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Climate is a strong influence on forest and range lands in BC. It affects tree growth, productivity, and numerous resource values derived from these lands. Managing these resources in a changing climate poses tough challenges for forest and range managers.
The Ministry of Forests and Range is responding to climate change through a number of actions, including the Future Forest Ecosystem Initiative.
What’s New
- August 2011 – The Government of British Columbia has developed a Forest Carbon Offset Protocol (FCOP) to guide the design, development, quantification and verification of B.C forest carbon offsets from a broad range of forest activities on private and public land in B.C.
- July 2011 – Journal article showing projections of B.C.’s timber stocks and carbon balance to 2080. “Uncertainty of 21st century growing stocks and GHG balance of forests in British Columbia, Canada resulting from potential climate change impacts on ecosystem processes” published in Forest Ecology and Management Vol 262 Issue 5, September 2011.
- November 2010 – A new draft Forest Carbon Offset Protocol will guide development of offset projects on private and public land in B.C. The public review period closes on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011.
- August 2010 – Tree Species Vulnerability Study – Technical Report. This report by Mark Johnston et al. identifies how Canada's tree species will respond to a changing climate, which insects are likely to be most problematic, and what management options to consider for adaptation.
- June 2010 - Assisted Range and Population Expansion of Western Larch: Amendments to BC's Chief Forester Standards for Seed Use enables assisted range and population expansion of Western Larch for use as a climate change adaptation strategy.
- Zero Net Deforestation – British Columbia is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to introduce a zero net deforestation ("ZND") goal in legislation. The Zero Net Deforestation Act defines the key terms and sets out the reporting requirements for government.
- Wood First Initiative: Creating a Culture of Wood – Using more wood will help strengthen the province's forest-dependent communities and assist in meeting our climate change goals.
- BC's Adaptation to Climate Change – British Columbia's adaptation strategy provides a framework for addressing climate change impacts and adaptation.
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Tackle Climate Change – Use Wood 
September 2009. Produced by the BC Forestry Climate Change Working Group, this publication highlights how forests, wood products and sustainable forest management reduce carbon emissions.
- June 2009 – BC Forest Offset Protocol.
This protocol is now available for review. The comment period has been extended from July 10 to the end of July (Q&A).
- February 2009 – Adapting to Climate Change Newsletter. Contains news about the impacts of climate change on BC's forest and range ecosystems, and management approaches to enhance adaptation.
- Seminar Series: Climate Change and Forest Management: Join us on designated Thursdays at 11 AM Pacific time to hear about cutting edge science and modelling for climate change adaptation.
- August 2008 – Fall Amendments to Seed Transfer Standards. Proposed changes to seed transfer limits will address forest health and productivity impacts of climate change.
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