BC Forest Practices Board

08/12/2026

Are you our next Board Member?

The Forest Practices Board is seeking one part-time Board member to help provide independent oversight of forest and range practices in British Columbia.

Board members bring knowledge, experience and an informed public perspective to the Board's work.

Key responsibilities include:
- Considering audit and investigation findings and making decisions on behalf of the Board
- Participating in Board meetings and planning sessions
- Advising the Chair on the Board's priorities and policies
- Representing the Board at meetings, conferences and other events

We are looking for a BC resident with an appropriate combination of education and experience in forestry, biology, environmental studies, natural resource management or a related field. Candidates should understand current forest and range issues, work respectfully with diverse perspectives and communicate effectively in public settings.

Apply by August 31, 2026.

Lear more and apply:
https://www.bcpublicsectorboardapplications.gov.bc.ca/s/noticeofpositionDetail?nop=J-0524

08/10/2026

🌲 Audit Field Work | Aug. 17–22

Forest Practices Board auditors will be in the field assessing biodiversity practices on areas managed by BCTS, North Island Community Forest and Western Forest Products.

📍 Port McNeill and Port Hardy are the principal communities.

🔎 Focus: wildlife tree retention areas & block reserves.

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will conduct a limited-scope compliance audit of stand-level biodiversity practices and block reserve management by BCTS and two forestry licensees in the North Island Natural Resource District, beginning Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.

08/07/2026

📸 Out in the field!

FPB auditors have been out in the field conducting an audit of three woodlot licences in the Thompson Rivers Natural Resource District. https://ow.ly/5gu650ZxOOW

Here are a few photos captured along the way! 🌲

07/29/2026

Audit Announcement

The Forest Practices Board will audit forest planning and practices on three woodlot licences in the Thompson Rivers Natural Resource District, beginning August 3, 2026.

Auditors will assess examine harvesting, roads and structures, silviculture, protection activities and associated planning.

For more info:

Fieldwork is scheduled for August 3 to 7, 2026. Auditors will assess forest planning and practices on three woodlots near Lac Le Jeune, Adams Lake and Tunkwa Lake.

07/28/2026

Audit Announcement

The Forest Practices Board will audit range planning and practices on four agreements in the Selkirk Natural Resource District, beginning August 2, 2026.

Auditors will examine whether approved range use plans are being followed and whether riparian areas, fish habitat, upland ecosystems, fencing and other range developments are being appropriately managed.

For more info:

Fieldwork is scheduled for August 2 to 7, 2026. Auditors will assess range planning and practices on four range agreements.

06/21/2026

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honour the histories, cultures, languages and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.

In British Columbia, forests, rangelands and waters hold deep cultural, ecological and community importance. The Forest Practices Board recognizes the importance of listening to Indigenous perspectives as part of our work as BC’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices.

Through our audits, investigations and complaint resolution work, we remain committed to respectful engagement, continuous learning and clear, fair and accountable reporting.

06/11/2026

🔙 Throwback Thursday

In 2012, the Forest Practices Board focused on two important issues affecting BC’s natural resources.

An audit of forest and range practices in two community watersheds found that range practices needed improvement to better meet legislative requirements and further reduce risks to water quality. https://ow.ly/3Oxv50Z8fkN

The Board also conducted a special investigation into old-growth forest protection, examining how well government land-use plans and forest licensees were meeting old-growth objectives. The investigation recommended that old-growth retention requirements be applied to other resource industries, not just forestry. https://www.bcfpb.ca/release-publications/releases/6691/

Looking back at the work that helped shape conversations around watershed protection and old-growth management in BC.

06/05/2026

📸 Flashback Friday

As natural resource development expanded across British Columbia, the Forest Practices Board broadened its audit program to look beyond traditional forestry operations.

The Board audited several non-traditional forestry operations, including two oil and gas companies and a ski-hill development , helping ensure forest and range practices met provincial requirements regardless of the industry involved.

06/04/2026

🔙 Throwback Thursday

As resource development expanded across northeastern BC, the Forest Practices Board took a closer look at the cumulative effects on forest resources through a special investigation. The findings, later released in 2011, highlighted the need for a provincial framework to better manage the combined impacts of development activities - https://www.bcfpb.ca/release-publications/releases/cumulative-effects-from-assessment-towards-management/

This was also a milestone year for the Board, with Al Gorley appointed as the Forest Practices Board's fourth chair.

06/04/2026

🌲 Our auditors are out and about near Hazelton to audit BC Timber Sales and timber sale licence holders operations in the Kispiox Timber Supply Area --- examining forest planning and practices, including harvesting, roads, silviculture, protection activities and associated planning, to assess compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.

Learn more: https://www.bcfpb.ca/release-publications/releases/forest-practices-board-to-audit-bcts-operations-near-hazelton/