The Private Forest Landowners Association (PFLA) concluded a two-day conference and field tour in Victoria, BC earlier this month. The conference theme, Beyond Borders: Collaborating For Success, brought together experts from across BC and North America to foster connections and discuss topics critical to private forest land management.

Attendees engaged in productive field visits and inspiring presentations including by keynote, Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston, who thanked PFLA members for their ongoing commitment to sustainable forest management on private forest lands. The topics discussed at the conference included climate change adaptation, wildfire management, and relationship building with First Nation partners.

“The Private Forest Landowners Association represents a diverse membership of managed forest owners across BC who are leaders in forest innovation and passionate about the responsible stewardship of BC’s private forest lands,” said Megan Hanacek, CEO of the Private Forest Landowners Association. “Our annual conference event is a chance to highlight best management practices that not only help propel innovative forest management but also position private forest landowners as good neighbours with adjacent landowners.”

There are an estimated 20,000 private forest owners in BC. Although private forest land accounts for a small percentage of the province’s land base (2%), it plays a significant role in the lives of British Columbians.

For more information about the 2024 PFLA Conference, including the speaker list, visit www.pfla.bc.ca.