The BC forest sector is facing structural shifts that are limiting fibre supply on public lands and impacting rural communities throughout BC. Although not the only solution, private managed forest lands provide a vital avenue for sustainable, regulated timber production and economic stability, right in our backyard. They act as economic engines, balancing commercial enterprise with environmental stewardship to support local communities.

Private managed forest lands are the backbone of many regional economies in BC. While making up just 1% of BC’s land base, these Class 7 properties account for 32% of the coastal harvest and support nearly 5,000 jobs across harvesting, engineering, and equipment maintenance. Private managed forest landowners, 20,000 strong in BC, ensure that timber from private lands continues to flow to local mills, which otherwise struggle with the diminished timber supply from Crown lands.

“On private managed forest lands, domestic supply is the priority,” said Megan Hanacek, CEO of the Private Forest Landowners Association. “While log exports are permitted, they must first be offered to domestic manufacturers at domestic prices. Coastal harvest produces a range of log types, not all of which are suited to processing at domestic mills. International markets become an important outlet for logs that domestic mills decline.”

Under the Private Managed Forest Land Act, private managed forest landowners balance timber production with the preservation of critical environmental values, including drinking watersheds and wildlife habitats. Private managed forest landowners are also pioneering innovative climate solutions, including carbon programs that utilize climate finance to increase the carbon sequestration potential of our forests. 

Furthermore, private managed forests are actively managed for long-term value. Guided by the health, productivity, and resilience of the ecosystem over decades, private forest managers have a direct stake in protecting their land investments. This results in science-backed, proactive wildfire prevention strategies, ensuring these working forests are safeguarded against the growing threats of climate change.

Private managed forest lands consistently prove that economic viability and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand. Ultimately, a stable regulatory environment for all BC forest lands will ensure the Private Managed Forest program continues to attract participants and support BC communities for years to come.