Module 1. What is an FLP?
A Forest Landscape Plan (FLP) is a new long-term, landscape-level plan with a forestry focus that considers cumulative impacts on water, biodiversity, cultural values, and other important factors. The FLP process identifies where timber harvesting, conservation, and other important values should occur across the landscape. It also sets limits and guidelines to help direct forestry operations. Once in place, FLPs will legally replace existing Forest Stewardship Plans (FSPs).
The FLP process allows First Nations within the plan area to collaboratively develop a plan with the BC government through the Ministry of Forests (MOF), with input from forest tenure holders in the FLP area—something that was not done under FSPs.
FLPs are designed to make it easier for First Nations and stakeholders to manage a range of forest values, understand and project future forest conditions, and track forest operations at the landscape level. The goal is to develop a plan through a collaborative and inclusive process that balances ecological health, cultural values, and human needs across defined landscapes.
Under the FSP system, this approach was less effective because it relied on meeting general requirements under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) at the forest development unit (FDU) level to support operational planning (such as cutting permits and road permits). FSPs are tied to licensee operating areas and often overlap, contributing to coordination challenges and confusion for affected First Nations and stakeholders.
FLPs aim to create more holistic and collaborative goals and objectives that are measurable and verifiable across defined landscapes. These plans focus on building resilient forest ecosystems for future generations of people and wildlife. In addition to timber objectives, FLPs are designed to address important non-timber values such as water stewardship, cultural fire, and wildlife habitat. These elements contribute to ecosystem resilience and more directly support First Nations rights to hunt, trap, and use the land for sustenance, cultural, and spiritual purposes.
In 2021, the formal FLP process was introduced by the MOF through legislative modernization efforts. The provincial government continues to fund and administer the process and has identified it as an ongoing priority. As of early 2026, six plans are in progress, with only one completed, and large areas of the province have not yet begun the process. In 2021, the formal FLP process was introduced by the MOF through legislative modernization efforts. The provincial government continues to fund and administer the process and has identified it as an ongoing priority. As of early 2026, six plans are in progress, with only one completed, and large areas of the province have not yet begun the process.
Once completed, an FLP replaces existing Forest Stewardship Plans within the planning area. It is intended to act as a bridge between high-level land use planning and operational, on-the-ground forestry activities (Forest Operations Plans, or FOPs). An FLP is not a land use plan.
For many First Nations, FLPs represent an opportunity to help define values and priorities, build partnerships, and increase co-management of forestry within their territories.
Unlike traditional forestry planning, which often focuses on individual harvest areas, FLPs examine entire watersheds, forest ecosystems, and landscape units that reflect ecological and geographic realities. They also project future forest conditions in ways that help inform management decisions.
This broader, landscape-scale approach aligns with the perspectives of many First Nations, who view their territories as interconnected systems where land, water, plants, animals, and people are closely linked. In some cases, FLP areas may align with traditional territorial boundaries or include shared or overlapping territories.
Effective landscape-level planning considers
- Ecological scales needed to manage and protect:
- Wildlife habitat and the range of forest stages that support it
- Watersheds that maintain clean, reliable water and fish habitat
- Cultural and spiritual values (such as traditional foods, plants, medicines, and fire practices), and the transfer of knowledge across generations
- Expected future forest conditions
- Trade-offs between ecological and socioeconomic values, integrated through spatial planning
First Nations view forests as living ecosystems that include villages, trails, harvesting areas, medicines, sacred places, and cultural histories. They also recognize the challenges facing plants, wildlife, fish, and other species due to cumulative impacts from forest harvesting, wildfires, drought, and events such as the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic.
First Nations stewardship knowledge, interests, and responsibilities come from inherent rights, legal traditions, and long-standing relationships with the land, water, and air—not from provincial laws or policies.
While an FLP does not define or grant rights, it can provide a structured forum where:
- First Nations knowledge systems are considered alongside Western science
- Cultural values are identified and mapped at the landscape scale
- Objectives reflect both ecological and cultural priorities
- Decision-making supports partnership approaches
Meaningful participation in an FLP can influence how forestry is managed in ways that better reflect First Nations stewardship values. Moving from FSPs to collaborative FLPs represents an important improvement over the previous system.
A key feature of FLPs is the partnership-based planning approach between First Nations, the Province, and forest licensees. While models may vary by planning area, FLPs are intended to move beyond project-by-project consultation toward structured partnerships between First Nations and the MOF.
The shared goal is to manage and maintain forest ecosystems that are more resilient to climate change while supporting future timber supply and sustaining people, wildlife, and other species that depend on these ecosystems.
From a governance perspective, FLPs provide:
- Joint development of values
- Joint development of objectives
- Shared technical working groups
- Agreed-upon monitoring and adaptive management frameworks
- Greater transparency in decision-making
FLPs do not replace broader processes related to First Nations rights, title, or treaties. However, they provide a practical way to advance shared planning and decision-making in forestry today. Legislative changes, evolving policy frameworks, and increasing pressures from cumulative impacts—such as harvesting, wildfires, insects, and disease—have made it both possible and urgent for First Nations, the BC government, and forest licensees to work together on forest landscape planning and governance.
First Nations stewardship is guided by a holistic, long-term perspective developed over generations. This approach recognizes that everything is connected and emphasizes responsibility to future generations.
Forest Landscape Planning, when effectively implemented, can support long-term stewardship by:
- Establishing clear objectives for future forest conditions and ecosystem resilience
- Incorporating monitoring and adaptive management
- Addressing cumulative impacts at the landscape level
- Considering how today’s decisions affect future generations
- Supporting a stable, predictable, and sustainable timber supply and related economic benefits
This intergenerational perspective aligns closely with Indigenous stewardship principles and strengthens the case for thoughtful, durable FLP frameworks.
When approached strategically, forest landscape planning can contribute to more resilient forest ecosystems, stronger relationships between First Nations and the BC government, and clearer, measurable goals for all forest licensees, First Nations, and other land users. These outcomes can be supported through ongoing monitoring and adaptive management.
