2025-2029 Operating Plan Feedback
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to the Sunshine Coast Community Forest.

This survey will invite you to consider forest values and how you prioritize them, seeking to understand your experience and expectations of forest stewardship as a community member of the Sunshine Coast. This information will influence the Operating Plan Guidelines which describe our planning approach generally, and are not tied to any specific area. This feedback will also be considered in our strategic planning.

There are also questions inviting block-specific comments which will be considered in planning within those areas currently on the Operating Plan. The purpose of these comments is to inform modifications to blocks proposed for harvesting. This survey can be completed whether or not you have reviewed the Operating Plan, however if you are not familiar with the plan you may not have any block specific comments - that is ok. Your feedback is still highly valued.

How information will be used
All information collected in this form will be accessible to community forest staff for the purposes described above. All comments with personally identifying information removed will be compiled into a report which will be published on our website. Block specific comments will be provided to the Ministry of Forests if they pertain to an area we apply for a permit within, with identifying information. In no circumstance will your identity or contact information be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your feedback, if requested.

FOM # OP2025-01 FSP Holder: Sunshine Coast Community Forest FSP Id#787
Review Period : December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025
Operating Plan/FOM is available for review on our website at sccf.ca or during regular business hours from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm. Call to make an appointment at 604-885-7809. PO Box 215, 213-5710 Teredo Street, Sechelt, BC VON-3AO
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Email *
Name: *
Address: (please provide at least your town of residence) *
Phone Number:
The Sunshine Coast Community Forest manages a relatively small land base with overlapping and often competing interests, and seeks to do it in alignment with the values of the community.

Please rank the following values in order of importance to you:
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Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat
Aesthetics / scenic quality
Local economic benefits
Water and Hydrology
Wildfire Risk Reduction
Indigenous cultural needs
Carbon storage and climate resilience
Recreation access and trails
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
A conservation network encompasses 42% of the community forest, with each ecosystem type a minimum 30% protected.  The protected areas include riparian buffers, old growth, community drinking water, wildlife habitat, unstable terrain, and culturally significant areas.

Do you think the current level of protection is:
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Sometimes values conflict - for example, sometimes recreation use can have negative impacts on biodiversity.  In general, which value should take precedence when difficult choices need to be made, with the understanding that everything will have its place somewhere. *
 SCCF is prioritizing wildfire risk reduction in high-risk interface areas, which may include thinning, removing surface fuels, or changing tree species composition. How supportive are you of wildfire-focused treatments, even if they temporarily change the appearance of the forest?   *
Not supportive
Very supportive
Recreation is deeply valued on the Sunshine Coast, but trails, bikes, and foot traffic can sometimes overlap with sensitive ecosystems, wildlife habitat, or areas under ecological restoration.  There are estimated to be more than 700km of unsanctioned trails on the Sunshine Coast, and this number grows continuously.

When recreation and conservation goals conflict in a particular area, which approach do you think the SCCF should take?
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The SCCF uses wider stream buffers than required, and the Board has committed to no harvesting in the Chapman Creek Community Watershed for 25 years.

How important is it to you that the SCCF continues to set standards beyond the legal requirements for stream and watershed protection?
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Not important, legal protection is enough
Very important
In areas where forest harvesting is proposed near community watersheds, the SCCF uses conservative buffers and requires hydrology assessments by qualified professionals.  What questions or concerns do you have about watershed protection? *
The operating plan utilizes variable retention in all proposed harvest blocks.  Variable retention is a non-clearcut system which retains large trees and snags individually and/or in groups, which science suggest can improve habitat structure and biodiversity, mimicking natural disturbances.

How familiar were you with the term variable retention before this survey?
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 SCCF gives priority to local wood processors and value-added producers when possible. How important is the focus on local economic benefits to you?  
Very Important
Not important
Clear selection
This operating plan increases extended rotation, mixed species, and maintaining forest cover to support carbon storage and climate adaptation.

Which approach to carbon and climate resilience do you support most?
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On the Sunshine Coast, the community forest is about 0.6% of the area of lands managed for forestry.  In BC overall, 3% is managed by community forests and the current government has a mandate to double this.

Do you think more local forests should be part of the community forest?
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All SCCF plans are reviewed for cultural significance and conformance to land use plans by the shíshálh Nation before harvesting as part of a shared decision-making process.

How important is it to you that the community forest integrates Indigenous knowledge and cultural values beyond the extent required for shared decision-making?
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Not Important
Very Important
Which non-harvesting related element are you most interested in seeing more focus on? *
Did you know the SCCF voluntarily reduced harvest levels known as Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) from 20,000m3 to 15,000m3 per year to support the transition to Ecosystem Based Management? *
The SCCF will be undertaking a Management Plan review, and recalculating the AAC utilizing modern modeling technology in a process involving some of our community advisory panel members which will result in a third party professional report.

What do you feel is needed for you to trust the report and its results (select all that apply)?
 *
Required
Would you be interested in participating in a multi-day community involved workshop to contribute to the SCCF Management Plan in early 2026?  (If you say yes and have provided your contact information, we may reach out to you to be involved.) *
Is there a value or concern you feel is overlooked in local forest management, by the SCCF or others? (Optional)
What would help you feel more confident participating in forest management discussions? (Optional)
Do you have block-specific comments to add? *
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