Forest Stewardship

Forest Stewardship Plan

A Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) is a legal document required by the provincial government which outlines how a licensee will manage all the resources and values within their tenured forest area. The FSP outlines strategies and desired results for conserving and protecting 11 forest values defined in the Forest and Range Practices Act: soil, timber, wildlife, fish, water, biodiversity, cultural heritage resources, resource features, recreation resources, visual quality, and forage and associated plant communities. The FSP strategies must be consistent with government objectives for forest values and must be measurable and verifiable. All forest licensees must have authorization from the government before they can harvest timber or build roads. This is achieved by submitting a FSP to the government for approval which then allows licensees to apply for site level permits and authorizations to carry out harvesting operations.

Previously, the Logan Lake Community Forest operated under other major tenure holder FSPs that operated in the same general area. In recent years it became clear that the community forest had matured and was ready to take their own strategic planning and management to the next level. In 2017, we initiated a FSP process to identify strategies and results that reflected the community’s values and vision for sustainable forest management. An Open House was held in March of 2017 where many local residents, First Nations communities, and stakeholders provided their input. Working in collaboration with other resource values on the land base, the Logan Lake Community Forest submitted their FSP to the provincial government in 2018. The FSP was approved on May 29, 2020 and made effective for a five (5) year period commencing June 1, 2020.

View Our Forest Stewardship Plan

Forest Management Plan

The Forest Management Plan includes a set of values, objectives, indicators and targets that address the environmental, economic, and social aspects of forest management of the Logan Lake Community Forest. This includes a land use planning process through a series of analysis and field assessments of our forest tenure. Below is a brief overview on some of the main management objectives outlined in the Logan Lake Community Forest Management Plan.

View Our Full Forest Management Plan

Social, Economic and Environmental

The forest lands that we manage make an important contribution to the quality of life for many people in the town of Logan Lake and the surrounding communities by providing a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits. We are committed to professional and sustainable forest management and respect for all forest values. We work to develop resource plans that demonstrate innovative and sensitive approaches that are ecologically suitable, economically feasible, and socially acceptable.

Activities that support these objectives are:

Maintaining or improving the health and productivity of forest ecosystems and biological diversity;
Actively promoting stakeholder and public participation through open communication;
Respecting and recognizing established Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights;
Providing for safeguards to the health and safety of employees, contractors and the public in our operations;
Complying with relevant forest management legislation and policies;
Evaluating our forest management performance through internal and external audits and reviews; and
Increasing our knowledge and expertise through active participation in the BC Community Forest Association. This includes participation in the Annual Indicators Report which measures the benefits that community forests generate, with firsthand stories of success in which Logan Lake Community Forest has been highlighted over several years.

In 2019, the Logan Lake Community Forest was honored to be awarded the Robin Hood Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Forestry with an accompanying grant of $10,000. This award is given to recipients who best exemplify values in innovation and leadership in land management, building and maintaining social license, involvement with the local community and First Nations, and providing social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits. We were recognized for the economic benefits that have gone directly back to the District of Logan Lake, as well as being a leader in wildfire management by completing extensive fuel management treatments.

Timber Harvest & Forest Health

The Logan Lake Community Forest strives to enhance timber quality and harvest while minimizing negative environmental or ecological impacts, which in turn promotes healthy forests. Over the years our Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) has varied in response to disturbances on the land base, most notably the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, and previous forest management decisions. The tenured area of the Logan Lake Community Forest is 16,723 hectares with an allowable annual cut (AAC) of 24,000 m3.

In 2018, the Logan Lake Community Forest invested in LiDAR data over the entire tenure area to provide an enhanced vegetation inventory and improve our understanding of the current condition of the land base. In light of this new information and updates to forest management since the AAC was set, the Logan Lake Community Forest is currently reviewing their timber supply to support long-term sustainable forest management decisions.

Wildfire, pests and diseases are currently the most visible threats to the health of the Logan Lake Community Forest. There are additional pressures on the land base due to climate change such as increased drought stress and changes in the frequency and intensity of natural disturbances like wildfire. We actively manage these concerns through the lens of forest sustainability and best available scientific information.

Reforestation

The Logan Lake Community Forest manages reforestation efforts consistent with the current methods and standards accepted by the provincial government. We strive to have all stands planted in a cutblock declared “free growing” within 15 years of harvest and are committed to monitoring regenerating stands for such concerns as disease and competition. The type of reforestation system selected is driven by the existing forest composition, forest health issues, site conditions, harvest method, stand structure objectives, stand level biodiversity objectives, and landscape objectives. Our reforestation practices and strategies are outlined in our Forest Stewardship Plan.

Cultural Assessments

A cultural heritage resource is defined as an object, site or location of a traditional societal practice that is of historical, cultural or archaeological significance to British Columbia, a community or an Aboriginal People (Forest Act). Cultural heritage resources are the focus of a traditional use by an Aboriginal People that is of continuing important to that People (Forest Planning and Practices Regulation). In addition, the Heritage Conservation Act recognizes the historical, cultural, scientific, spiritual and educational value of archaeological sites to First Nations and Indigenous Peoples. First Nations help to protect these sites by contributing traditional knowledge and values.

The Logan Lake Community Forest maintains on-going communications with local First Nations communities for all operations, activities and initiatives to ensure respectful and appropriate management of First Nations values. We support our First Nations partners in completing field work and reporting for Archaeological Impact Assessments and Cultural Heritage Resource Assessments when they are required on our proposed activities.

First Nations Engagement

The Logan Lake Community Forest is committed to fostering meaningful relationships with the 28 unique First Nations groups and communities with territory where our community forest tenure area is located. Our efforts go beyond the referral process, field reviews and implementation of report recommendations for all of our activities related to roads and cutblocks. We have expanded our engagement to include more strategic discussions with communities to learn how we can foster deeper relationships and build lasting partnerships founded on trust and open communication. This includes engaging with First Nations communities during project conception, development and implementation in order to thoughtfully integrate First Nations values and management practices as appropriate, and identify contracting and partnership opportunities.

FireSmart & Wildfire Management

FireSmart and Community Wildfire Protection Planning

FireSmart & Wildfire Management

In 2003, unprecedented wildfires in British Columbia became the catalyst for strategic and operational fuel management treatments for the District of Logan Lake. This required creative and open minds throughout the process to create a more “FireSmart” community. Starting in 2004, the District began working on removing the fuel created by the Mountain Pine Beetle, treating 180 hectares of dead standing lodgepole pine which made a significant improvement in the extreme wildland urban interface conditions.

Since 2006, a full suite of wildfire plans, prescriptions and treatments were in place which utilized a range of strategies and tactics. This included employing qualified wildland fire professions, training and employing local youth, and completing commercial harvesting with machinery or hand treatments to space, prune, pile, burn, or employ prescribed fires. In addition, the Logan Lake Community Forest has supported the District of Logan Lake with their Community Wildfire Protection Planning initiatives which has resulted in wildfire risk reduction treatments occurring on municipal land and within the Logan Lake Community Forest tenure area.

Wildfire treatments evolve over time and often require multiple entries to ensure fuels do not build up significantly to support catastrophic fires. While significant and important work has been completed so far, wildfire management is an ongoing process that requires constant consideration and inclusion in our planning. In 2013, Logan Lake was recognized for a decade of hard work by FireSmart Canada with a Community Protection Achievement award. Elected officials of the community and dedicated citizens have been, and continue to be, the driving force behind FireSmart initiatives.

Fish & Wildlife

Resident fish and wildlife species habitat within the Logan Lake Community Forest are carefully considered, consistent with the objectives set by government. Prior to road and harvesting activities, assessments and preservation of fish habitat and stream works to support fish populations are untaken. Wildlife habitat areas, including critical deer, moose, and other species at risk, are carefully considered when planning and conducting forest activities. We incorporate site specific management practices such as wildlife tree and patch retention to provide for species and habitat diversity. These strategies are outlined in our Forest Stewardship Plan.

Water

Water is a precious commodity, and the Logan Lake Community Forest manages its harvesting operations and planning to protect water quality and quantity. Our management practices carefully consider the appropriate placement of stream crossings, proper road constructions and maintenance procedures, and harvesting practices to sustain the integrity of lakes, wetlands and streams in the Logan Lake area.

Recreation

Forestry activities are planned and conducted in a manner that will not detract from the long-term recreational enjoyment of community forest users. Recreation resources are conserved to ensure that the objectives for recreation sites, trails and interpretive forest sites are adhered to. There is an extensive network of designated and non-designated recreational trails within the Logan Lake Community Forest, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing, as well as an expansive off-road vehicle (ORV) trail network. All trails and recreation sites are considered in our development and planning activities.

Tourism & Education

Tourism & Education

Tourism is a major growth industry in the province and presents an opportunity for increased revenue for the community. Logan Lake is interested in expanding their tourism base and has proactively pursued forest related activities including cross country skiing and the attraction of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) users. In recent years, the strategic location of trails to link community attractions and promote forestry-based learning has been initiated to support the District's slogan Discover our Nature. As well, having the community forest next to town provides endless learning opportunities for local students and after-school programs.

Forest Stewardship

Forest Stewardship Plan

Forest Management Plan