Box 48092 (PFMLC) for an informative and enlightening forestry
Victoria, BC V8Z 7H5
Tel: 250 381 7565
workshop, held September 17, 2011 in the Cowichan Valley.
Fax: 250 381 7409 The workshop was an excellent opportunity for PFLA to connect with
www.pfla.bc.ca private Managed Forest owners from around southern Vancouver Island:
Shawnigan Lake, Salt Spring Island, Thetis Island, Galiano Island, the
Rod Bealing Saanich Peninsula and beyond.
Executive Director
Private Forest Landowners First stop: the North Cowichan Community Forest where Darrell Frank
Association shared information, tips, best practices and overall forestry wisdom with
rod.bealing@pfla.bc.ca workshop participants. Darrell’s key message: Have a clear vision for what
you want your forest land to look like and hire good, reliable people to do
Ina Shah the work.
Office Manager
Private Forest Landowners >> Continued on page 3
Association
info@pfla.bc.ca
Private Forest Matters – Fall 2011 (1)

2. PFLA Public Policy Developments Update
The PFLA continues to work diligently with federal, 3. Private Managed Forest Land Act
provincial and local governments on an unprecedent- Managed Forest (MF) owners on Galiano Island are
edly lengthy list of public policy developments. In fact, in the bizarre, and uniquely ugly, position of own-
PFLA Regulatory Committee members can’t recall a ing and caring for forest land on a beautiful island
time when the association’s been consulted (or, more where restrictive local government bylaws prevent
accurately, insisted on being consulted) on so many them from living legally in their forests. Not even
policy areas at once. one dwelling per parcel, some of which exceed
Here are a few highlights from our current public policy hundreds of acres.
activities: PFLA has found no other example of this kind of
extreme and hostile restriction in BC, Canada, or
1. Fire Prevention and Cost Sharing Agreements North America.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource
Operations – Protection Branch is reviewing its The Private Managed Forest Land (PMFL) Act is
operations; particularly, the financial aspects of Fire intended to foster stewardship of private forest land
Prevention Cost Sharing Agreements with BC’s forest by providing regulatory certainty, and maintaining
owners and other land managers. forest management.
The review process is in early stages and the details This is a provincial, not local, government priority.
are unclear, but the core issue is government’s con- The right to reside on MF land is a key component
cern about spending more money than it collects of the PMFL Act.
from program participants. In a recent legal challenge, the judge found that
A conversation with key stakeholders is in the the province’s intention to protect owners’ right to
works, and PFLA is involved and committed to reside on their land is abundantly clear in the
representing the perspective of private forest owners. PMFL Act; however, the legislation lacks the words
necessary to affirm the provincial jurisdiction over
2. Off Road Vehicles Act & Regulations forest management in the case of Galiano Island.
The government is in the process of regulating
The judge noted the necessity for the province to
off-road vehicles in BC.
correct this problem.
PFLA is engaged in the process with the objectives of:
Despite many years of communication from forest
· maintaining distinction for private land owners, this situation has not improved.
· fighting trespassing, environmental damage, PFLA finds local government interference of this
garbage dumping, arson, vandalism, theft and magnitude is extremely restrictive and a strong
associated problems disincentive to responsible forest stewardship.
· increasing government’s capacity to enforce the PFLA is working with Galiano MF owners and
law without eroding private property rights government. We look forward to seeing government
You can find more information about the ORV Vehicle do the right thing: change the wording to make the
Management Framework at: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/orv/ policy intent of the legislation undeniably clear.
Out and About with the PFLA
UBCM 2011 Convention 2011 State of the Island Community Dialogue Sessions
Economic Summit
We’re pleased to report the PFLA Healthy Forests–Healthy
information booth at the Union of The Vancouver Island Economic Communities has organized a series
British Columbia Municipalities Alliance (VIEA) is holding it’s of public meetings across the prov-
(UBCM) trade show was a huge 5th annual economic summit, ince to generate recommendations
success. The event was an excellent October 18th and 19th, 2011, at about forest land management
and productive opportunity for the Vancouver Island Convention in British Columbia. The PFLA is
PFLA to connect with, and inform, Centre in downtown Nanaimo, engaged in this process and commit-
members from all levels of govern- B.C. PFLA looks forward to sharing ted to representing the perspective of
ment, and the media, about private information about Managed Forests private forest landowners. We’ll con-
managed forest land in B.C. with the over 400 business and com- tinue to monitor recommendations,
munity leaders gathering to discuss as they emerge, and we encourage
Vancouver Island’s economic future. Managed Forest owners to partici-
pate in the dialogue sessions hap-
pening in your communities.
(2) Private Forest Matters – Fall 2011

3. PFLA Public Policy Developments Update Continued
4. Migratory Birds Convention Act – Regulation of implications for all landowners; particularly,
Incidental Take Managed Forest owners who conduct work in
The federal government was working on a model and around streams and stream crossings.
to regulate the incidental take of migratory birds: Historically, PFLA has pro-actively partnered with
options included BMPs and various permits. government to raise awareness and promote the
The intention was to provide all Canadian land value of responsible streamside management.
managers, who come into contact with migratory We continue to advocate strongly from the private
birds, with a clear and legal process, or permit, to land perspective.
comply with the stated provisions of the Migratory PFLA is closely involved in the current legislative
Birds Convention Act. review process, and committed to working
In October of 2010, the federal government with government to find a balance between
announced it would no longer work on regulations environment, community and commerce.
to permit the incidental take of migratory birds.
7. BC Log Export Policy Review
PFLA is working with the Canadian Private Forest BC’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource
Landowners Council (CPFLC), and other forest and Operations recently initiated another review of log
land management groups, from across Canada, to export policy.
advocate for private forest owners on this issue.
PFLA is engaged in this process and consistently
5. Species at Risk – BC Species at Risk Task Force lobbies, both federal and provincial governments,
The provincial government has established a task for the right of private forest owners to obtain fair
force to make recommendations regarding the value for our logs.
protection of species at risk in BC. Log export restrictions impact the value of our land
PFLA is engaged in this process and makes it a and our trees. The trees we invest considerable time
priority to help government understand the issue and resources in to plant, grow and harvest.
from a private land perspective. PFLA also strives to add balanced and factual
We are encouraged to report that the task force information to public discussion and media
recognizes private land is separate and distinct coverage surrounding this issue.
from public land, and also acknowledges the need Thanks for taking the time to read through the PFLA
for education and incentives. public policy highlights. While this is an exceptionally
Again, this is an ongoing policy process, and PFLA is busy time for the PFLA Regulatory Committee, we’re
in regular communication with government to ensure happy to be engaged with elected officials, ministry
the perspective of private forest owners is represented. staff, managed forest operators, and community
6. New Water Sustainability Act – Water Act members on so many levels.
Modernization Please let us know if you have any questions, comments
The province is in the process of modernizing the or concerns.
Water Act: a piece of legislation with significant
Happy Trees, Healthy Forests >> Cont’d from page 1
The workshop was an ideal environ- Planting, pruning, brushing,
ment for participants to network, weeding
exchange ideas, ask thoughtful ques- Fuel management and wildfire
tions, and engage in lively discussion prevention
on topics as wide-ranging as:
Managing minor crop species
Long-term forest management (e.g. White Pine)
planning Managing invasive species
Advance timber marketing (Scotch broom)
Harvesting: falling and process- And of course, the deer: What to
ing, log sorting and trucking do about the deer?
Road building (and unbuilding)
Thanks to Stuart Macpherson and
The art and science of culvert Phil Blanchard for organizing an-
design and installation other successful PMFLC workshop, and
Identifying and managing root rot thanks again to Darrell Frank for the
informative tour.
Private Forest Matters – Fall 2011 (3)

4. PFLA Community
Meetings:
Coming Soon to a
Town Near You
We’re taking this show on the road!
The PFLA is excited to announce
we’re organizing community meet-
ings across the province. The meet-
ings are an invaluable opportunity
for PFLA to meet face-to-face with
private forest landowners. You can
expect an update on PFLA activities,
policy development highlights and
a representative from the Protection
Branch will join us to discuss the
Participants from the PMFLC forestry workshop take in a lesson on log grading and provincial government’s Wildfire
marketing from TimberWest’s Geoff Martin at the Shoal Island log sort.
Agreements.
5 Tips to Help Capture the Best Most importantly, this is a chance
for PFLA to listen to your questions,
Value From Your Logs your concerns and your experiences
— an opportunity to gather input and
Next up at the Private Managed lengths. Find your buyer and ask suggestions that will help guide and
Forest Land Council (PMFLC) their preferred length before you direct the organization’s future efforts.
workshop? A trip to TimberWest’s harvest your timber. Harvesting to
We’ve run into some scheduling
Shoal Island log sort – nestled beside match the buyer’s preference gets
difficulties with our traveling
the bustling Catalyst pulp mill in the best value for your logs.
companions. What we know for sure
majestic Crofton, British Columbia. 3. Don’t leave your logs on the is that meetings are planned for:
Under the thoughtful tutelage of ground for too long. Think of your
Victoria
Geoff Martin, a log marketer from logs as “spoilable” fresh produce.
TimberWest, workshop participants The longer your logs lie on the Nanaimo
learned about marketing, manufac- ground the greater the chance Courtenay
turing, sorting and handling logs. bugs, water, rot and weather will Vancouver
cause damage and deteriorate the
A detour past the “sin bin” quickly Castlegar
value of your logs.
revealed just how important it Kelowna
is to take good care of your logs. 4. Don’t put your red alder trees
through a log processor. We promise to get back to you with
Ignorance can lead to disrespected,
Processors are efficient, but they the details just as soon as we iron
damaged and mistreated logs that
easily cause damage to red alder them out.
nobody wants.
logs. In the end, the damage to Thanks for taking the time to read
We put together a list of Geoff the logs decreases their value and through this edition of the PFLA
Martin’s Top 5 Tips to Help Capture negates the efficiency of the Private Forest Matters. We hope to
the Best Value From Your Logs (or, processor. A chainsaw is a much see you soon!
how to avoid the “sin bin”): better idea for maintaining the
1. Educate yourself and work with value of your red alder logs.
experts. There’s a lot to know and 5. Spend the time to love your logs!
learn about harvesting, handling, Visit us online. Let us
It takes up to 100 years to grow
manufacturing and marketing a marketable tree. That’s a lot of
know what you think.
timber. The more you know the time. It makes sense you’d spend
better position you’re in to get the YouTube:
some of that time making sure you www.youtube.com/user/PFLABC
best value for your logs. get the best value for your logs.
2. Know where your timber is going Facebook:
Thanks again to Geoff Martin for his www.facebook.com/PFLABC
before you harvest it. Different time, his knowledge and his passion
markets require different log for logs. Blog:
(4) Private Forest Matters – Fall 2011 www.plfa.bc.ca/blog