Community forests in British Columbia: Models that work

Abstract

Two British Columbia community forests, each a municipal forest operation, are located in the Districts of Mission and North Cowichan, respectively. Both have management histories going back over forty years. This paper presents details of these community forests, focussing on background and history, forest management programs, and goals and benefits. The forests are contrasted in terms of tenure and ecological conditions. They are found similar in terms of local control and overall management thrusts. The paper concludes with thoughts about the benefits of community control over nearby forest lands, and about the need for communities to form partnerships with industry and government as they seek to establish new community forests.