Managing Non-Timber Resources

Throughout the Municipal Forest, various non-timber harvesting related resources have been carefully planned for and strategies have been developed to ensure protection of these values.

Riparian Resources & Wildlife Habitat

Protected bear den in second growth forest

Riparian Zones

Creek and stream side zones are managed to protect the important plant and animal habitat existing within these highly diverse areas. In accordance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and Regulations, buffers are maintained where necessary and special attention is placed on preserving known habitat and special features.

Fish Testing (resident cutthroat trout)

Wildlife Habitat

Within TFL26 landbase, areas have been designated as permanently protected within long term reserves. The selection of these areas is based on important riparian areas, known habitat, and other areas with special features such as wetlands, pocket wilderness, and remaining old growth areas. Approximately 13% of our landbase is permanently protected. It is anticipated that this number will increase over time as more habitat features are identified.

Reserve Trees & Visual Resources

Reserves Trees

The City of Mission is committed to maintaining a percentage of standing live mature trees, uniformly left across logged areas. These trees provide valuable vertical structure in the openings for wildlife habitat. As these trees decay, they contribute as woody debris over time providing habitat for insects, nesting sites for birds, and future forage areas for other animals.

Visual Resources

Scenic landscapes are valuable resources that are important for tourists, recreationalists and residents. In the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone, it is generally not appropriate to complete selective logging. Douglas-fir, an ecologically suited species in the Mission area, is not shade tolerant. Selective cut areas, which are often quite shady, cannot support the survival or growth of Douglas-fir in a new forest under these conditions. Therefore reserves trees are maintained (as above) to enhance biodiversity as well as aid in visual landscape management. Where significant sensitive viewpoints have been determined, visual impact assessments are completed with the aid of digital terrain models, to show how logged areas would look upon completion of harvesting, allowing the opportunity to change the design of the future settings before logging, if required.