The Ministry of Forests is inviting Bulkley Valley residents to be involved in the development of the Bulkley-Morice Forest Landscape Plan (FLP) during the coming months.
“What excites me about forest landscape plans is they provide the opportunity to bring community together,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “To the residents in the Bulkey and Morice areas, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of forests in our province.”
Three in-person open-house engagement sessions are planned so people can learn more about forest landscape planning and comment on its development.
Sessions are scheduled for:
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location:
Granisle Senior Centre
Chapman Street
Granisle
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location:
Houston Community Hall
2302 Butler Ave.
Houston
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location:
Smithers Old Church
3704 1st Ave.
Smithers
The plan is being co-developed with several First Nations, including the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Gitxsan Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Witset First Nation, the Office of Wet’suwet’en and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Surrounding communities, subject-matter experts and forest licensees are going to provide input as well.
According to the Ministry of Forests press release, "FLPs are a new approach to forest stewardship that establish clear direction for the management of old-growth forests, biodiversity, ecosystem health, climate change, watershed health, wildfire risk and other forest-related values," they wrote.
Their press release states their goal is to create a plan that will:
- "Manage the values placed on forest ecosystems by First Nations."
- "Support the protection and conservation of the environment."
- "Support production and supply of timber in the forest landscape area."
- "Manage the values placed on ecosystems by local communities."
- "Prevent, mitigate and adapt to impacts caused by significant disturbances to forests and forest health."
