People
in rural and First Nations communities are those most directly
affected by resource extraction activities, yet often they have
the least say in the decisions that are made. By developing their
own information that reflects ecosystem-based principles and their
unique vision, communities across Canada are taking control of
what happens on the lands that surround and sustain them.
Since
1993, the Silva Forest Foundation has been working with communities
in many parts of Canada to develop and implement ecosystem-based
conservation plans that will protect the integrity of ecosystems,
protect cultural activities, maintain strong communities, and
develop diverse, community-based economies. Twelve communities
have completed ecosystem-based plans with Silva.
While
Silva can provide the technical and professional expertise to
develop ecosystem-based plans, we rely on the First Nation and
rural communities we work with to define and implement strategies
for effectively using the information.
Silva encourages full participation of First Nations and local
communities throughout the ecosystem-based planning process. Accommodation
of First Nations aboriginal title and rights is a major factor
in designing and implementing an ecosystem-based planning process.
First Nation and rural community participants contribute important
information that is included in the planning products.
Community
interests that participate with Silva in an ecosystem-based planning
process need to have a significant constituency, a clear means
of regularly communicating with their constituency, and a clear
means of being held accountable to their constituency and to the
broader community. All participating interests, need to be comfortable
with the philosophy and principles of an ecosystem-based approach
to planning.
The mapping and information resulting from ecosystem-based conservation
planning can be used in many ways, depending on the goals of each
community. Across Canada, communities are using ecosystem-based
planning to:• Establish large protected areas and connecting
corridors
• Obtain and operate a community forest licence
• Negotiate accommodation of aboriginal title and rights
• Argue legal actions related to aboriginal title and rights
• Protect traditional and cultural uses of the land
• Combine traditional use information with ecological information
• Participate effectively in land use planning processes
• Create bylaws regulating activities on private forest land
• Revise Official Community Plans
• Educate the public, government, and industry
• Evaluate industry plans
• Pressure timber companies to adopt ecosystem-based approaches
• Provide the cornerstone of long-term planning for the protection and use of the land
• Design logging operations in woodlots and community forests
• Protect water quality
• Protect wildlife habitat
• Develop diversified, long-term economic opportunities
• Bring together people with diverse viewpoints
• Train people in the community to implement the ecosystem-based plan
• Build relationships between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in the community
• Include all voices in the community in the planning process
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