The Government of British Columbia is making changes to give rural communities additional economic and land management opportunities, by allowing them to increase the size of their community forest. Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, made the announcement today at the BC Community Forest Association AGM in Burns Lake. “We want to make sure we’re providing a strong economic base for rural communities,” said Donaldson. “This change will help to give community forest operators more options to create local employment opportunities, and also benefit First Nations.” A community forest is a long-term agreement to manage Crown land that may be held by a local government, community group, First Nation or community-held corporation. … There are 57 community forests in the province.
