[December 6, 2016] The Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL) Policy Motion 65, approved by FSC at the 2014 General Assembly, is designed to ensure that large intact landscapes are protected through the development, modification, or strengthening of indicators within Standards. A key component of the Motion is to take into account cultural, social and economic values of Indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities, including the provision of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). The Aboriginal Chamber of FSC Canada introduced the concept of Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICLs) as one tool for implementing the requirement of FPIC stated within the Policy Motion.
Since then, FSC Canada in partnership with experts, stakeholders, and Certification Holders have been working on developing a technical response for how IFLs and ICLs will be incorporated into Canada’s new FSC Standard.
Although still in early stages of development, the product of these efforts to date are summarized in 2 new documents, which are now released for public review and comment:
- Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL) Technical Working Document, and
- Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICL) Discussion Paper.
These documents accompany Draft 2 of the national forest management standard and the FPIC Guidance document, which were released on November 24, 2016.
To get involved:
1. Review Draft 2 and accompanying documents (FPIC Guidance, IFL Technical Working Document and ICL Discussion Paper) and provide comments.
2. Watch an information video
FSC Canada has put together ‘FSC Forest Talks’ - an information series to help you walk through proposed changes and updates to FSC Canada's draft national forest management standard. Watch the following videos:
- Caribou
- Intact Forest Landscapes
- Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (to be released in December, 2016)
3. Participate in FSC’s Q&A session
Join FSC Canada staff during the consultation period in for an online Question & Answer session to help answer your questions about Draft 2.
FSC Canada encourages all interested parties to review the standard and accompanying documents during the consultation period which commenced on November 24, 2016.