The New Forest Act: Fixing Forestry in British Columbia
Date: June 11
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:
Campbell River United Church
415 Pinecrest Road, Campbell River, BC
Event Details
- Free public event
- Donations welcome
- Open to all
Vancouver Island Tour Sponsors
Sentinel Educational Foundation and the Watershed Sentinel magazine are the sponsors of the Vancouver Island leg of the 2026 New Forest Act Roadshow. Their support is helping bring public education about forest policy reform to communities across Vancouver Island.
About This Event
This is a focused public presentation on the New Forest Act – a legislative proposal to replace British Columbia’s current forestry system.
The session will clearly explain:
- What is actually happening in BC’s forests
- Why the current system is no longer working
- The structural changes needed to fix it
- How the New Forest Act framework works in practice
This is not a panel or a general discussion.
It is a direct presentation followed by Q&A.
What You’ll Learn
The New Forest Act introduces a different way of managing forests:
Protect – Restore – Harvest
- Protect what must remain intact
- Restore what has been degraded
- Harvest where ecosystems can support it
This approach is designed to:
- Reduce risk from wildfire, flooding, and drought
- Stabilize long-term timber supply
- Support jobs and local economies
- Align forest management with ecological limits
Private Forest Land (PMFLA)
The New Forest Act includes reforms to how private managed forest lands are regulated under the Private Managed Forest Land Act (PMFLA). It does not change land ownership or remove private property rights. It focuses on aligning forest management on these lands with basic ecological standards to protect watersheds, reduce risk, and ensure long-term stability.
Presenters
Dave Weaver
Retired Forestry Professional
Dave Weaver has 37 years of experience in British Columbia’s forestry sector, working across industry, consulting, and government. His career includes field forestry with MacMillan Bloedel, forest consulting and applied ecology instruction in the northern interior, and 12 years with the BC Ministry of Forests developing silviculture policy and training in alternatives to clearcutting.
He now focuses on watershed-level impacts of forestry through his work with the Beaufort Watershed Stewards, bringing decades of on-the-ground and policy experience to the discussion of forestry reform in BC.
Jennifer Houghton
Campaign Director, New Forest Act Project
Jennifer Houghton is lead developer of the New Forest Act, a legislative proposal to replace British Columbia’s current forestry system. She works directly on forestry policy analysis, public education, and government engagement to advance structural reform in how BC’s forests are managed.
Who Should Attend
This event is for:
- Residents concerned about forestry in their region
- People working in or affected by the forest sector
- Those interested in practical, policy-level solutions
- Anyone who wants a clear explanation of what’s happening—and what can be done
Why This Matters
BC’s forestry challenges are not isolated incidents—they are the result of a system that no longer reflects the realities on the land.
This presentation offers a clear, developed alternative.
Learn More
For full details on the legislative framework: https://boundaryforest.org/the-new-forest-act-proposal/
Support the Work
This campaign is independently led and publicly supported.