Forest Landscape Planning.
Creditt: Destination Canada and Brian Caissie
Help shape the decisions that affect recreation access
Forest Landscape Plans will guide forest management in parts of British Columbia for a decade or more. Although they are not recreation plans, they can influence forest roads, bridges, trails, recreation sites, waterways, scenic quality and public access.
Participating in Forest Landscape Planning processes is one of the most important ways recreation groups can help ensure these values are understood and considered before decisions are made.
Recreation groups have valuable local knowledge, but planning teams may not know about every trail, access route, recreation site or informal use area. ORCBC’s guide explains how groups can identify important recreation values, prepare useful information and participate effectively.
Why Forest Landscape Planning matters
Forest Landscape Plans guide long-term forest management within defined areas of B.C. They can influence timber harvesting, road maintenance and road decommissioning.
They will not establish new trails or recreation areas. However, the decisions they guide can affect:
access to trails, lakes, rivers and backcountry areas
trail and route connectivity
forest roads, bridges, trailheads and launch areas
scenic quality and the character of recreation experiences
water, wildlife and ecosystem health
public safety and emergency access
Recreation is one of the values that must be considered under the Forest and Range Practices Act.
Legally established recreation sites and trails may be represented through Recreation Sites and Trails BC or local governments. However, planning teams may not know about every local trail, access route, recreation site or informal use area. Recreation groups therefore need to clearly identify these places, explain why they matter and describe how forest management decisions could affect them.
What recreation groups should do
Find out whether a plan is underway: Watch for surveys, public meetings, draft plans and submission deadlines.
Connect with other recreation groups: A coordinated regional voice may be more effective than several groups participating separately.
Identify important recreation values: Document trails, recreation sites, access roads, bridges, kayak launch areas, trailheads, waterways, scenic areas and connections between recreation areas.
Gather evidence: Use maps, visitor information, volunteer hours, economic information, photographs and letters of support.
Identify potential impacts: Consider road closures, bridge removals, harvesting near trails, loss of connectivity, visual impacts, water concerns and public safety.
Ask for practical outcomes: Be clear about what you want the planning team to consider or change.
Build relationships early: Connect with First Nations, the provincial planning team, forest licensees, local governments, Recreation Sites and Trails BC and other affected organizations.
Participate through the formal process: Complete surveys, attend engagement sessions and submit information through the official channels.
What kinds of outcomes can groups request?
Forest Landscape Planning generally will not stop harvesting altogether. However, groups can request practical measures to reduce impacts on recreational access and experiences.
Examples include:
retaining an important access road or bridge
providing advance notice before road deactivation
modifying harvesting near a trail or recreation site
maintaining trail and route connectivity
considering visual quality in high-use recreation areas
timing operations to reduce conflicts during peak recreation periods
establishing ongoing communication with recreation organizations
exploring partnerships or other arrangements for road maintenance
Requests are more useful when they are specific, supported by evidence and connected to a clearly identified recreation value. Instead of asking broadly to “protect recreation,” describe:
the place or feature that matters
who uses it and why
the impact you are concerned about
the practical outcome you are requesting
Is Forest Landscape Planning happening in your area?
Check the Province of B.C.’s list of active Forest Landscape Plans to find out whether a process is underway in your region. Each project is being developed with participating First Nations and may be at a different stage of planning or public engagement. Watch for surveys, community engagement sessions, draft plans and submission deadlines.
Current projects include:
100 Mile House
Bulkley-Morice
Cariboo-Chilcotin
Cranbrook
East Vancouver Island
Kootenay Lake
Lakes Resiliency
Mackenzie
Quesnel
Sunshine Coast
Thompson River Watersheds
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Tree Farm Licence 37
Tree Farm Licence 44
West Central Vancouver Island
Featured opportunity: Kootenay Lake
The Kootenay Lake Forest Landscape Planning process is currently identifying important forest values. Recreation groups and community members can complete the Forest Values Survey by August 22, 2026.
Upcoming engagement sessions include:
July 15 in Nelson
July 18 in Creston
August 15 in Kaslo
Feedback must be submitted through the survey or shared at an engagement session to be included in the formal process.
Stay informed about upcoming opportunities
Subscribe to ORCBC’s newsletter for updates on Forest Landscape Planning surveys, engagement sessions and other land-use planning opportunities that may affect outdoor recreation in B.C.
How ORCBC can help
ORCBC can support recreation groups by:
explaining the planning process
connecting organizations in the same region
helping identify recreation values
providing mapping and submission templates
reviewing draft input
supporting regional coordination
raising broader recreation concerns with the Province
Is a Forest Landscape Planning process underway in your region? Contact ORCBC before the engagement deadline so we can help you prepare.