Regional Wildlife Advisory Committees

Action 2 in the Together for Wildlife strategy commits to creating or expanding existing regional wildlife advisory committees to represent a variety of perspectives and provide opportunities for collaboration to improve wildlife stewardship.

This commitment is founded on the principle that wildlife stewardship is a shared responsibility that requires diverse viewpoints.

Action 2 also aims to bring communities together to:

• Represent a unified voice for wildlife and their habitat
• Foster dialogue between parties with diverse perspectives and knowledge systems
• Strengthen individual and collective relationships with the land
• Work collaboratively towards common goals and shared objectives

Role and function

When these advisory groups work together in collaboration, there are many possible roles, functions and opportunities for them to enhance and inform the Together for Wildlife strategy. They support the sharing of perspectives, collaboration and relationship-building among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in an ethical space which prioritizes healthy ecosystems. Their role is advisory, not decision-making, as they support biodiversity, wildlife and their habitats, and healthy ecosystems across the province.

These advisory groups may also:

• Collaboratively identify shared regional priorities and goals, including informing wildlife and habitat objectives
• Support regional planning to guide the implementation of the Together for Wildlife strategy in both the short and long-term
• Work together to measure how well the Together for Wildlife strategy is being implemented regionally to monitor its effectiveness and performance
• Play an important role in providing high level, technical advice that reflects regional concerns
• Link with other existing regional and provincial level groups
• Facilitate implementation of the Together for Wildlife strategy (for example by identifying related projects undertaken through different initiatives)

Different structures may be developed to meet the intent of Action 2, including formal committee(s) or punctuated event(s). These advisory groups will respect and recognize the distinct relationship between provincial and Indigenous governing bodies. These structures will uphold the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and support reconciliation.

For more information, access the Regional Wildlife Advisory Committee's Action 2 information sheet (PDF, 184KB).

Implementation

Since April 2022, ministry staff have been working in collaboration with the Ministers’ Wildlife Advisory Council, First Nations – B.C. Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Forum and the Provincial Hunting and Trapping Advisory Team to develop options for how these groups can work together (e.g., committees, working groups, round tables). As well, work on guiding principles and draft Terms of Reference is ongoing.

Ministry staff in many regions of the province have started engaging with interested parties, exploring how to implement Action 2, and having early conversations to determine the best approach to create or expand regional wildlife advisory committees or similar structures. Some regions have identified the advisory structures they want to use and are have established members for their committees.

Learn more about the current committees:

• Kootenay-Boundary Region (East Kootenay)
• Thompson-Okanagan Region