ImprovingWildlifeManagementandHabitatConservation
StakeholderWorkshop
MeetingNotes
January30–31,2019
February27,2019
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 2
TableofContentsIntroduction...................................................................................................................................4
Results............................................................................................................................................5
Funding.......................................................................................................................................51.Attributesofgoodfundingpolicy.......................................................................................52.Raisingadditionalfunds.....................................................................................................53.Fundallocationandmanagement......................................................................................6
WildlifePlanningandObjectives................................................................................................8KeyProblemIdentified...........................................................................................................8ConsiderationsforaPlanningandObjective-settingProcess................................................8PlanningConsiderations.........................................................................................................9PossibleStrategies..................................................................................................................9
Data,InformationandKnowledge...........................................................................................101.PublishannualreportonstateofwildlifeinBC...............................................................102.ExpandandpromoteuseofCitizenScienceforgatheringwildlifeandhabitatdata.......103.Makedataandinformationapriorityforongoingsupportivefunding...........................104.Developcentralizedaccesstoonlinedatabasesofdataandinformation.......................105.Fosterpartneringtocollectandsharedatabetweendifferentorganizationsandagencies................................................................................................................................106.Developadatamanagementpolicytostreamlinetheprocess.......................................10
DecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitat................................................................................111.Anoverarchingprovincialwildlifeandhabitatstrategywithaclearvisionandgoals.....112.Visionandgoalsmustbelinkedtolegalobjectives/targets............................................113.Decisionsaroundgoals,objectivesandtargetsshouldbetransparent...........................114.ConsideraprovinciallevelWildlifeBoardandaChiefBiologisttomakeoverarchingwildlifeandhabitatdecisions...............................................................................................115.Regionaldecisionmakingcouldoccurinlinewiththeregionalroundtableapproach....127.Alignandapplyauniformapproachacrossthemanyregulationstoensurethatactivitiesmustconsiderwildlifeandhabitatobjectives......................................................................13
StakeholderEngagement.........................................................................................................141.Minister’sAdvisoryCouncil..............................................................................................142.RegionalAdvisoryCommittees.........................................................................................143.ManagementPlanningEngagement................................................................................144.Comprehensivelistofstakeholder/publicemails..........................................................155.Co-ordinateengagement.................................................................................................156.ImproveEngageBC...........................................................................................................167.ImproveCommunications................................................................................................168.Generalengagement........................................................................................................179.Ensuregovernmentaccountableonalldecisions............................................................17
WildlifeHabitatManagement..................................................................................................18KeyProblemsIdentified.......................................................................................................18StrategicOptions..................................................................................................................18
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 3
TacticalandOperationalOptions.........................................................................................19AchievingDesiredOutcomes...................................................................................................201.MeasuringOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandPrograms.............................202.ReportingOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandPrograms..............................213.TrackingExpendituresonWildlifeandHabitat................................................................214.OverallProgramEvaluation–arecombinedeffortshavingdesiredendresults?...........21
EvaluationoftheWorkshop.....................................................................................................23Nextsteps.....................................................................................................................................24
Summaryoftheworkshop.......................................................................................................24WorkingGroupWebinars.........................................................................................................24PolicyIntentionsPaper.............................................................................................................24
Appendices...................................................................................................................................25
AppendixA WorkshopAttendees........................................................................................25AppendixB Agenda..............................................................................................................28AppendixC Presentations....................................................................................................30
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 4
Introduction
TheMinistryofForests,Lands,NaturalResourceOperationsandRuralDevelopmentisengagingwithstakeholders,IndigenousgroupsandthepublicinaprojectknownasImprovingWildlifeManagementandHabitatConservation.PhaseOneengagementtookplacein2018andincludedface-to-facediscussionsandonlineengagement.PhaseTwoengagement(December2018–May2019)isdesignedtohostmoredetaileddiscussionswithstakeholdersfromarangeofsectorstodeveloppolicyoptionsforthegovernmenttoconsider.ThisincludedanintroductorywebinaronDecember10,2018,followedbyatwo-dayworkshoponJanuary30–31,2019andwillincludeaseriesoftopic-specificWorkingGroupWebinars.ThisreportdocumentstheresultoftheJanuary2019stakeholderworkshop.Thegoalsoftheworkshopwere:
1. Toprovideanopportunityforprovincialstakeholderstomeetface-to-faceandsharetheirperspectivesonwildlifemanagementandhabitatconservationinBritishColumbia
2. Toprovidetimeforparticipantstohavein-depthdiscussionsaboutpolicyareasofinteresttothem
3. TobegintodeveloppolicyoptionsfortheProvincetoconsider
4. TolaythegroundworkforfurtherengagementanddiscussionthroughWorkingGroupWebinars,andidentifyparticipantswishingtoparticipateinthesediscussions
Theworkshopwasbyinvitation.Onepersonfromeachorganizationwasinvitedandorganizationsmetthefollowingcriteria:
• Provincialinscopeandperspective(notregionalorplace-based)
• Demonstratedinterestinprovincialwildlifeandhabitatpolicyissues
• Fallintooneofeightidentifiedstakeholdersectors—AcademiaandResearch;Agriculture;EnergyandMining;ENGOs,ConservationandWildlife;Forestry;HabitatConservationandLandTrusts;Hunters,TrappersandGuides;TourismandRecreation
GroupsattendingtheworkshoparelistedinAppendixA.Theagendaforthemeeting(AppendixB)wasdesignedtohavemulti-stakeholderconversationsonsevenpolicythemesthathaveemergedinthepreviousconsultationprocesses.PresentationsusedintheworkshopareinAppendixC.Asummaryoftheresultsofthestakeholderconversationsarepresentedbelow.
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 5
Results
Note:ThedocumentrecordstheviewsandideasexpressedbyawiderangeofstakeholdersandshouldnotbeviewedasconsensusrecommendationsbythosestakeholdersoractionsnecessarilysupportedbytheProvince.Duringtheworkshop,facilitatorspresentedaselectionofkeyideasandpolicyoptionsthatemergedfromeachofthepolicythemebreakouts(SeepresentationinAppendixC).ThefollowingsectionsexpandontheideasandoptionsdiscussedtoincorporatefurtherinformationthatwasdocumentedinthenotesfromtheOneBigIdeaandplenarysessions,theOpenSpacesessions,andontheflipcharts.
FundingThefundingdiscussionsaimedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:
• Whataretheattributesofagoodfundingpolicy?
• Arethereoptionstodiversifyfundingsourcesandcreateadditionalfundingforwildlifeandhabitat?
• Whoshouldmakedecisionsonallocatingfunds?Howdoweensureaccountabilityandtransparency?
Ofthemanyideasbroughttothetablebytheworkshopparticipants,theonesthatappearedtohavegroupsupportforfurtherdiscussionwereasfollows.
1.Attributesofgoodfundingpolicy
• Everyonebenefits,soeveryoneshouldcontribute.Thisprinciplewasdiscussedintwoways:
§ AllBritishColumbians(includingurbandwellers)benefitfromwildlifeandhabitat,soallshouldcontributetofundingthis
§ Alllanduserscontributetoimpactsonwildlifeandhabitat,soalllandusersshouldbecontributingtomanagementandrestorationcosts.
• Administrationcostsmustbereasonable.Someoftheideasdiscussedcouldhaveahighcostofadministrationinrelationtothefundsraised.Itisbettertopursueoneortwoideasforraisingadditionalfunds,ratherthantryingtodomanysmalleroptions.
2.RaisingadditionalfundsPrinciplesraised:
• Foralloptionsinvolvingraisinganddedicatingfundsforwildlifeandhabitat,itwillbeimportanttoengagethepublic.Wewillneedtoclearlydemonstratetheneedforfunding,thewaysinwhichfundsaretobeused,andtopresentacompellingstory.Usingtheterm“naturetax”couldcreatesupport.
• Foralloptions,fundsraisedshouldbeplacedinadedicatedfundforthesupportof
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 6
wildlifeandhabitat.
• Anoptionforraisingadditionalfundsistoreallocateexistingfunds:movingfundsawayfromcrisismanagementandtowardspreventativeapproaches.
Optionsforraisingadditionalfundsraisedbysomestakeholders:
1. Allocate100%ofthelicencefeesfromhuntingandtrappingtothededicatedfund(notjustthesurtax).Participantssuggestedthatthisoptionwouldmeetbroadapprovalandcouldhappenquickly.
2. Increasetheprovincialsalestaxby0.125%(orsimilarsmallincrease),withtheincreasedrevenuetothededicatedfund.Thiswasseenasconsistentwiththeprinciplethat“everyonebenefits,soeveryoneshouldpay”.Itwasrecognizedthatthisisabigpoliticalask,andwouldneed(atveryleast)lettersofsupportfromallparticipatingstakeholdergroupstodemonstratebroadsupport.
3. Imposeaconsumptiontaxonoutdoorequipmentandoutdooractivities.Imposeaconsumptiontaxonoutdoorequipmentandoutdooractivities.Anexampleistheeck-tourismtaxcurrentlyunderconsiderationinTofino,andtheindustryfeesforcommercialgrizzlybearviewingthatsupportbearmanagement.
4. Impose(orexpand)taxonlandusesthatimpacthabitat(includingforestry,mining,tourism,oilandgas).Thiscouldincludeincreased(orredirected)stumpagefees.
5. Wherefinesareleviedforwildlifeinfractions,therevenueshouldgotothededicatedfund,ordirect-awardedtostewardshiporganizations(atthejudge’sdiscretion).
6. Createanexcisetaxonoutdoorequipment(similartothePittman-RobertsonActintheUnitedStates)
7. Createanendowmentfundtofundresearch,conservation,restorationandmonitoring(atleast$100m).
8. Levyaparceltax,agasolinetax,orrealestatetax.
3.FundallocationandmanagementPrinciplesraised:
• Themethodofallocatingfundsmustbetransparentandaccountable,andwillbesubjecttofreedomofinformationrequests.
• FirstNationsmustbeincludedinallocations,intheirroleaswildlifeandhabitatmanagers
• Thosewhocontributefundsshouldhaveasayinhowtheyareallocated;thosewhocontributefundsshouldgetclearinformationonhowthosefundswerespent
• Takeadvantageofopportunitiesforusingfundstoleveragemore$$
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 7
• Takeadvantageofopportunitiesforsharedbenefit–e.g.,researchthatcanbenefitindustryandgovernment
• Createopportunityformulti-yearfundingofprojects
• Avoidsituationswheregovernmentiscompetingwithothersforavailablefunding
Options:
• Createadedicatedfundforwildlifeandhabitat.Thiscouldbehoused:
§ Withingovernment,makingforincreasedaccountability
§ Outsidegovernment,meaningthatitislesssubjecttoeffectsofchanginggovernments
§ Someformofhybridmodel
• Createanindependentinstitutionwiththeauthoritytoconductresearchandotherprograms;providetheinstitutionwithsignificantfunding(similartoPacificInstituteforClimateSolutions)
• Anadvisoryboard(orsimilarbody)shouldbecreatedtomakedecisionsonfundingallocationsfromthededicatedfund.Thisboardshouldincluderepresentationfromgovernment,industry,scientists,practitioners,andpeoplewithlocal/regionalknowledge.
• Thefindcouldhavedifferentstreamsoffunding,e.g.,forresearch,inventory,administrativecosts…
• Apilotprojectcouldbesetupinoneregiontotesttheadvisoryboardapproach(e.g.,northeastBC).
• Considerincentivebasedoptionssuchasreverseauctions
Fundingpriorities
Althoughthiswasnotdiscussedindetail,suggestionsforfundingprioritiesincluded:
• Conservationplans
• Education(preventionofwildlife-humanconflicts)
• Moreconservationofficers
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 8
WildlifePlanningandObjectives
KeyProblemIdentifiedLackofclearandenforceableobjectivesidentifiedasthekeyproblem:
• Withoutobjectivesmanagementisreactive,uncoordinatedandadversarial• Withoutobjectives,thereislittlepointinmonitoringbecausewedon’tknowwhatwe
aretryingtoachieve
ConsiderationsforaPlanningandObjective-settingProcessTheoverallprocessproposedforwildlifeplanningandobjectives:
1. Developa“populationobjectivespolicyframework”thatwouldlayouttheprinciplesandproceduresfordetermininghowwildlifeobjectivesareset
• Therearedifferenttheoreticalapproachesorprinciplestosettingobjectives.Weneedtodecideononeorasetofapproaches:
i. Carryingcapacityofhabitats
ii. Cost-benefitanalysisthatoptimizesvaluesandmanagementinvestments
iii. Managingtosustenanceandrecreationaldemand
iv. Managingforecosystemresilienceinthefaceofclimatechangeandotherstressors(i.e.,ahabitatemphasis)
2. Setpreliminarywildlifeobjectives:
• Otherjurisdictionsdoit–how?
• MakethemlegaloratleastequivalenttootherobjectivesconsideredbyStatutoryDecisionMakerswhenmakinglandusedecisions.“Consideration”isoftentrumpedbyotherlegalrequirements
• Needtobeflexibleandadjustaswelearn–wewon’tgetitrightthefirsttimebutwehavetostartsomewhere
• Can’tdoitforallspecies,butneedtoaddressconsumptiveneedsand“umbrella”and“indicator”species
• Needtohavesufficientdatatoevenstartsettingobjectives
3. Sethabitatobjectivestosupportwildlifeobjectives:
• Iterativeprocesswithfullsocio-economicimpactanalysis–areourobjectivesfeasible?Aretheydesirablegiventhetrade-offs?
• Objectivesneedtobeconsistentlyappliedtoalllandusers–currentapproach“silos”differentactivitiesandappliesdifferentrules
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 9
4. Monitor:
• Needsufficientmonitoringefforttoknowwhetherourobjectivesarebeingachieved,andifnot,whynot
PlanningConsiderationsHowobjectivesshouldbeset:
• Provincial-scaleboardcouldsetstrategicdirectionandmonitoroutcomes,makerecommendationstogovernmentregardingrequiredchanges
• Regionalboardswithinputfromexperts(biologists,knowledgeholders),stakeholders,Indigenouscommunities,implementprovincialdirectionbasedonregionalcircumstances
• Therearealreadyboardsoperatinginsomeregionsthatworkinasimilarmannertothis
PossibleStrategiesToachieveobjectives:
• Developmethodstovaluewildlife–rightnowit’slargely“free”andthereforetherearenoeconomicincentivetoconserve/manage;everythingisbasedonlimitsandallocationsandlimitedbudgets
• Developaprovincial-scaleapproachtomanagingwildlifeconflicts,particularlyinurbanareas–thisisanincreasingconcernanddevolvingtomunicipalitiesisinadequate
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 10
Data,InformationandKnowledge
1.PublishannualreportonstateofwildlifeinBC• Varyinglevelsofdetail• Usebestavailabledata
o Science(includingCitizen)o Localknowledgeo TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge
2.ExpandandpromoteuseofCitizenScienceforgatheringwildlifeandhabitatdata• Useexistingtools–alloftheseareestablishedandinusebutareunder-utilized
o RoadWatchBCo WildCam–Networkofremotecamerastocollectdata;greatopportunityfor
partnerships;publiceducationandengagemento MooseTrackerApp
3.Makedataandinformationapriorityforongoingsupportivefunding
4.Developcentralizedaccesstoonlinedatabasesofdataandinformation• Publiclyaccessible• Includeannualsummaryoftrends• Identifygapsininformationandresearch• Createopportunitiesforcollaboration• ConservationDataCentre,SpeciesInventoryDatabase
5.Fosterpartneringtocollectandsharedatabetweendifferentorganizationsandagencies• Governments,universities,industries,FirstNations
6.Developadatamanagementpolicytostreamlinetheprocess• Identification,collection,analysis,sharing
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 11
DecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitatTheDecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitatdiscussionaimedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:
• Howcanwedevelopanimproveddecisionmakingmodelforwildlifeandhabitat?
• Arewildlifeandhabitatappropriatelyconsideredinthecurrentdecisionmakingapproach?
• Aretheregapsinthelegislative/regulatory/policyframework?
• Howcouldtheframeworkfordifferentsectorsbebetteraligned/howcouldspecificactivitiesorsectorsbetterconsiderwildlifeandhabitat?
• HowcanIndigenousknowledge,citizenscienceandothersourcesofevidencebeincorporatedtosupportimproveddecisionmaking?
Manyideaswerebroughtforwardbyworkshopparticipants,severalofwhichappearedtohavebroadsupportforfurtherdiscussion.Theseideasarediscussedinmoredetailbelowbutincludetheneedforaprovincialwildlifeandhabitatstrategy,thedevelopmentofregionaldecisionmakingbodiesthatsupportandrespondtothatoverarchingstrategy,andtheneedtoalignandapplythestatutoryframeworktobetterimprovewildlifeandhabitatoutcomes.
TheoverallsentimentwasthatifwecanidentifyanewmodelfordecisionmakingthatinvolvesbothregionaldecisionmakingandFirstNationsco-management,we’dhavecomealongwayfromwherewearenow.
1.Anoverarchingprovincialwildlifeandhabitatstrategywithaclearvisionandgoals
2.Visionandgoalsmustbelinkedtolegalobjectives/targets• Theselegalobjectives/targetsmustbebasedonthefollowingprinciples:
o Sciencebaseddata,includingsupplyandpopulationassessmentso Regionalandlandscapelevelinputo Cumulativeeffectso Socialvalueso Economicso Ecosystem-basedmanagemento Monitoringdata,andsubsequenttransparentadjustments
3.Decisionsaroundgoals,objectivesandtargetsshouldbetransparent
• Therationalebehinddecisionsandtrade-offconsiderationsmustbeclearlydocumentedandexplained
• Basedecisionsonscience,notpolitics,andconsideridentifiedsharedvalues
4.ConsideraprovinciallevelWildlifeBoardandaChiefBiologisttomakeoverarchingwildlifeandhabitatdecisions
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 12
5.Regionaldecisionmakingcouldoccurinlinewiththeregionalroundtableapproach
Considerationsinclude:
• Determinethebestroleandresponsibilities–Strategic/advisory?Decisionmakingpowers?
o Helpset/informtheprovinciallevelobjectives,goals,targetsthroughregionalknowledgeandinterests/objectives
o Dotheylookatthescience,objectivesandrecommendationsbytheProvinceanddecidehowtooperationalizeit;ordoestheProvinceprovidetheobjectivesandtheoperationaldirectiontotheregionalroundtables?Ifthelatter,whatistheroleoftheroundtables?
• MustincludeFirstNationsandstakeholdersfromacrossmanysectors(FirstNationsatanationlevel,FLNRORDresourcemanagementstaff,licensees,GOABC,BCWF,trappers,independentguides,tourism/recreation,ranchers,industry,ENGOs,forestryetc.)
o FirstNationsinfusioncanaddthenewestideas.Wemustincludethemattheregionallevel,andthesemustbeprofessionallyfacilitated
o IncorporateFirstNationsknowledgeandhistory,considerhowbesttoincorporateUNDRIPattheverybeginningofthiswork
o Desiretoseemoreco/shared/jointmanagementopportunitieswithFirstNations–thereISanappetitenowforthis!Peopleareataplacerightnowtohavethiskindofstructureanditcouldreallycreatebuy-in
• Localco-managementmodelsexistbuthowcantheybeeffectivewithoutanoverallprovincialstrategy?Buildonexistingexamples–moosesolutionsinChilcotin;Yukonapproachwheretheymakesureallpartiesareatthetable,includingFirstNations;expandedversionofMountainCaribouProgressBoard
o Concernre:greatexpenseofYukonmodel,andamountoffundsthatgotopeoplemanagementratherthanactualwildlifeorhabitatmanagement
o ExpandtheMountainCaribouProgressBoardmodelfurthersoitismoreinfluential,withsub-committees(ithassevenclearobjectivesandeveryyeartheyreporttotheMinisteronwheretheyarewiththoseobjectives)
• Two-waycommunicationwiththeProvincialWildlifeBoard(orsimilar)iscritical
• Howbesttofundtheseregionalroundtables?
• Musthaveprofessionalguidance(RPBios)toensurelocaldecisionsareappropriateforthelargerscaleorspeciesview
• Mustbeprofessionallyfacilitated
• Considergreaterpublicengagement,moreregionalworkshops,involvementofFirst
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 13
Nationsandlocalgovernments
7.Alignandapplyauniformapproachacrossthemanyregulationstoensurethatactivitiesmustconsiderwildlifeandhabitatobjectives
Considerationsinclude:
• Considerwildlifeandhabitatobjectivestogethertomakethemmeaningful
• Useoftheterm‘consider’perceivedastoovague,nothighlightingthecrisis,prefermorecleardirectionandterminology
• DecisionmakersforALLnaturalresourceactivitiesmustaddresswildlifeandhabitatobjectivesviaanomnibuslegislation–EnvironmentLandUseAct?
• Considerupdatestothefollowinglegislation,amongothers
o ForestandRangePracticesAct(e.g.,herbicideapplication,access)
o MigratoryBirdsConventionAct(e.g.,timingwindows,speciesbased,requiringsurveys)
• Enforcementofexistingregulationsandlegislation
• Ensureobjectivesapplyonparklandsaswellasothercrownlands,andmakeimprovementstoParkActsothereismoreactivemanagement
• Needformonitoringagainstsetobjectives
• Successmeansthatobjectivesarebeingmet
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 14
StakeholderEngagement
1.Minister’sAdvisoryCouncil
• Province-wide
• Broadsectoralrepresentation–consumptiveandnon-consumptivestakeholdergroups(similarsectorstoIWMHC)
• Highlevel;directlyreportingtoMinister
• Needforcommunicationstoothergroupsandindividuals
• TermsofReferenceneedtobecarefullycrafted
• ExcellentexampleintheMinister’sTourismCouncil
o Meetsquarterly
o Chairandvice-chairmeetmonthlywithMinister
o Staggeredappointmentsforcontinuity
o Sub-committeestodealwithissuesinmoredepth
o Helpinformtourismstrategy
• ThiscommitteecouldreplaceorcomplementPHTAT(ProvincialHuntingandTrappingAdvisoryTeam,whichconsistsofBCTrappersAssociation,BCWildlifeFederation,GuideOutfittersAssociationofBC,UnitedBowhuntersofBC,WildlifeStewardshipCouncil,WildSheepSocietyofBC)
• OritcouldbeaseparatecommitteebecausePHTATismainlyconcernedwithhunting,trappingandguidingregulationsandlegislation
2.RegionalAdvisoryCommittees
• TherearesomeregionalPHTAT-typegroupsandalsosomespecies-specificgroupsmeeting,butnotconsistentacrossregions
• Broadsectoralparticipation
• CouldbuildonexistingregionalPHTATs
• Termsofreferencecritical
o Roles
o Rotatingmembership
o Representativeness—representingasectororrepresentativeofasector
3.ManagementPlanningEngagement• Tobedetermined• Engagementformanagementplansofindividualspecies,multiplespecies,specific
geographicalareas
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 15
4.Comprehensivelistofstakeholder/publicemails
• Fundamentallyimportantstep;keystrategytoreachpeopleallovertheprovince
• Stakeholderorganizationscouldpassoninformationtotheirmailinglists
• Letpublicandstakeholdersknowaboutimportantinformationandengagementopportunities
o Managementplansforindividualspecies,multiplespecies
o Regulationandlegislationchanges
o Policyadvice
o Huntingclosures
o Monitoringandsurveyinformation
o Enforcementbulletins
o CouldincludenewsreleasesandInformationBulletins
• Howto“gather”contacts
o Sign-uponEngageBC;chooseareasorinitiativesofinterest
o Useexistingmailings(huntinglicences,guidingpermits,provincialtaxes,etc.)toletpeopleknowthatiftheywantinformationoncertainareas,theywillneedtosign-upforthat
o Invitepeoplefromwebsites(Provincealreadycollectsnamesandemailaddressesforpeopleinterestedinnewsreleasesofspecifictopics;coulddothesamesortofthingonEngageBC
• Privacyconcerns
o Clearcommunicationsonwhycontactinformationisbeingcollectedandhowitwillbeused
o Peoplewillneedtoperiodicallyreaffirmtheirinterestincontinuingtoreceivecorrespondenceandnotifications
5.Co-ordinateengagement
• Toomanydifferentengagementinitiativesgoingonatonetime
• Manystakeholdersfeelingburnoutandoverwhelmed
• Bundlinginitiativesisgreat,suchaswasdoneinthisprojectinApril2018(SpeciesatRisk,WildlifeandHabitatManagement,andCaribouRecovery)
• DifferentpartsofMinistryneedtoco-ordinatetheirengagementactivities
• Needroad-mapofallthedifferentengagements,wheretheyaregoingandkeymilestonedates
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 16
6.ImproveEngageBC
• Continueallowingpeopletoseewhatothersaresaying—submissions,emails,reports—asthatisveryuseful
• LotsofthingsgetpostedonEngageBCbutoftenpeoplearenotnotifiedabouttheprocess(linkto4and7)
• Needforfollow-upreportsandsummaries(thisprojectisanexception)
• Wouldlikepersonalresponsestopeople;usuallyjustgetanautomatic,electronicresponse
• Simpler,shorterandclearercommunications
o Mostpeople,especiallyyouthdonothavelongattentionspans
o Useshortvideos
o Startwithshort,simpleinformationandallowuserto“digdown”or“click”tomoredetailedinformation;“layered”approachtoinformation
• Make“blog”postsmorepositive;trytocurtailthelongand“mean”postsby“keyboardwarriors”
o Moderatethelist?
o Restructurethelist?
• NeedforademographicstudyofEngageBCusers—Whousesit?
o Helptobetterunderstandresponsesandbettercommunicatewithpublicandstakeholders
7.ImproveCommunications
• Communicationsplan–differentapproachestoreachpeoplefromdifferentsectorsanddifferentgeographicalareas
• Designandimplementasocialmediapolicy
o Broaderdemographic,especiallyyouth
o Needdedicatedcommunicationsspecialiststomanageit(goodexampleatMinistryofTransportationandInfrastructure)
• Meetingchallengesinruralareas
• Improveonlinegovernmentdirectory
o Oftenaveryimportantengagementapproach—one-to-oneinteractionswithstaff
• Tellstoriesaboutwhatisgoingon(adayinalifeofaprovincialbiologist)ratherthan“dry”InformationBulletins
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 17
8.Generalengagement
• Engageearlywithstakeholders,nothalfwaythroughtheprocess
• Youth(18–28)notwellservedbyengagementprocesses
• Notallprocessesneedtohaveengagement
9.Ensuregovernmentaccountableonalldecisions
• Whatweheard
• Whatwedidaboutit
• Why(“justletusknowwhyyoudidwhatyoudid”)
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 18
WildlifeHabitatManagement
KeyProblemsIdentifiedAnover-archingthemetothehabitatmanagementdiscussionwasaproposedshifttowardsmanagingtoresiliencetoaddressthefollowingissues:
• Theneedtomoveawayfromareactivemodel(“managementbycrisis”)toaproactiveapproachdrivenbyahigh-levelvisionandclearobjectives
• Addressclimatechangeimpacts,particularlyincreasingincidenceofwildfireandshiftsinspeciesandecosystemdistributions
• Copewithincreasingdemandforservicesoffalimitedlandbasebyagrowinghumanpopulation
Specificconcernsrelatedtothecurrentlegalandpolicyregimeinclude:
• Lackofgovernmentstaffingandpowerstoinfluenceoperational-scaledecision-making
• ForestStewardshipPlansthataretacticalinnatureandprovidenomechanismforprovidinginputsonoperationalplanning
• Lackoflandscapeunitplanning
• Insufficientmonitoringtodeterminewhetheroutdesignationsorpracticesareeffective
• Ad-hocreservedesign:lackofconnectivity,either“notouch”or“fulldevelopment”landmanagementcreatesanineffectivepatchwork
• Lackofaccessmanagement
• Needregulatoryalignmentforthedifferentsectors–currentlegalframeworkcandisallowactivitiesinanareabyoneindustrybutallowthesameactivitybyanother
StrategicOptionsManagingtoresiliencerequiresthedevelopmentofanewmanagementregimethatisbasedononeormorepossiblehigh-levelapproaches,suchas:
• Ecosystem-basedmanagement(maintainingaproportionofuniqueecosystemsinastateconsistentwithnaturaldisturbanceassumptions)
• Ecosystemservices(e.g.,water,fibre,domesticforage,spiritual,recreation,tourism,mineral,wildlife)
• Managingto“abundance”
Partofthenewmanagementregimeshouldbeclearandenforceableobjectivesthataregivenanequalfootingtolegalconsiderationsforstatutorydecision-makers.“Consideration”inlandmanagementdecisionsisfailing.
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 19
Thereisarecognitionthatgeneratingrevenuefromthelandbaseisimportanttocommunitiesandforfundingbroadergovernmentservices:
• Thereisanobvioustrade-offwithmorehabitatprotectionormorerestrictiveindustrialpracticestoachievewildlifehabitatobjectives
• Needtooptimizethevaluewegetfromthelandbase:
o Fibreutilization
o Rawlogprocessing
o Forageproductionfordomesticstockandwildlife
o Returntothecrownfornon-timbervalues(e.g.,mushrooms)
o Includingprivateproperty/largelandholdersinhabitatmanagement,providingtherightincentivesandcompensatingwhererequired
TacticalandOperationalOptionsIncreasingthelevelofoperation-scalemanagementwasseenasanecessity:
• Havebiologiststalkingtooperationalforestersandotherstofindcreativesolutions
• LeveragetheknowledgeofIndigenouscommunities,privatelandownersandotherswholiveandworkinourecosystems
Planningalsorequiredatsub-regionalscales:
• Movetoamoredeliberatelandscapedesign
• Increasetheuseofmulti-stakeholderandFirstNationsplanningtablesforsub-regionalprocesses
• Planningandrestorationinresponsetowildfires
• Landscapeunitplanningtofillagapinthemulti-scalelanduseplanning
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 20
AchievingDesiredOutcomesTheAchievingDesiredOutcomesdiscussionsaimedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:
• Howarewemeasuringandreportingoutcomes–howcanweimprovepublicconfidence?
• Howarewetrackingexpenditures?
• Howareweevaluatingsuccessoftheprogramonthewhole?
Ofthemanyideasbroughttothetablebytheworkshopparticipants,theonesthatappearedtohavegroupsupportforfurtherdiscussionwereasfollows.
1.MeasuringOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandProgramsPrinciplesproposed:
• Definethedesiredoutcomes:havekeyperformanceindicators(KPIs)thataremeasurable,transparentandavailabletoall
• Fixthemodelratherthanjustmakingincrementalimprovements
• Considercumulativeimpacts
• Considerbroaderimpacts,includingclimatechange
• Learnfromthebestpracticesofotherjurisdictions,e.g.,Alberta’sbiodiversitymonitoring
Considerationsformeasuringoutcomes:
1. Developcriteriabywhichoutcomesaredescribed:assessment(whatarewedoing)andthenevaluation(wereobjectivesmet).
2. Focusonsystematicmonitoring.Thisshould:
a. Beprovincial-scale,buttakearegionalapproachwithinthatprovincialframework
b. Bemulti-yeartoshowthetrendsovertimeandscale
c. Bebasedonasmallnumberofindicatorspecies(focusspecies)thatwillprovideinformationonoverallecosystemhealth(whilerecognizingthatthiswillnotprovidecertaintyforallspecies)
d. Measureintactnessofecosystems(similartoAlbertamodel);andconsiderhowmuchintactnesscanchangebeforethereissignificantimpactonecosystemfunction
e. Measurecumulativeimpacts,notjustsiloedinformation
f. Includeeffectivenessmonitoring(e.g.,isprotectingthehabitatandfoodsources
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 21
isachievingpopulationtargets,arethe$$spentachievingthedesiredoutcomes)
3. Createacommondatasettoimproveintegrateddecisionmaking
4. Provideadequateresourcingformonitoring.Identifywhatisrequiredandthenfindthefunding(asopposedtodoingwhatyoucanwithintheavailablefunding).
2.ReportingOutcomesofWildlifeandHabitatProjectsandProgramsConsiderationsforreporting:
1. Haveannualreportingthatispreparedandreviewedbyanindependentgroup,toensurefairandbalancedreporting.Thisreportingshouldrecommendactionsforchangeandimprovement.
2. Includeinformationthatindustryisalreadycollecting;reportonindustryoutcomesaswellasgovernment.
3. Useannualreportingasanopportunityforeducation.Makeeveryone(i.e.public,industry,government,NGO’s)awareofhowimportantthehealthofwildlifeis,andbeclearaboutwhatwillhappenifwedonotachieveintendedoutcomes.
4. Haveapubliclyaccessibledatabase/websitethatincludesgovernmentandnon-governmentactivities,andthestatusofthoseprojects
5. Linkfundingtoreportingofoutcomes.
3.TrackingExpendituresonWildlifeandHabitatPrinciplesproposed:
• Expendituresshouldbetiedtooutcomes(whathasthemoneyspentachieved?)
• Thereshouldbeawaytotrackvaluefor$$spent
4.OverallProgramEvaluation–arecombinedeffortshavingdesiredendresults?Principlesproposed:
• Considercumulativeimpacts
• Considerbroaderimpacts,includingclimatechange
• Workwithpartners.Governmentcannotachievethisalone.
ConsiderationsforProgramEvaluation:
1. Havewell-definedoverarchingprogramobjectives(andwaystomeasureprogress).
2. Takealongview.Wheredoweneedtobe30yearsfromnow,howdowegetthere?Thenidentifyafewthingstodowelltostart,andwhatwillcomenext.
3. Moveawayfrommanagementbycrisis(willneversucceed).Thismayincludeletting
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 22
somespeciesatriskgo.Wecan’tchangewhatwe’vedonebutcanchangewhatwedogoingforward.
4. Actinpartnership.
a. Alignwithbroadergovernmentobjectives(e.g.,landuseplanning)andencourageintegrationacrossministriesandacrosssectors/interestgroups
b. Therearemanyplayersonthelandwithsiloeddecisionmaking,needtofocusoncumulativeeffectsandintegrateddecisions.Recognizethattherewillbetrade-offsinmulti-uselandscapesandlookforwaystoharmonize.
5. Conductanauditoftheeffectivenessofconservationdesignations(e.g.,parks,WMAs,etc.).Auditapercentageofthislandeachyear.Wheredesignationsarenotachievingthedesiredoutcomes,consideroptions.
6. Conductapilotprograminadefinedarea,ledbyamulti-sectoralgroup(includinggovernment)toshowhowshareddata,monitoringofoutcomesandreportingcouldbeachieved.
7. Lookforincentive-basedopportunitiestoencouragegoodoutcomes.
8. Focusgovernmentactivitiesonwhatgovernmentdoesbest(e.g.,settingobjectives,synthesizingdata,preventativeapproaches),useprofessionalstoprovideotherservices.
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 23
EvaluationoftheWorkshopIntotal,28evaluationformswerereceivedfrom44participants—a64percentcompletionrate.Inanswertothequestion:“Overall,didtheworkshopmeetyourexpectations?”
• Yes-74%
• Inpart-22%
• No-4%
Levelsofagreementwithaseriesofstatementsabouttheworkshoparepresentedinthetablebelow.
Statement stronglyagree agree neutral disagree strongly
disagreeAttendingthisworkshopwasagooduseofmytime 11 13 4 - -
Ihadampletimetosharemyideas 16 8 4 - -
Overall,Ifoundtheworkshopuseful 5 19 4 - -
Theworkshopwaswellorganized 7 13 6 2 -
Theopenspacesessionstocommentonallthepolicythemeswereuseful 7 8 9 2 1
Thebreakoutgroupsprovidedanopportunityforproductivediscussions 10 14 2 1 -
Thefacilitationoftheworkshopwaseffective 7 11 6 1 -
Thisistherightgroupofpeopletobeinvolvedinthisworkshop 8 11 5 2 1
Thisisagoodvenueforholdingtheworkshop 12 10 3 1 1
Thefoodmetmyexpectations 9 9 7 - 1
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 24
Nextsteps
Inthefinalplenaryoftheworkshop,participantshadanopportunitytocommentontheengagementprocessforImprovingWildlifeManagementandHabitatConservation,ontheworkshopspecifically,andwherethingsweregoingnext.
SummaryoftheworkshopThesummaryoftheworkshop(thisreport)willbepublishedonlineonEngageBCandmadeavailabletopublicandstakeholdersinterestedintheprocess.Thereportisintendedtodocumenttheworkshopdeliberationsandfuelfuturemulti-stakeholderconversations.
WorkingGroupWebinarsWorkshopparticipantswereencouragedtosignupforWorkingGroupWebinarsforeachofthesevenpolicythemesthatweretakingplaceoverthenextfewmonths.TheresultspresentedinthisreportwillbeusedasastartingpointfortheWorkingGroupstohavemorein-depthdiscussionsandrefineideasineachofthepolicythemesinordertodeveloppolicyoptionsfortheProvincetoconsider.AreportontheresultsoftheWorkingGroupWebinarswillsummarizealltheoptionsandideasthatweredevelopedbytheWorkingGroups,indicatingareaswheretherewasstrongagreementacrossstakeholdersectors,andwherepossible,indicatingpoliciesorideasthatcouldbeadoptedandimplementedbytheMinistryintheshortterm.
PolicyIntentionsPaperThepolicyoptionsrecommendedthroughtheWorkingGroupWebinarswillbeprovidedtotheMinistry,whichwilltaketheseresultsalongwiththeresultsofinternalpolicydiscussions,anddevelopaPolicyIntentionsPaper.ThePolicyIntentionsPaperwillalsobeguidedbyaparallelengagementprocesswithindigenouspeoplesacrosstheprovince.ThePolicyIntentionsPaperwillbepublishedandregionalandprovincialstakeholdersandthepublicwillhaveanopportunitytoreviewitandprovidecomments.ThepaperwillalsobemadeavailableontheEngageBCwebsite.
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 25
Appendices
AppendixA WorkshopAttendees
Academia&Research
PamelaHengeveld,AssociationofProfessionalBiology
ColeBurton,UniversityofBritishColumbia
AimeeMitchell,BCBatActionTeam
RoyRea,EcosystemScienceandManagementProgram&NaturalResourcesandEnvStudiesInstitute,UNBC
Agriculture
GeoffHughes-Games,BCAgricultureCouncil&BCAgricultureResearchandDevelopmentCorporation
KevinBoon,BCCattlemen'sAssociation
EnergyandMining
ScottGrindal,CanadianAssociationofPetroleumProducers
MikeWilfley,CanadianEnergyandPipelineAssociation
AnitraParis,CleanEnergyBC
DianaWalls,MiningAssociationofBC
ENGOS/Conservation/Wildlife
JohnnyMikes,CanadianParks&WildernessSocietyBC
GregFerguson,FederationofBCNaturalists(BCNature)
NicholasScapillati,GrizzlyBearFoundation
JensWieting,SierraClubofBC
ErinRyan,SPCABC
CharlotteDawe,WesternCanadaWildernessCommittee
RodDavis,WildlifeSociety-BCChapter
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 26
BrentonFroehlich,WildlandStewardsAssociationofBC
JohnBergenske,Wildsight
Forestry
JenniferGunter,BCCommunityForestAssociation
ArchieMacDonald,CouncilofForestIndustries
DanBattistella,InteriorLumberManufacturers’Association
MeganHanacek,PrivateForestLandholdersAssociation
HabitatConservationandLandTrusts
JenBellhouse,BCConservationFoundation–WildSafeBC
GayleHesse,BCConservationFoundation–WildlifeCollisionPreventionProgram
DanBuffett,DucksUnlimited,BCoffice
BrianSpringinotic,HabitatConservationTrustFoundation
HillaryPage,NatureConservancyofCanada
JasperLament,TheNatureTrustofBC
Hunters,Trappers,andGuides
MarkRobichaud,BCBackcountryHunters&Anglers
BrianDack,BCTrappersAssociation
GerryPaille,BCWildlifeFederation
SeanOlmstead,GuideOutfittersAssociationofBC
MarkWerner,SportsmansConservationAlliance
RobChipman,UnitedBowhuntersofBC
MikeSchroeder,WildSheepSocietyofBC
JohnHenderson,WildlifeStewardshipCouncil
TourismandRecreation
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 27
BradHarrison,AdventureTourismCoalition
DonegalWilson,BCSnowmobileFederation
KathyMacRae,CommercialBearViewingAssociation
RossCloutier,HelicatCanada
CielSander,OutdoorRecreationCouncilofBC
WaltJudas,TourismIndustryAssociationofBC
ScottBenton,WildernessTourismAssociationofBC
ProvincialGovernmentStaff
WardTrotter,ExecutiveDirector,NaturalResources,FLNRORD
ChrisHamilton,Director,StrategicProjectsandIndigenousPolicy,FLNRORD
JenniferPsyllakis,DirectorofWildlifeandHabitat,FLNRORD
MaryamMofidpoor,ProjectManagerIWMHC,FLNRORD
MikePedersen,RegionalExecutiveDirector,CaribooRegion,FLNRORD
PennyLloyd,DeputyDirector,Policy,FLNRORD
RaychlLukie,RegionalOperationsLead,IWMHC,FLNRORD
SarahDixon,SeniorPolicyAnalyst,FLNRORD
SteveGordon,HabitatManager,FLNRORD
TaraSzkorupa,SeniorWildlifeBiologist,FLNRORD
TerryAhern,SeniorAdvisor,FLNRORD
TobeSprado,ConservationOfficerService
VictoriaKlassen-Jeffery,EngagementLead,MinistryofEnvironmentandClimateChangeStrategy
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 28
AppendixB AgendaWestinHallCentreRichmond,BCDay1:January309:30–10:00am Arrival,registration,coffeeandteaserved,mixandmingle
10:00am
BallroomA-D
WelcomeandIntroductions
§ Presentation:Overviewofengagementprocess
11:00am
BallroomA-D
Onebigideafromeachparticipant:
§ “WhatisonebigideayouhavethatcouldimprovewildlifemanagementandhabitatconservationinBC”?(oneminuteorless)
§ Introductiontoafternoonsessions
12:00–1:00pm Lunch(provided)
1:00–1:15 Minister’saddress
HonourableDougDonaldson,MinisterofForests,LandsandNaturalResourceOperationsandRuralDevelopment
1:15pm
Foyer
OpenSpace1
Whatproblemsareyoumostconcernedaboutthatweshouldbeaddressinginourpolicybreakoutsessions?
§ Openspacestyle,participantshaveopportunitytovisiteachofthepolicytablestocontributetheirideastoeverytopic.
2:00–2:10pm Shortbreak,gotobreakoutrooms
2:10pm
PolicydiscussionsPartA:
2:10–3:25pm:Participantsselectonetheme,participateindiscussion
3:25–3:45pm:Refreshmentbreak,opportunitytoswitchtoasecondtopicifdesired
3:45–5:00pm:Participantsselectsecondtheme,participateindiscussion(ormaystaywithfirstthemeifdesired)
Fourthemegroupsare:
§ Funding–Foyer
§ WildlifePlanningandObjectives–BallroomA
§ Data,InformationandKnowledge–BallroomB-C
§ DecisionMakingforWildlifeandHabitat–BallroomD
5:00pm Endofday1
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 29
Day2:January318:00–8:30am Arrival,coffeeandteaavailable
8:30am
BallroomA-D
HarvestofhighlightsfromDay1breakoutgroups
SetupforDay2breakoutgroups
9:00am PolicyDiscussionsPartB:
9:00–10:20am:Participantsselectonetheme,participateindiscussion
10:20–10:45am:Refreshmentbreak,opportunitytoswitchtoasecondtopicifdesired
10:45am–12:00pm:Participantsselectsecondtheme,participateindiscussion(ormaystaywithfirstthemeifdesired)
Threethemegroupsare:
§ WildlifeHabitatManagement–BallroomA
§ AchievingDesiredOutcomes–BallroomB-C
§ StakeholderEngagement–BallroomD
12:00–1:00pm Lunch(provided)
1:00pm
BallroomA-D
HarvestofhighlightsfromDay2breakoutgroups
1:30pm
BallroomA-D
Reflectionandnextsteps
§ Closingcomments
2:15pm
Foyer
OpenSpace2
Opportunitytoreviewandcommentonoutcomesfromallpolicythemediscussions
§ Openspacestyle,participantshaveopportunitytovisiteachpolicytableandaddto/commentonideaspostedonflipcharts
SignupforongoingWorkingGroupWebinarsonpolicythemesofchoice
3:00pm Workshopclose
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 30
AppendixC Presentations
1
Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation
Stakeholder Workshop
January 30 – 31, 2018
Housekeeping
• Name tag, table assignment, agenda, evaluation, list of participants, Policy Primer Booklet
• Washrooms• Cell phone ringers• Under-the-table texting• WIFI – Westin Meetings - flnrord19
2
Facilitators’ Role
• Traffic cop• Inclusivity• On task; on time• Document
3
Ground Rules
• Respect everyone’s right to be heard• Respect everyone’s views• Seek common ground• Use plain language
4
1 2
3 4
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 31
2
Workshop Goals
• To provide an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to meet face-to-face and share their perspectives on wildlife management and habitat conservation in British Columbia
• To provide time for participants to have in-depth discussions about policy areas of interest to them
• To begin to develop policy options for the Province to consider
• To lay the groundwork for further engagement and discussion through webinars, and identify participants wishing to participate in these discussions
5
Agenda (Day 1)
6
Time Activity Responsibility
10 – 10:40 Welcome and Introductions Alan DolanAll
10:40 – 11 Overview of Engagement Process Chris Hamilton
11 – 12 One Big Idea (Speak and Write) All
12 – 1 Lunch All
1 – 2 Open Space 1• Problems to address in breakouts
All
Agenda (Day 1)
7
Time Activity Responsibility
2:10 – 3:25
3:50 – 5
Policy Breakout Groups Part A
• Funding• Wildlife Planning and Objectives• Data, Information and Knowledge• Decision Making for Wildlife and
Habitat
All
Agenda (Day 2)
8
Time Activity Responsibility
8:30 – 9 Harvest of Highlights (Day 1) Facilitators
9 – 10:20
10:45 – 12
Policy Breakout Groups Part B
• Wildlife Habitat Management• Achieving Desired Outcomes• Stakeholder Engagement
All
12 – 1 • Lunch All
5 6
7 8
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 32
3
Agenda (Day 2)
9
Time Activity Responsibility
1 - 3 Harvest of Highlights (Day 2)
1:30 – 2:30 Open Space 2• Review and comment on
outcomes of policy theme discussions
• Sign-up for Working Group Webinars
All
2:30 - 3 Reflections and Next Steps All
IWMHC Engagement Scope
Why broad multi-stakeholder engagement?
• Encourage interactive discussions between groups and sectors
• Broad range of perspectives on wildlife and habitat
• Collaboratively develop policy recommendations to government
• Seek agreement where possible
• Present options10
Engagement Scope
On the table
• Provincial scale
• Legislation, tools, governance structures, and new approaches to improve wildlife management and habitat conservation
• Work that keeps common species common
• Indigenous governance and relationships
11
Engagement Scope
Off the table
• Regional place-based discussions
• Allocation decisions
• Specific hunting and trapping regs
• Discussions on hunting and trapping as legitimate land uses
12
9 10
11 12
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 33
4
Engagement Scope
Off the table
• Fish management (for now)
• Topics related to other engagement processeso Land Use Planningo Species at Risko Caribou recovery
13
IWMHC Timing
• Long-term strategy developed through engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous communities
• Short-term improvements already underway and others may be “off-ramped” before final strategy where it makes sense o Broad supporto Early benefits for wildlife and habitato Capacity and resourcing to implement
14
Phase One Engagement Process
• Stakeholder sectoral workshops (April 2018)o Bundled with SAR and Caribou recoveryo 50 organizations
• Indigenous workshops (May – June 2018)
o 122 communities; 23 facilitated sessions
• Engage BCo Online stakeholder submissions – 298 emailso Public emails – 1,137 comments
15
Phase Two Engagement Process
Objectives
• Communicate Phase One input
• Shift from input to collaboration on key areas
• Include a broad range of sectors
• Build trust and confidence through transparency
• Develop tangible policy options and ideas for improving wildlife management and habitat conservation in BC
16
13 14
15 16
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 34
5
Phase Two Engagement Process
Outcomes
• Through collaboration, three main products:
• Early wins where possible
• Consultant’s report: options and ideas from engagement
• Gov’t Policy Intentions Paper to inform Phase Three
17
Phase Three Engagement Process
• Focus is on Policy Intentions Paper
• Online engagement through Engage BC
• Regional and provincial meetings
• Late Spring/early summer
18
Phase Four Engagement Process
• Implementation of a new wildlife and habitat management strategy for BC (Fall 2020)
19Source:. Judith Cullington
• Parallel initiatives• Focus is on First Nations perspectives on
wildlife management • First Nations from all around the Province in a
“forum”• Not consultation• Not place-based • For now, a separate process
Indigenous Engagement
20
Source: Province of BC
17 18
19 20
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 35
6
• https://engage.gov.bc.ca/wildlifeandhabitat/
• Public comments
• Stakeholder submissions
• What We Heard reports – stakeholder, public, Indigenous
• What We Heard and What Is Next report
• Updates and policy documents posted
Sharing What We Heard
21 22Source: http://artofliving.summitlodge.com/the-great-outdoors/wildlife-of-british-columbia-11-species-to-look-out-for-this-summer/
Source: /www.wildlifeworkshops.com
ONE BIG IDEA
To improve wildlife management and habitat conservation in BC
• Funding• Wildlife Planning and Objectives• Data, Information and Knowledge• Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat• Stakeholder Engagement• Wildlife Habitat Management• Achieving Desired Outcomes• Other
Day 1 Open Space (1 pm)
23
• Funding (Foyer)• Wildlife Planning and Objectives
(Ballroom A)• Data, Information and Knowledge –
(Ballroom B/C)• Decision Making for Wildlife and
Habitat (Ballroom D)
Day 1 Policy Breakout Groups (2 – 5 pm)
24
21 22
23 24
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 36
7
Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation
Workshop January 30 – 31, 2019
Harvests from Day 1 Policy Breakout Groups
1. How much money is “enough” to support BC’s wildlife and habitat needs?
2. Where should the funds come from?
3. What are the priorities?
4. How should decisions on allocating funds be informed?
5. How should accountability for funding decisions be ensured?
26
Funding
Attributes for fundraising:• Everyone contributes (everyone benefits)• Engage public – clear need, clear what funds will be used
for, compelling story • Reasonable administration costs
Attributes for fund allocation and management: • Transparent• Accountable• Decisions on allocation made by gov, scientists,
practitioners, local • Include First Nations in allocations
Funding
27
Fundraising – some of…• Big tent approach (everyone benefits, everyone pays):
increase to sales tax (0.125%)– Gasoline tax, real estate tax
• User pays approaches– Industry contributions (those who disturb habitat pay
accordingly)– Consumption tax – on outdoor equipment– Excise tax (at manufacturing level)– ALL licence fee goes to conservation (not just surcharge)
• Or – do we just reallocate funds from crisis to proactive? 28
Funding
25 26
27 28
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 37
8
Managing and allocating funds:• Decisions by multi- interest group/advisory
panel/technical committee– Those who contribute should have a say
• Fund within gov – or not? – pros and cons • Need to be accountable, transparent, FOIPA
• Consider different pots of funding – e.g., admin, inventory, research… may need different approaches
29
Funding
1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the current approach to wildlife planning and objective setting?
2. What could be revised or what would other approaches to wildlife planning and objective setting look like?
30
Source: Steve Wilson
Wildlife Planning and Objectives
Problems identified:• Lack of consistent objectives that apply to all resource
users, leading to fragmented and siloed management• Failure to account for economic value of wildlife• Insufficient monitoring• Trying to do everything for everyone, everywhere
31
Wildlife Planning and ObjectivesSetting objectives:• Everything flows from population objectives for game and non-
game species (but not all species)• Infrastructure required — provincial- and regional-scale boards
with broad representation and expert support• Objective-setting policy framework that address core principles,
some options:– Climate adaptation/ecosystem resilience/representation– Carrying capacity/sustenance and recreational demand– Cost-benefit
• Approach needs to be flexible, scalable• Equal footing to legal objectives in statutory decision-making 32
Wildlife Planning and Objectives
29 30
31 32
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 38
9
Valuing wildlife:• Change the economic model to change incentives and
therefore human behaviour• Develop a price structure - those who exploit must pay, those
who enhance get paid• Market model to link to abundance (increasing price with
lower abundance)
33
Wildlife Planning and ObjectivesPublish annual report on state of wildlife in BC:• Varying levels of detail • Use best available data
– Science (including Citizen)– Local knowledge– Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Data, Information and Knowledge
Expand and promote use of Citizen Science for gathering wildlife and habitat data:• Use existing tools
– Road Watch BC– Wild Cam– Moose Track App
Data, Information and Knowledge
Make data and information a priority for ongoing supportive funding
Develop centralized access to online databases of data and information• CDC• SPI
Data, Information and Knowledge
33 34
35 36
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 39
10
Foster partnering to collect and share data between different organizations and agencies• governments, universities, industries, First Nations
Develop a data management policy to streamline the process• Identification, collection, analysis, sharing
37
Data, Information and Knowledge Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat
1. What would improved decision-making models look like?
38
Source: Steve Wilson
• Regional decision making within an overarching provincial strategy
• Provincial level Wildlife Board (or similar): provincial strategy, clear vision, and objective targets that consider science-based data, cumulative effects, and socio-economic values
• General support for First Nations, stakes and gov at the same table in a regional roundtable manner (more than the ‘traditional’ stakeholders (trappers/hunters/guides)
39
Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat
• Regional / roundtables to help develop the provincial strategy, set science-based and transparent objectives, and provide independent oversight. Two way communication with the Provincial Wildlife Board (or similar) is critical.
• Examples:
– The moose solutions in Chilcotin (co-management approach with First Nations)
– Cariboo Progress Board (expanded version)– Yukon approach
40
Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat
37 38
39 40
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 40
11
• Ensure decision-makers for ALL natural resource decisions across all legislation (Land Act, Coal Act etc.) MUST consider wildlife objectives – may require Environmental Land Use Act or similar legislation
• Ensure that wildlife and habitat objectives apply on park land as well as on other crown lands.
• Government decisions should be transparent; and the rationale behind decisions and tradeoff considerations clearly documented and explained.
41
Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat
• Overall - if we identify a new model for decision making that involves both regional decision making and First Nations co-management, we’d have come a long way from where we are now!
42
Decision Making for Wildlife and Habitat
• Wildlife Habitat Management (Ballroom A)
• Achieving Desired Outcomes (Ballroom B/C)
• Stakeholder Engagement (Ballroom D)
Day 2 Policy Breakout Groups (9 – 12 pm)
43
Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation
Workshop January 30 – 31, 2019
Harvests from Day 2 Policy Breakout Groups
41 42
43 44
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 41
12
Stakeholder Engagement
1. Minister’s Advisory Council
• Province-wide
• Broad sectoral participation
• High level
• e.g., Tourism Council
45
2. Regional Advisory Committees
• Broad sectoral participation
• Terms of reference critical
• Roles
• Rotating membership
• Representativeness
46
Stakeholder Engagement
3. Management Planning Engagement
• To be determined
47
Stakeholder Engagement
4. Stakeholder / public mailing lists
• Fundamentally important step
• How to “gather” interest
• Sign-up on Engage BC
• Use existing mailings
• Privacy concerns
48
Stakeholder Engagement
45 46
47 48
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 42
13
5. Improve Engage BC
• Follow-up reports
• Personal response to people
• Use video
• Make “blog” posts more positive – moderate?
• Demographic study – Who uses it?
49
Stakeholder Engagement
6. Improve Communications
• Communications plan – to reach people
• Social media policy
• Meeting challenges in rural areas
50
Stakeholder Engagement
7. Ensure government accountable on all decisions
• What we heard
• What we did about it
• Why
51
Stakeholder Engagement Wildlife Habitat Management
1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the current approach to wildlife habitat management?
2. What are alternative or improved approaches to wildlife habitat management?
52
49 50
51 52
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 43
14
• Major theme: managing to resilience– Recognizing climate and economic shifts (static to
dynamic):• wildfire response• future opportunity
– Services model: • wildlife, food, fibre, forage, mineral, recreation, tourism,
cultural, spiritual
53
Wildlife Habitat Management• Shifts in approach
– Moving towards regulatory alignment– More intentional management at all scales:
• Operational planning• Landscape unit planning• Regional and provincial alignment
– Maximizing value from a fixed land base• ensuring the effectiveness of management actions• leverage value of the private land base and the experts
who manage it • properly valuing goods and services derived from
habitat 54
Wildlife Habitat Management
Achieving Desired Outcomes
1. Tracking expenditures
2. Measuring outcomes
3. Reporting outcomes
4. Program evaluation
55Source: Steve Wilson
• Are we achieving our stated objectives – how do we know? • Need for a big fix – long term • What can we do in short term? Tracking• Database/website – gov and non-gov projects, status• Include info industry already gathering Measuring• Audit of lands designated in some way for conservation
• Is this designation working, what needs to change?• Would another piece of land achieve this better?
56
Achieving Desired Outcomes
53 54
55 56
IWMHCStakeholderWorkshopMeetingNotes 44
15
• Systematic monitoring – Identify key species– Provincial scale indicators– Measurement over years– Annual reporting – outcomes, how $ spent, what needs to
change/improve– Learn from others – best practices– Regional approach: Pilot project – NE BC
• Effectiveness monitoring – are actions leading to the desired outcomes
• Have criteria for objectives, e.g., habitat condition57
Achieving Desired Outcomes
Reporting• Annual reporting
– Prepared/reviewed by independent groupIntegrated decision making • Many players on the land with siloed decision making, need to
focus on cumulative effects, integrated decisions• Strategic approach• Think long term but identify key actions to take now, then
what comes next • Focus government activities on what gov does best (e.g.,
setting objectives, synthesizing data, preventative approaches)
58
Achieving Desired Outcomes
57 58