On May 28, 2015, FSC Canada hosted a facilitated strategic discussion with the FSC Canada Board of Directors and selected chamber representatives to share and discuss issues related to Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) and Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICLs).
The purpose of the session was to share perspectives about this important topic and to:
- Gauge level of support for the FSC Canada’s planned technical and strategic direction for addressing IFLs and ICLs in Canada;
- Identify & discuss, concerns and challenges of IFLs / ICLs in Canada;
- Identify and discuss solutions and opportunities for managing IFLs / ICLs in Canada.
The information retained from this session is quite valuable and FSC Canada’s existing National Forest Management Standards and the International Generic Indicators will need to be elaborated to adequately manage for and safeguard Intact Forest Landscapes while upholding and respecting Aboriginal rights within Indigenous Cultural Landscapes and recognizing the importance of forests for rural communities and the Canadian economy.
With strategic guidance from FSC International, FSC Canada will continue to move forward with the work to address IFLs and ICLs in the new Forest Management Standard. Draft 1 of FSC Canada’s National Forest Management Standard will be made available for a 60-day public consultation in fall 2015 when stakeholders and Aboriginal Peoples will have an opportunity to review and comment on concepts and potential approaches for addressing these important topics.
A summary of the IFL/ICL strategic discussion can be found below.