30 x 30 and Land Use Planning

We support long-term land use planning. In the short term, BC’s biodiversity crisis demands immediate action to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems. We cannot wait for LUP to be completed before taking steps to prevent further loss.
Protecting Wildlife Habitat
Protecting wildlife and habitat in British Columbia

300,000+ British Columbians

The strength of our advocacy comes from our diversity. By bringing together traditionally separate groups under a shared respect for nature, we ensure that the provincial government hears the collective voice of BC’s outdoor community. Healthy habitats mean abundant wildlife, thriving fish populations, and a vibrant future for outdoor recreation.
BC Nature
Fraser Valley Salmon Society
Ducks Unlimited Canada
BCWF
28
Organizations

Why Land Use Planning Is Necessary for Healthy Wildlife

There are areas of conservation concern that require immediate attention. Land use planning is a long-term goal, and we support that happening. Still, we also want to emphasize the urgency of the biodiversity crisis in BC and the need to implement measures that protect vulnerable species and ecosystems now, rather than waiting for LUP.

Overall, we want to see British Columbia fulfill its 30×30 commitment. We expect that this commitment is met; the following asks are how you can get it done!

Our asks are:

  1. Conservation-Focused Land Use Planning
  2. Early, Meaningful and Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement
  3. Recognition of the Economic Contributions of Protected Areas
  • Commercial Bear Viewing Association
  • Raincoast Conservation Foundation
  • Yellowstone to Yukon
  • Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
  • BC Trappers Association
  • BC Nature
  • Wilderness Tourism Association of BC
  • BC Federation of Drift Fishers
  • Traditional Bowhunters of BC
  • Wildsight
  • Coast to Cascades Grizzley Bear Intiative
  • Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • Fraser Valley Angling Guide Association
  • Watershed Watch Salmon Society
  • Fraser Valley Salmon Society
  • BC Federation of Fly Fishers
  • BCWF
  • British Columbia Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
  • Skeena Wild
  • Great River Fishing
  • Wildlife Stewardship Council
  • Guide Outfitters Association of BC
  • WSSBC
  • The Steelhead Society of British Columbia
  • CPAWS BC
  • United Bowhunters of BC
  • Hunters for BC
  • BC Fishing Tourism Association

1. Conservation-Focused Land Use Planning

Core Position: Land use planning of all kinds (including Forest Landscape Planning) must recognize fish, wildlife and habitat as foundational public interests and embed conservation objectives, including progress toward 30×30, from the outset of planning. This must apply to all levels of resource activities.

Key Asks:

  • Ensure biodiversity conservation and 30×30 objectives are embedded into provincial land use planning
    • Areas of current biodiversity/restoration/conservation concern should be in focus
    • Ensure protected areas are strategically selected based on ecological value, climate resilience, connectivity, and future habitat needs.
  • Ensure that protected areas first and foremost function to support fish, wildlife and habitat health and sustainability, and, where conditions allow, work to support compatible uses including hunting, angling, trapping, recreation, tourism, and cultural values
    • Conditions for allowance based on wildlife objectives and evidence 
  • Ensure long-term investment in management, restoration, monitoring, and stewardship of protected areas.
  • Ensure the economic contribution of protected areas, wildlife habitat, and healthy ecosystems is well documented and considered in planning decisions
    Enshrine effective wildlife-centred outcomes with measurable results

Healthy fish and wildlife populations are central to the long-term ecological, cultural, and economic wellbeing of British Columbia. The FWHC agrees that land use planning outcomes must explicitly consider the protection and management of wildlife and their habitats. Whether it is in protected areas or in special management zones, management direction must:

  • Include measurable objectives or indicators that commit to demonstrable success over time;
  • Maintain and, where necessary, restore habitat required to support self-sustaining wildlife populations, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding intact ecosystems rather than relying on restoration to compensate for habitat loss;
  • Provide connectivity to support wide-ranging wildlife species; and
  • Recognize the importance of seasonal movements, migration routes, and habitat connectivity.

Effective planning should move beyond intent statements alone and incorporate clear, measurable outcomes, such as trends in population health, habitat condition, or landscape connectivity. This is particularly important in a region where large, relatively intact ecosystems still exist and where proactive planning can prevent future declines rather than reacting to them after the fact.  

2. Early, Meaningful and Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement

Core Position: The Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition should have a transparent and ongoing role in provincial land use planning processes alongside Indigenous governments, local communities, industry, and other stakeholders.

Key Asks:

  • Establish formal opportunities for FWHC participation early in provincial policy and procedure development in land use planning.
  • Recognize the value in including the Coalition as representatives of a broad cross-section of conservation, recreation, tourism, and sustainable use organizations.
  • Ensure stakeholder engagement occurs before major planning decisions are finalized.
  • Ensure conservation planning reflects Indigenous leadership and knowledge.
  • Build collaborative planning processes that prioritize conservation while recognizing sustainable economic development and community interests.

More Details: FWHBC Principles of Engagement.

3. Account for the Economic Contribution of Protected Areas, Fish and Wildlife, and Healthy Ecosystems When Making Land Use Decisions

Core Positions: Protected areas provide long-term economic, ecological, and social benefits that support communities across British Columbia. Economic contribution/value of conservation in land use planning decision-making.

Protected areas support tourism, outdoor recreation, guiding, hunting, angling, and wildlife viewing as major contributors to BC’s economy. For these to be successful, healthy fish, wildlife and habitat are required. 

Healthy ecosystems build long-term resilience that leads to fewer costs spent on emergency mitigation (floods, fires, landslides), and can be seen as a long-term economic benefit over short-term gain. Provincial costs of doing emergency restoration/mitigation work = savings

Key Asks:

  • Maintain healthy ecosystems, including species at risk, to avoid further decline (and therefore higher costs of recovery)   
  • Incorporate ecosystem services, climate resilience, and long-term economic value into land use decisions.
  • Support economic analyses demonstrating the value of healthy landscapes.
  • Consider future habitat needs under climate change when identifying conservation priorities.
  • Evaluate long-term impacts of financial decisions (next generation) over short term  
  • Evaluate the total financial impact of a land decision over decades, rather than years.

Working document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D4OjAoLRUYXbnSZZU_MYpyaXuuzMYw8–rBqbPEj57g/edit?tab=t.0

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