Region Archives: Canada West

Registration is now open for our 2026 Conference & AGM with Early Bird pricing. The event will take place from June 3-5 in Vernon, BC, where community forest leaders, partners, and supporters will gather to connect, collaborate, and inspire action. The field trip will be hosted by Monashee Community Forest, a partnership of the Splatsin First Nation and the Village of Lumby. 

Quesnel City Council has endorsed the “Forestry is a Solution” campaign. Erin Robinson, Forestry Initiatives Manager at the City, talked about the “Forestry is a Solution” campaign at the most recent Council meeting. “It was launched in January at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.  The “Forestry is a Solution” campaign is led by a coalition of forest sector organizations, community leaders, workers, and industry advocates to demonstrate strong public support for British Columbia’s forest sector. The initiative highlights forestry’s role in: supporting affordable housing, reducing wildfire risk through active forest management, sustaining family-supporting jobs, generating public revenues, and contributing to lower carbon construction.” Robinson said it is in line with Council’s concerns over the current state of the industry.

Alison Nicholson

2026 was intended to be the final year of the joint effort by the province and Cowichan Tribes to heal the Xwulqw’selu/Koksilah watershed — bringing back summer river flows, restoring fish habitat, and reducing damaging winter floods. …it is clear we need more time. …Research shows that industrial forestry practices — specifically clearcutting — increase the frequency and severity of winter floods, which directly degrades instream habitat and worsens summer droughts. This tells us that while reducing water extraction in the lower watershed is necessary, it isn’t enough. …we cannot have a healthy river without addressing how the land is treated. …On Feb. 25, Mosaic Forest Management …announced a pilot to test new watershed stewardship approaches in the Koksilah Watershed. While welcome, it must be more than a private initiative. To succeed, the community needs assurance that it will be integrated into the planning process, with public access to data, independent review, and clear timelines.

City of Powell River councillors were provided an overview on March 5 of Tla’amin Nation’s negotiations to repatriate access to forest lands currently held by Western Forest Products (WFP). Adam Culos, general manager of Thichum Forest Products, said that Tla’amin had announced a milestone agreement, where Thichum Forest Products, through Tla’amin, is working on an agreement with WFP to acquire Tree Farm Licence 39 block one. Seanna McConnell, Western Forest Products vice-president, Indigenous partnerships, said Qwoqwnes Forestry Holdings Limited Partnership, wholly owned by Tla’amin, will be purchasing 100 per cent ownership of WFP’s Stillwater forest operation for $80 million. …Culos said the acquisition … supports Thichum’s long-term success through investment in their business and the future of the community, [adding] that almost all the wood supplies domestic mills, so there are three fibre supply agreements. One will be WFP, supporting the company’s five coastal mills, along with Mosaic Forest Management and Domtar.

Reconstruction of Cliff Gilker Park’s Waterfall and Gorge bridges is to commence shortly and complete “well before the end of the year,” according to Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff, thanks to an agreement with the Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF). A contract award to SCCF to do that work was endorsed by the SCRD board at its Feb. 26 meeting. Completing those two replacements as a cooperative project, using wood rather than metal for bridge structures, will save the SCRD time and $578,930, according to a staff report. Rather than spending over $1.2 million as budgeted to reopen the two bridges, which were closed due to damage sustained during the November 2021 atmospheric rivers, the new project cost is $619,920. That price also covers trail resiliency work in the park.

A petition to reject a logging project in the Hatzic Valley has collected over 650 signatures. The proposed project would feature cut blocks between Kussman Road and Eng Road east of Mission, along with a new logging road. According to the province’s Forestry Operations Map, the project in question — FOM 2801 — is expected to be in operation from 2026 to 2030. In a statement to the Mission Record on Friday (March 6), the Ministry of Forests said it hasn’t received an application for a proposed road permit or a cutting permit at this time. “The licensee is welcome to submit an application for review by the Ministry of Forests,” the ministry said. The petition notes the history of landslides, flooding and debris flows in the area. It states that approving a new logging road construction would ignore decades of evidence and repeat past mistakes.

Mission, BC – Despite the continuing uncertainty around tariffs on softwood lumber, the City of Mission’s forestry operation saw a net profit of over $1.1 million last year from timber sales. By taking advantage of temporary market upticks throughout the year, the Forestry Department released three timber sales culminated in a net profit of $1,138,769 after fee and fund transfers in 2025. The original forecast for the year was a net profit of $459,133. The revenue from timber sales fuels the City of Mission’s Forestry Legacy Reserve. This unique reserve is used by Council to allocate funding for projects and initiatives that benefit the community now and into the future. Recent examples of this reserve in action include the new Emiry Park in Cedar Valley and the covered lacrosse box at Centennial Park – both of these projects were made possible in part by funding from the Forestry Legacy Reserve, funds that would otherwise need to be raised through taxation. 

Mosaic Forest Management is testing a new approach to forest management in the Koksilah watershed. The forest company is launching a multi-year pilot program on its private lands in the watershed to demonstrate how working forests can deliver both economic performance and environmental resilience by integrating watershed services, carbon programs, renewable energy, recreation and real estate activities alongside timber production. The Koksilah River has been experiencing persistent problems in recent years, including extreme water fluctuations and severely low flows in the summer months, which led to Cowichan Tribes and the province signing B.C.’s first water sustainability plan for the watershed in 2023, to find solutions. …“This pilot is about figuring out what works by combining sustainable forestry with watershed stewardship and other land solutions,” said Duncan Davies, president and CEO of Mosaic. “We’re committed to building the business model that makes this approach viable and scalable where the right conditions exist.”

The lack of significant snowfall in the mountains around Cowichan Lake could be a problem for water levels during the upcoming dry season, according to Brain Houle, the environment manager at the now closed Domtar pulp mill in Crofton. While Domtar shut the mill down earlier this year, the forest company agreed to continue operations at the weir until the end of 2026. Houle said that while there is still time to accumulate more snow before the winter ends, it is possible that the weather will not bring more snow to the mountains before warm weather begins the annual snow melt. “With the Crofton mill now shut down and water withdrawals from the river significantly reduced, it is even more important to avoid the need to use pumps this year,” …Houle said that a stakeholder meeting was recently held … to discuss water issues related to the Cowichan watershed in 2026, including weir operations.

The Quadra Island Peaceful Grannies are calling on the community to join a peaceful rally on Friday, Feb. 27, taking place outside the post office at Quathiaski Cove. The gathering is a stand against the ongoing over-logging of Quadra Island’s forests and the growing threat to the island’s watersheds, wildlife and ecological integrity. According to the group, across Quadra’s watersheds, from Darkwater Lake and Assu Creek to Beech’s Creek and beyond, the pattern is consistent. Roads are punched into previously unroaded forests, logging proceeds into areas designated for protection and communities are left to fight for their water, their fish, and their safety after the fact. The Peaceful Grannies are calling on the Government of B.C. to make changes to several policies and protections including placing a moratorium on logging of remaining old-growth and mature forests on Quadra Island until proper conservation plans are in place.

More local governments, contractors and First Nations will take on wildfire-risk-mitigation roles in and around their communities thanks to a $30-million investment in training, equipment and FireSmart programs. “Through powerful partnerships with local communities, we’re doing the work to get ahead of wildfire season,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “We’re investing in local governments, contractors and First Nations to mitigate the risks of wildfire, protecting people and community. This is how we create jobs, support workers and build more resilient forests, restoring confidence in our sector.” The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program is receiving an additional $15 million to continue prioritizing core FireSmart activities to protect the most vulnerable communities in B.C. The program is part of B.C.’s Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program. Along with the Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction program, it reduces wildfire risk by funding planning, education, co-ordination and fuel-management activities on publicly owned and Crown land.

@Flickr

B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar has begun imposing deadlines on some First Nations to try to speed up the drawn-out creation of new regional forestry plans. In a wide-ranging interview, Parmar told The Tyee that he has informed participants in two regional forest planning groups that they will be expected to complete work by the end of this year. Work on 15 forest landscape plans, or FLPs, began more than four years ago as part of an extensive effort to overhaul forest management practices in British Columbia. The plans are to be created after significant discussions with community members, industry representatives and local First Nations. But although B.C.’s former forests minister called the approach “transformational” four years ago, only one forest landscape plan — for a series of watersheds on Vancouver Island south of Port McNeill — has been completed so far. Now, Parmar said he has told some First Nations that discussions will need to produce results soon.

Prince George is once again surpassing expectations with the sale of two commercial thinning areas in the region, says BC’s forests minister. The sales were made to Freya Logging, a contractor based in Prince George. The total volume between the two sales is 14,005 cubic metres in the West Lake and Greg Creek area. Freya Logging will undertake commercial thinning, a forest management process that removes a portion of trees in a 35-year-old or older stand to create space and provide more light and nutrients for younger trees in the area, while older trees are cut down and sold. The process is also known to decrease the risk of forest fires by reducing fuel loads and increasing forest resilience against pests. BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar has been a strong advocate for commercial thinning in the province and considers these two sales a milestone for forestry in BC.

The Alberta government has released a new wildfire mitigation strategy aimed at reducing wildfire risk and protecting communities, forests and critical infrastructure across the province. The Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy outlines measures to improve preparedness and strengthen prevention efforts as wildfire seasons become more frequent and severe. Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said the strategy is intended to help communities better prepare for wildfire and reduce potential damage. …The strategy outlines six focus areas: improving knowledge of wildfire risks, strengthening community and Indigenous partnerships, reviewing legislation and policy, expanding the use of technology and innovation, integrating wildfire mitigation into landscape planning and prioritizing hazardous fuels management.

Members of the public are invited to an open house to learn about the development of a Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Watershed and Water Sustainability Plan, and provide input to help guide long-term approaches to water supply and ecosystem health in the area. The open house will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 3-6 p.m. at The Hub at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Road in the Cowichan Valley. The B.C. government and Cowichan Tribes are leading the development of the plan, building on several years of engagement with community members, farmers and industry through local advisory tables, such as the Cowichan Tribes Guidance Group and the Community Collaborative Advisory Table.

North Cowichan wants the province to expedite increases to water licences for the Cowichan and Chemainus aquifers. Council authorized Mayor Rob Douglas to write a letter to Randene Neill, B.C.’s Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, asking the government to accelerate the licence process at its meeting on Feb. 18. The request came after a presentation by North Cowichan’s engineering director Clay Reitsma on key infrastructure constraints in the municipality. Reitsma said that increased growth and development demands, provincial housing targets, and the recent closure of the Crofton pulp mill have combined to create significant constraints and impacts on North Cowichan’s limited water and sewer servicing, and water-licensing limits. He pointed out that most of Crofton’s water currently comes from the now closed Domtar mill… Domtar has committed to keep the water flowing from the mill’s water systems to Crofton until the end of 2026, but no promises have been made beyond that.

Introducing The Root of It — the official podcast of the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at UBC. In our debut episode, our host Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Dean, Dr. Rob Kozak, digs deep into the ideas, research and real-world impact shaping environmental stewardship today, with faculty members Dr. Janette Bulkan and Dr. Scott Hinch. From forests and climate to community and resilience, this is where bold conversations take root. This isn’t just a podcast about trees, it’s about the people, science and stories driving change for our planet.

Sqomish Forestry’s special projects superintendent Roger Lewis explained the motives behind the Indigenous company’s latest education initiative in Squamish; that is, to encourage school kids to plant cedar seedlings, and to carve a race canoe. Since 2019, Sqomish Forestry has operated under the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) business arm Nch’ḵay̓. “Sqomish Forestry shared about 1,000 western red cedar and yellow cedar seedlings with our friends and community members at the Squamish Nation’s Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta Úxwumixw (Community Operations), Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights & Title), and Elders teams, the St’a7mes School, and Don Ross Middle School,” Nch’ḵay announced last month. …Nch’ḵay’s vice president of forestry and sustainability Molly Hudson explained that the Nation intend to use their donations of cedar seedlings to rehabilitate sites such as schools as cedar itself has cultural significance with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and other coastal First Nations.

MISSION – Mission-area residents are invited to attend a CutBlock Party and help replant trees at the Mission Municipal Forest later this month. The City of Mission says the event will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to help reforest a recently logged cutblock by planting trees for the future and better understand how the municipality’s sustainable forestry operations support the community. The free event invites community members to enjoy easy guided hikes, try their hand at axe throwing, climb into a massive rock truck and explore the history and future of the forest.

Canada’s drinking water can remain at risk long after wildfires burn out, according to a global review by UBC Faculties of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and Applied Science. It found water-quality impacts often emerge months or years later—not just immediately after a fire. Researchers analyzed 23 studies across 28 watersheds worldwide, comparing pre- and post-fire levels of sediment, nutrients, metals, organic carbon, ions and wildfire-fighting chemicals. Across climates, contamination often intensified over time, particularly when storms or snowmelt washed stored ash and debris into rivers. The findings carry particular weight for Canada, where wildfire activity has intensified. In 2023, over 15 million hectares burned, more than twice the previous national record. …“Canada is entering a new era of wildfire risk,” said Dr. Loretta Li, senior author and UBC civil engineering professor. “If we want to protect drinking water, we have to treat wildfire impacts as long-term, not short-term.”

Wayne Clogg on right

Reflections from Forest Enhancement Society of BC’s First Board Chair, Wayne Clogg as FESBC marks its 10th anniversary… For decades, foresters across British Columbia (B.C.) within government, industry, and academia had been calling for increased public investment in forest management beyond basic reforestation obligations. “B.C. has world-class forest practice standards,” Clogg shared. “We ensure that harvested areas are replanted and planned appropriately, but there was no long-term program at the time to invest in improving forest conditions beyond that baseline.” …While FESBC was initially envisioned as fully independent, Clogg acknowledges that this structure proved impractical. “FESBC is, in reality, a Crown agency, delivering forest enhancement projects on behalf of the Provincial government,” he said. …As FESBC continues to steward government funding to invest in forest enhancement projects, Clogg hopes the public will continue to support sustained investment and recognize the Society’s ability to deliver high quality results with its many project partners.

Rob Botterell

“Talk and log” old growth, mill closures, drought, wildfires, lack of value-added products from second-growth forests, and climate change have shaken … the forest sector in BC. NDP forestry initiatives, such as the Old Growth Strategic Review, have stalled. Nor is the province any closer to protecting 30 per cent of the B.C. landbase by 2030, implementing the biodiversity and ecosystem health framework, local watershed governance, and a paradigm shift to a sustainable industry… Out of the 2025 Green/NDP Accord, an independent body, the Provincial Forest Advisory Council, developed a road map to transform forestry management to a system that delivers stability to the sector that everyone can support. …For my part as the Green caucus forests critic, I will continue to press for immediate implementation of the PFAC report, as well as previous commitments, including full implementation of the Old Growth Strategic Review, 30/30, the biodiversity and ecosystem health framework, and local watershed governance.

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) staff have returned to B.C. after supporting Forest Fire Management Victoria in Australia for the past month with wildfire-fighting efforts. “Our world-class BC Wildfire Service has once again stepped up on the global stage,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “As we prepare for the 2026 wildfire season, our BCWS crews consistently demonstrate exceptional skills, courage and professionalism wherever they’re called to serve.” On Jan. 25, 2026, BCWS deployed 37 people to the state of Victoria to help respond to the Walwa River Road fire and provide support in the Tallangatta Incident Control Centre. The team consisted of a 15-person incident management team, a 20-person fire crew and two agency representatives. …Ahead of this year’s wildfire season, B.C. continues work to keep people and communities safe by focusing on all four pillars of emergency management: prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Four regulatory amendments will make it easier and more efficient for people and businesses to get the natural-resource permits needed to rebuild homes from wildfire, begin new home construction and restore ecosystems. “We are making it easier and faster to start important projects, from rebuilding homes after disasters to restoring wetland habitat and industrial sites,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Shorter timelines mean projects get started faster, more jobs are created, and we all benefit from a stronger economy.” Changes to the Water Sustainability Regulation and the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation focus on improving clarity and supporting people and businesses to reduce project timelines. Flexibility has been added for developments in low-risk riparian areas, including after a wildfire or for utility maintenance, to proceed following a streamlined process. …Local governments, First Nations and Crown corporations will be able to conduct stream-restoration activities more easily.

FORT NELSON, B.C. — A joint operation by First Nations and the Northern Rockies community gave an update regarding salvageable lumber within the northeast. The Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN)  and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Community Forest is a joint entity to assist manufacturing companies in the Fort Nelson area, according to its general manager Percy Wright. Wright added it is a 50-50 partnership between both parties. …Being a community forest with a volume-based licence, it means the company is not allowed to harvest lumber outside a specific area. During the winter of 2025-26, Wright says the team at the community forest was able to recover salvageable wood from the wildfires of the past several years. …Salvaged wood was able to be sold to West Fraser Timber and sent to mills in Chetwynd and Quesnel. Funds went back into the reforestation of the area.

The February 2026 FGC eNewsletter highlights several key developments in forest genetics across British Columbia and beyond. It introduces Dan Nadir, RPF, as the new Executive Secretariat for FGC, succeeding Brian Barber, and outlines his forestry background and experience. The newsletter promotes an upcoming BC Seed Orchard Association webinar on March 12, featuring presentations on seed extraction and orchard management from Quebec and New Brunswick. Recent events where forest genetics featured prominently are covered, including presentations on seed planning in a changing climate at the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association conference and FGC’s participation at the Forest Professionals BC conference. The update also highlights a new national report identifying challenges and solutions for improving Canada’s tree seed supply chain. Finally, it lists upcoming meetings and conferences in 2026, such as tree improvement workshops and international seed orchard conferences, encouraging engagement and continued professional development.

In this newsletter you will find:

• Poll Finds Industry Members Unclear About WFCA Role: A recent WFCA survey found that many forestry sector contractors and staff may not be certain what the WFCA does. The WFCA is now developing a communications strategy for its members, the public and politicians. The goal is for the reforestation-restoration community to be recognized for their necessity to the wood products sector, their reliability as a supply chain, youth employment opportunities, growing role in recovering from and mitigating climate change, commitment to reconciliation, boon to rural economies, skill in growing seedlings and plants, example-setting in workplace safety and training, and their remarkable and skilled workers and their stories. 
• If a Restoration Economy is the Future of Our Forestry Sector, What Is It? “What is the restoration economy?” was the central question at last month’s WFCA Conference. 
• Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund Gets $5 Million

MISSION — Hundreds of Mission residents are hoping to stop a logging project at its root before the first branch breaks. The Hatzic Valley Community Association recently issued an advisory regarding plans to log between Eng and Kussman Roads, with construction set to begin this summer if Forest Service Road Proposal 2801 is permitted. Residents were then advised to share their thoughts about terrain stability, historical flooding and landslide events, or watershed concerns in the area before March 6 with the Chilliwack District Tenures Team. As of Thursday, February 26, a petition was started to stop the project, citing the watershed’s 44-year history of repeated debris flows, landslides and destructive flooding that have once damaged 45 homes in a single storm and relocated entire creek channels through residential areas.

The Regional District of Nanaimo now has the money to purchase Hamilton Marsh lands. While the original price tag was $30 million, Mosaic Forest Management lowered its asking price to $28 million in January and in a Wednesday, Feb. 25 press release, the RDN announced it has secured the finances to acquire the 360-hectare site. Almost $550,000 was raised by the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, Hamilton Wetlands and Forests Preservation Society and Oceanside Ducks Unlimited Canada, with additional assistance from the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Government of Canada, Nature Trust of B.C. and Sitka Foundation. …The deal is expected to close March 31 and subsequently, will be the RDN’s 13th regional park and conservation area, the press release said. …Mature forests within the Coastal Douglas-fir moist maritime subzone are located on the lands.

Results from a targeted deer hunt in the Cranbrook area show no new detections of chronic wasting disease (CWD), supporting ongoing efforts to contain and manage the disease in southeastern B.C. From Jan. 5-31, 2026, a general open-season deer hunt was implemented in a defined area near Cranbrook to bolster sampling efforts and reduce the risk of CWD spreading to surrounding deer and elk populations. A total of 228 deer were harvested during the hunt. All samples submitted for testing were negative for CWD. Of the deer harvested and tested, 79% were white-tailed deer and 21% were mule deer. Although no animals tested positive, targeted hunts within the established management zone aim to reduce deer population and density, providing fewer opportunities for close contact between animals and limiting the risk of CWD spread.

The newsletter highlights the ongoing work of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) as it enters its tenth year of operations, showcasing the positive impact of FESBC-funded partners on forests across British Columbia. It opens with a safety tip from the BC Forest Safety Council aimed at improving workplace orientations and on-the-ground safety. FESBC also invites readers to participate in its Decade in Review, asking for stories about memorable, locally meaningful projects that have strengthened forests or communities. The newsletter introduces FESBC’s new Administrative Assistant, Jen Kulchar, and celebrates community forestry by linking to the BC Community Forest Association’s new film, Rooted Together. It also features a Faces of Forestry profile on Hengda Liu and shares additional news on FESBC-related forestry developments and partnerships. Throughout, the focus remains on collaboration, forest resilience, and the people driving meaningful forestry work province-wide.

Many people in British Columbia, including those living in remote First Nations communities, still rely on forestry revenue to keep the lights on. But as the forestry industry continues to wade through economic uncertainty, outdated forest legislation and – in some regions – a declining fibre supply, one can’t help but wonder: Could shifting gears to tourism pay the bills? “We watched the fishing industry decline …Now we’re watching the forestry decline. We are in a place where we need to look at other options…. I think tourism is a great option for that story,” said Paula Amos, Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC). The harvest tenure for TFL 61 is held by Pacheedaht Andersen Timber Holdings (PATH) and managed by Angus Hope.  … “There are a lot of challenges,” Hope says. From the “glacial pace” of government to the high cost of getting the logs to market, Hope says the status quo just doesn’t make sense anymore.

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Directors are being sought for a northern B.C. First Nations forestry company directive. Dechita Forestry is the industry arm of Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) and has launched an appeal seeking new directors… Its aim is to “advance sustainable forestry opportunities that reflect values and long-term interests” of FNFN. The board of directors will consist of a member of FNFN’s council, a member of the First Nation not affiliated with the council, and a community member of Fort Nelson who is not a FNFN member. Their responsibilities will include  “provid[ing] oversight, governance and strategic direction to ensure the success and accountability” of Dechita Forestry, according to the post. Initially named Fort Nelson Forestry Corporation, the company re-branded to its current name, which translates to forest or bush.

Williams Lake, B.C. – Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), a joint venture company owned by the Tŝideldel First Nation, the Tl’etinqox Government and the Yunesit’in Government, has been implementing large-scale, Indigenous-led forest management programs and initiatives within their communities for nearly a decade. Recently, with funding support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, CCR has expanded its forest rehabilitation work, delivering innovative treatments that are making local forests in the Chilcotin more resilient to climate change and losses from wildfires. A project of note is a fire salvage and ecosystem restoration project called “the Palmer project”, located in the Cariboo Chilcotin in an area heavily impacted by wildfires in 2017. 

DUNCAN, BC — Mosaic Forest Management is launching a multi-year pilot on its private lands in the Koksilah watershed on Vancouver Island to demonstrate how working forests can deliver both economic performance and environmental resilience by integrating watershed services, carbon programs, renewable energy, recreation and real estate activities alongside timber production. This pilot supports the historic government-to-government agreement signed by Cowichan Tribes and the Province in May 2023 to develop BC’s first water sustainability plan in the Koksilah River which has experienced critically low summer flows in recent years.  As part of the planning process, Mosaic sits on the Community Collaborative Advisory Table for the Xwulqw’selu / Koksilah Watershed and Water Sustainability Plan (XWWSP). “This pilot is about figuring out what works by combining sustainable forestry with watershed stewardship and other land solutions,” said Duncan Davies, President and CEO of Mosaic. “We’re committed to building the business model that makes this approach viable and scalable where the right conditions exist.”

It could take anywhere from six months to a year before a coalition of area First Nations can start logging following a timber acquisition deal made with the provincial government in January during a natural resources forum in Prince George. The wood, amounting to 1 million cubic metres, comes from a licence held by Canfor and was timber that the company was not logging itself. Called an ‘undercut’ because it amounts to less than what Canfor could cut, the timber will now be converted into a licence held by a coalition of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, the Witset First Nation, the Lake Babine Nation, and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. When logging does start, the new licence will call for logging of 200,000 cubic metres a year for five years. Through regulations, an undercut can be transferred by the forests ministry from one entity to another.

Megan Hanacek

The College’s 2026 Conference is on April 9-10, 2026 in Victoria, BC… Early-bird pricing is now available. This year’s Keynote Speaker is Megan Hanacek is a professional biologist (RPBio) and forester (RPF), business owner and TV personality. She is the CEO of the non-profit Private Forest Landowners Association and owner of an environmental assessment firm. For over 25 years, she has led project work with the provincial and federal governments, private industry, First Nations, non-governmental organizations and academia throughout British Columbia. Previously, Megan was a planning forester with the Ministry of Forests working on large scale projects including the Great Bear Rainforest to smaller scale management of wildlife values and habitat. She served on the College of Applied Biologists Board (2020-2025) and still stands as one of the longest standing female finalists on the hit HISTORY channel survival shows “ALONE”. The topic of Megan’s keynote will be “Thriving (not just surviving) during uncertain times.”