The incorporation of research into attempts to improve forest policy in British Columbia

During the 1990s, a number of major changes occurred in forest policy in British Columbia. The Forest Practices Code was enacted in 1994, based largely on the best available science at the time. The Code was highly prescriptive, and is believed to have substantially increased the costs of forest operations in the province. Following criticisms of the Code and the financial burden it imposed, some revisions were introduced. In the same period (the second half of the 1990s), the provincial government announced a number of programs ostensibly aimed at introducing innovation to the forest sector, but in reality more closely associated with creating employment. Three forms of pilot projects were started: the Innovative Forest Practices Agreements, the Results-based Forest Practices Code Pilot Projects and the Community Forest Pilots. To date, these have met with limited success, although it is possible that with time, they may generate the type of information sought by the government. Unfortunately, links to research have sometimes been weak, reflecting a declining investment in forestry sector research and development in the province. Closer links between research and the stimulation of innovation would lead to greater chances of success for the programs attempting to improve the scientific basis of forest management in British Columbia.