\n“Ensuring responsible resource use today, while maintaining the health of the land for future generations.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The board said it recognized that management of lands and resources in the public interest requires more than a collection of activities and standards prescribed in law. In addition to responsible practices today, a long-term outlook is required that sustains the full range of resources for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Five Principles of Stewardship<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The following five principles build on the board\u2019s definition of stewardship and, together, these provide a vision for stewardship of forests and rangelands in BC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. PLANNING IS COMPREHENSIVE AND BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Planning that demonstrates stewardship is ongoing and charts a path for management and onthe-ground practices over time. Planning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- establishes a clear hierarchy of goals and objectives, with measurable or verifiable outcomes at appropriate scales, including the landscape scale;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- reflects the complexity of ecological conditions and processes, while remaining feasible to implement;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- incorporates information that is up-to-date, comprehensive, and reliable;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- coordinates and integrates the activities of tenure holders and other resource users over time (this includes coordination and collaboration among multiple tenure holders operating in the same area);<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- considers potential risks and tradeoffs among competing resource uses and values to facilitate decisions regarding those trade-offs (this includes assessment of cumulative effects); and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- acknowledges future environmental, social and economic uncertainties and anticipates vulnerabilities, to maintain options and benefits over the long term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING ARE<\/strong>\u00a0TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIVE\u00a0TO INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
To manage forests and rangelands effectively on behalf of the public requires engagement with other interests and a high level of transparency through the decision-making process. The public should have the opportunity to provide input and to feel that their input is heard and considered. Therefore, planning and decision-making ensures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- resource data are readily available, so the public is able to participate effectively in planning and management at appropriate times;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- the public is consulted in a manner that is proactive and effective, and collaboration is sought where opportunities arise;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- the public is provided with access to professional assessments and other relevant information; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- the rationales for management decisions that potentially impact the public are documented and shared.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. PRACTICES ON THE GROUND<\/strong>\u00a0SUSTAIN ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL VALUES.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
On-the-ground forest and range practices that reflect stewardship demonstrate a clear understanding of landbase characteristics and the values present. Practices will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- maintain, enhance or restore the long-term productive capacity of ecosystems;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- maintain ecological structures, composition and functions across the landscape and over time, informed by natural disturbance regimes and influences, such as climate change; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- recognize and manage risks to all values, including environmental, social, cultural and economic, at relevant scales.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
4. MANAGEMENT INCORPORATES MONITORING AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND IS ADAPTIVE TO NEW INFORMATION<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Management should be based on up-to-date knowledge and adapted to reflect the evolving understanding of the interplay between the environment and use of natural resources. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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