Updated Aug. 27, 2026

Summary

• The Province is exploring a modern forest management model for selected areas of B.C. that builds on the cumulative work of recent forestry reviews
• The vision is built around a three-zone model for public forests that supports a more co-ordinated approach to land use, stewardship, and economic priorities that integrate with ongoing planning processes
• The intended outcome is to demonstrate how this model can improve predictability for industry, workers, First Nations, local communities, conservation values and wildlife
• In fall 2026, the Province will begin to explore the three-zone approach in select candidate areas

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The Province is taking steps to explore a Working Forest Landscape Model that builds on the cumulative work of recent forestry reviews to advance a modernized forest-management system in British Columbia.

The proposed model consists of three management zones that will support a more co-ordinated approach to land use, stewardship and economic priorities that integrates with ongoing planning processes.

The three zone types are:

• A Working-Forest Zone that would prioritize the production of timber for commercial harvesting
• A Multiple-Use Zone focused on the restoration and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem functions that can support multiple uses
• A Conservation and Protection Zone that ensures long-term ecosystem function and biodiversity through protected habitat and conservation networks

“Our forests are changing and that means our forest management system must evolve,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “This is about planning first, focusing on better management and eliminating permitting obstacles. If we establish a clear vision for our working forests through long-term planning, we can reduce unnecessary red tape, improve land stewardship, create greater predictability for workers and communities, and build a forest sector that is more competitive and value-added.”

By establishing clear, long-term objectives across three interconnected landscape management zones, the government can better support sustainable forestry, strengthen biodiversity and ecosystem health, improve drought and wildfire resilience and provide greater confidence for long-term investment.

“By planning across regions instead of making forestry-related decisions one at a time, we can better monitor and protect biodiversity and ecosystem health across the entire landscape,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “By conserving healthy forests, we are protecting wildlife habitat and supporting watershed health, which is integral to keeping everyone healthy and supporting our economy.”

The Province will be starting work with First Nations to identify early candidate areas. Targeted engagement with industry, local governments and environmental groups will help in the early implementation. In fall 2026, the Province will announce the areas selected to begin testing the three-zone approach.

A more stable, predictable system

B.C.’s forest management system often requires operators and decision-makers to pursue multiple objectives at the same time, leading to increased complexity, costs and uncertainty for the forest sector while missing public expectations for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Approvals for forestry activities as well as restoration and conservation efforts are frequently delayed due to a system that manages permitting on a case-by-case basis. By providing greater clarity on where forestry activities will occur and where conservation will occur, this model will support jobs, communities and sustainable forest management while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health outcomes.     

Over time, this will allow the Province to:

• identify where sustainable timber production will be prioritized in order to stabilize an economic land base that contributes to an annual harvest of 45 million cubic metres and provides investor confidence in the forestry sector
• demonstrate measurable improvements in restoring and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem function in the multiple-use zone in a way that also supports some resource development
• demonstrate increased conservation of critical biodiversity values, restoration and ecological resilience

The model has been developed to work alongside forest landscape plans, land-use plans and other planning initiatives. It explores how a zonation approach could provide greater clarity to existing planning initiatives to support a stable and competitive forest sector as well as long-term sustainability objectives. The model would set broad landscape-level objectives to clarify where and how economic and conservation goals would be achieved, while detailed management direction can continue to be developed through existing planning processes and First Nations-led initiatives. 

The model builds on several years of forestry modernization planning, including the Old Growth Action Plan, BC Timber Sales Review, advice from the Provincial Forest Advisory Council and the recently released report from the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force. These initiatives recognize the need for a modern forest management system that strengthens competitiveness, advances reconciliation, improves resource stewardship and provides greater economic stability for people in B.C.

Quick Facts:

• The initiative is being co-led by the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, reflecting the Province’s commitment to integrated, landscape-level planning that balances economic, environmental and cultural values.
• Forestry remains one of British Columbia’s largest resource sectors, supporting thousands of jobs throughout the province.

Learn More:

• Public updates on the model can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/working-forest-landscape-model
• To read about land-use plans, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/crown-land-water/land-use-planning
• To learn more about forest landscape plans, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/forest-landscape-plans

A backgrounder follows.