Public Values

Introduction to the PFLA and the Best Management Practices Program

WHAT IS THE PFLA?

The PFLA is a not for profit society of large and small landowners from across BC promoting responsible forest stewardship on BC's private forest lands. The PFLA represents owners of over 96 per cent of Private Managed Forest land in BC. PFLA members are also committed to protecting the key public environmental values of fish, water, soils and critical wildlife habitat.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING - PFLA Best Management Practices (BMP) Program
Developed by private forest owners and operators, for private forest owners and operators

Our education and training program was initially conceived in 1997 and developed for forest owners, managers, and operators, by forest landowners, managers, and operators, and embraces the PFLA's mission:

To promote responsible forest stewardship on British Columbia's private forest lands.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Ensure regulatory compliance for program participants' operations;
• Support program participants in their efforts to continually improve forest stewardship performance;
• Develop innovative and cost effective solutions and make informed decisions;
• Initiate and develop technology and information transfer.

PRINCIPLES

Raising Awareness, Commitment to Continual Improvement, Accountability

The approach is: Raise awareness about key public environmental values, provide good options and networking opportunities and encourage people to adopt, develop and improve locally appropriate solutions. To be successful the process relies on accountability, responsibility and a commitment to continual improvement in the protection of key public environmental values.

KEY ELEMENTS

1. The PFLA Best Management Practices Handbook

• The cornerstone of the BMP program. Easy to use handbook and regulatory resource, takes the owner through logical steps from assessment and planning through to implementation, monitoring and continual improvement

2. Training Workshops

• A typical BMP Workshop includes a review of relevant legislation and regulation both administrative and operational requirements, a review the importance of risk management and due diligence, and a field session:
  • Varied, tailored to satisfy local requirements and demand
  • Short 'tailgate' sessions up to multiple days
  • Agency involvement in training sessions provides regulatory perspective

3. PFLA Staff and Peer support

• PFLA offers staff support to regular members.

4. Member Updates

• Seasonally appropriate management reminders, Regulatory updates.

5. PFLA Website

• Posting for issue papers, position statements, contacts, upcoming events, FAQ's
• Educational resource for members, government agency personnel and public.

PFLA Mission

• Promote responsible forest stewardship on BC's private forest lands;
• promote government policy which is fair, environmentally sound and fiscally responsible;
• protect the rights of private property owners and seek compensation if landowner's rights to manage are constrained by government policy;
• promote government policy that encourages investment on private forest lands, including incentives to grow trees.

PFLA MEMBERSHIP

Regular membership is open to individuals and companies who own land designated by the BC Assessment Authority as Managed Forest. By joining as a Regular member, individuals and companies commit to following the PFLA BMP program. Supporting membership is available to anyone who supports the objectives of the Association. A Supporting member cannot vote, but does receive all other rights.

ADDITIONAL PFLA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Advocacy

• Representation to local, provincial and federal governments;
• Information sharing and peer support, annual general meeting, forestry field tours.

Regulatory Support

• Supporting forest owners to practice responsible forest stewardship on their lands;
• Education and training, and continual improvement of the PFLA BMP program and handbook;
• On-site advice concerning forest practices, technical, and BMP information;
• Liaison with federal and provincial government regulatory agencies;
• Preferred rates for seminars, workshops and field trips.

Communication

• Regular newsletters, updates on activities, education and training materials, events, advertising
• Website:
  • Instant e-mail notification of frequently updated content
  • Private forestry news, press releases, publications, discussion material
  • Private forest land facts and information, links to key legislation, government agencies
     

For further information, please contact:

Rod Bealing, Executive Director
Private Forest Landowners Association
Phone (250) 381-7565
Fax (250) 381-7409