Project Description

Integrated Planning and Adaptive Management Framework – Integrating Environmental, Economic, and Social Considerations in Land use Planning

The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA) is a partnership of forestry companies and environmental organizations that seek to conserve significant areas of Canada’s boreal forest, protect threatened woodland caribou, sustain a healthy forest sector, and support local communities. Regional working groups are charged with developing land use planning recommendations to provincial and Aboriginal governments. These multi-stakeholder working groups need practical tools and methods to deal constructively with a range of scientific uncertainties and difficult value-based trade-offs.

Compass was commissioned to develop guidance to support CBFA regional working groups in integrating environmental, economic, and social considerations in land use planning. We developed a framework based on best practices with respect to resource management and decision making, drawing largely on methods from Structured Decision Making and Adaptive Management. We adapted these methods based on input from key users and the CBFA independent science committee. The framework is designed to complement existing technical guidance on protected areas and caribou conservation planning. The approach supports a transparent and consistent approach to planning and decision making while allowing flexibility for the conditions in individual regions. The report is available here.

Related Projects: Forests and Lands, Structured Decision Making, Adaptive Management, Public Policy

Project Details

• ClientCanadian Boreal Forest Agreement