Procter, B.C. – The Harrop Procter Community Cooperative (HPCC) has released a series of videos that highlight the local community, wildfire risks in the surrounding forests, and some of the work being done to adapt to climate change.

Produced by local Nelson-based film production company Watershed Productions, the four short videos – and accompanying 1-minute trailers – focus on climate change adaptation and wildfire risk reduction initiatives undertaken by the cooperative.

“Our community has told us that the inter-related issues of wildfire and climate change are top of mind”, says HPCC forest manager and the videos’ executive producer Erik Leslie. “Next to clean drinking water, wildfire risk reduction is the primary concern of local residents.

“Our watersheds are mostly uniform mature forests that originated from large fires 110 years ago. Our climate is changing, our forests are stressed, and the increased threat of wildfires requires planning and action to improve forest resilience.”

HPCC has managed their 11,300 hectare community forest on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake since 2000. For the past decade, the community forest has been working to reduce wildfire risks by thinning the forest, retaining large fire-tolerant trees, and promoting the growth of deciduous trees and shrubs.

“Producing this series of videos gave our team a master class as we learned from experts and residents in our region about the impact of climate change on our forests and how HPCC uses strategies for wildfire risk reduction that are ahead of curve”, explained Amy Bohigan of Watershed Productions. “The collaboration we enjoyed with HPCC created meaningful work for my team since we know the video series will benefit communities across British Columbia and beyond for years to come.”

The videos were funded through a partnership between the Province of BC and Columbia Basin Trust. The videos can be viewed on HPCC’s YouTube channel at HP Community Forest – YouTube or on their website at https://hpcommunityforest.org/community-updates/ 

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Contact:

Administrator
Harrop Procter Community Cooperative (250) 229-2271
coordinator@hpcommunityforest.org

www.hpcommunityforest.org