SFM Criteria and Indicators Matrix On-line
A matrix of 3000 scientifically reviewed indicators related to British Columbia relevant SFM criteria was prepared by Dr. Gordon Hickey and Dr. John Innes as part of the foundation project "Scietific Review and Gap Analysis." Project partners determined in February 2005 that this matrix may be useful to people in British Columbia who are developing forest management plans that require criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. Rather than publish the matrix as a series of tables, it was decided it would be most useful as a searchable, on-line database. This project will oversee the design and implementation of this searchable on-line Criteria and Indicators Matrix, which will be used in association with the final report from the foundation project (report available at: http://www.forrex.org/publications/forrexseries/fs17.pdf [2.0 MB]).

Establishment of British Columbia Case Studies for the Common Ground Project
This project will identify four potential areas for case studies in implementing criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management in British Columbia. A range of different sites will be chosen to reflect the geographic variety of the province and the different forms of tenure in British Columbia. Efforts will concentrate on (but not be restricted to) those areas where there are already substantial amounts of data. While major licensees have initiated the project, the case studies will include examples of small-scale forestry, since an increasing proportion of the allowable annual cut (AAC) is being devoted to alternative tenures. A feasibility assessment will be conducted on these four case studies using the 200 indicators. At the same time, the project will continue with progress made in identifying a short set of potential indicators. The use of each of the 200 indicators short-listed to date will be summarized, and this will be supplemented (where appropriate) with constituent input, which will involve a public-input process on the short-listed indicators.

Constituent Input into British Columbia Common Indicators
In 2005, Dr. Gordon Hickey and Dr. John Innes worked with a team of scientists to review and prepare a set of sustainable forest management indicators for British Columbia. This scientifically prepared set of 200 indicators was presented in February at the Common Ground for Criteria and Indicators Forum and is now available in a published final report here. The Forum served as a focus group for reviewing the work scientists, government officials, and the forest industry have done so far on criteria and indicators. Feedback from these focus groups recommended a more thorough review by key constituents of sustainable forest management. This project will oversee the design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of constituent feedback on the reduced set of scientifically prepared indicators. Feedback will be used, along with the results from the case studies (see above), to produce a common indicator set for British Columbia.

On behalf of the Common Ground steering committee we invite you to review any or all of the chapters and complete a short survey. Questionnaire results will be compiled and all anonymous responses will be confidential. Click here to download the reports.

1. Project Report to the Common Ground Group on the Indicator Review and Associated Case Studies.

Informing SFM and C&I Investment Strategies for British Columbia
The B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range, throught the Forest Investment Account, contributes to sustainable forest management objectives through a variety of program investments. The Deputy Minister of Forests and Range and the Forest Investment Council are responsible for achieving these goals through a variety of program investments, notably the Land Base Investment Program and the Small Tenures Program. The BC Ministry of Forests and Range produces the State of the Forest Report, the B.C. Ministry of Environment contributes to the State of the Environment Report, and the FRPA Resource Evaluation Program (FREP) reports on progress against provincial objectives as stated in the Forest and Range Practices Act. The Forest Practices Board uses indicators to conduct and report on forest practices audits, and the forest industry uses criteria and indicators to develop and monitor stewardship and forest management plans. The purpose of this project is to participate in and help inform the development of sustainable forest management as well as criteria and indicator investment strategies for British Columbia that will help improve both investment and management decisions.

Extension and Communications
One objective of the initiative is to increase the understanding and use of criteria and indicator knowledge and tools. Through extension and education, existing information on this topic will be synthesized and provided in various extension formats, including niche libraries, written summaries, on-line tools, and educational formats. The focus for this year will be extending results from foundation projects.

1. Criteria and Indicator Initiatives in British Columbia: A Dialogue on Science, Experience, and Innovation.
   Click on the above link to access the forum proceedings in PDF format.

Governance and Program Management
Another objective of the initiative is to improve efficiency, collaboration, and co-ordination of the development of solutions linked to criteria and indicators. This project will oversee the co-ordination, financial management, communications, and knowledge management for the initiative. FORREX will co-ordinate the steering committee, communicate with various collaborators and interested parties, manage project funds, and facilitate the production of progress reporting.

To find out more about the Common Ground Initiative or to participate, contact:
Chris Hollstedt at chris.hollstedt@forrex.org
Bruce Fraser at bruce.fraser@gov.bc.ca
John Dunford at john.dunford@tolko.com