2016 Community Forest Indicators Report

Link to the Report 

Link to the News Release

The BC Community Forest Association is pleased to share the report of their 3^rd annual Community Forest Indicators Survey. The survey collects data on the economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits that community forests bring to their communities and to the province.

The survey results show how important community forests are to their local communities and regions. They generated an average of $1.9 million of economic activity in the reporting year. They contributed $257,000 on average in cash and in-kind donations, a significant boost to rural communities, most with populations of 3,000 or less.

By collecting data on 18 different indicators, the BCCFA has found a way to measure the unique and varied contributions that community forests make. 93% of the operating community forests in the BCCFA participated in the survey and nearly 50% are held by First Nations or a partnership between an Indigenous and non-Indigenous community.

Erik Leslie, President, BCCFA Community Forest Association describes how “The BCCFA Indicators report includes not just statistics and quantitative measures.  The report is also filled with dozens of stories that demonstrate the creative energy and innovation that we see in community forests across the province. 

Jim Atkinson, General Manager, McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest, said “The Indicators Survey shows the spectrum of what community forests can accomplish. Profitability for a community forest is measured by different metrics than used by industry. While profitability for a community forest can be measured in cash, no less important are more intangible benefits such as the long-term health and sustainability of our forest; recreation, employment and development opportunities for community members and harmony with all the other users of the forest.”

For more information contact:
Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director
jgunter@bccfa.ca
250 384 4110