British Columbia is defined by its land and water. Forests, rivers, alpine meadows and rugged coastlines aren’t just scenery. They’re the backbone of our economy, our culture and our shared identity. And unlike many places in Canada, these landscapes are overwhelmingly public, with nearly 94% of B.C. made up of Crown, or public, land.
People use public land for hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing, camping or simply connecting with nature. Industries such as tourism, mining, energy, forestry and agriculture use public land to sustain jobs and communities, driving economic development in every corner of the province.
Thoughtful planning for how we manage this resource is critical. In B.C., land-use plans identify how public land is used, outlining what can happen where and by whom. And although more than 90% of public land is covered by existing land-use plans, these plans were completed in the 1990s to early 2000s. Some are outdated, don’t meet the needs of everyone, and don’t reflect the modern realities of climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for sustainable natural-resource management.
Updating land-use plans ensures public land remains both protected and productive. We’re working at the local level to understand what matters to people and how they think public land should be managed in their communities. Together with First Nations, we’re talking extensively with local governments, industry, external partners, communities and people who live, work and recreate in the planning areas.