First Nations Woodland Licence

First Nations woodland licences are an area-based, long term forest tenure unique to First Nations.

First Nations woodland licences recognize First Nations' asserted land and resource interests, including the protection of traditional-use practices and the harvest and management of non-timber forest products.

This long-term and area-based tenure allows First Nations to:

• Have an increased role in forest stewardship
• Protect traditional uses
• Manage forest and land use in the area
• Improve their ability to secure investment and loans

First Nations may be eligible to sign a First Nations woodland licence if:

• The First Nation signs a forest tenure opportunity agreement,
• There is a source of replaceable allowable annual cut,
• There is an available operating area, and
• The licence is approved through a mandate signed by the minister responsible for forests.

First Nations Woodland Licence Documents

• First Nations Woodland Licence Management Plan Handbook (PDF)
• First Nations Woodland Licence Information Guide (PDF)
• Provincial Guide for the preparation of Information Packages and Analysis Reports for Area-based Tenures (PDF 2MB)
• Comparison of Replaceable Direct Award Forest Tenures (PDF)
• First Nations Woodland Licence Award Process Map (PDF)
• Issued First Nations Woodland Licences (XLSX)

Contact us for current licence and cutting permit templates at ForestTenuresBranch@gov.bc.ca.