Region Archives: Canada West

British Columbia’s deputy chief forester has set a new allowable annual cut (AAC) level for the Sunshine Coast Timber Supply Area (TSA). Effective June 6, 2024, the new AAC for the Sunshine Coast TSA is 1,050,000 cubic metres. This is a 12.3% reduction from the previous AAC, while remaining 2% above the average harvest level over the past decade. In light of the old-growth deferral areas in place within the TSA, as well as to ensure sustainable forestry practices, the determination includes two partitions. A maximum of 262,500 cubic metres may be harvested from stands older than 140 years and a maximum of 787,500 cubic metres may be harvested from stands 140 years and younger. The Sunshine Coast TSA comprises approximately 1.7 million hectares on the southwestern coast. The TSA overlaps the territory of 22 First Nations, all of which were consulted during the timber-supply review process, and feedback considered. 

Lawrence Hewitt lives on a heavily forested property on the northern outskirts of the city and like many Prince George residents he’s worried about wildfires. Those are real fears after an unprecedented 2.8 million hectares of B.C. forest burned in 2023 and the lingering hangover of extreme drought conditions that have persisted this spring through much of the northern half of the province. Hewitt caught wind of the new FireSmart BC fire mitigation program the provincial government has introduced to encourage people to take charge of making their own homes less likely to burn and he’s been busy doing exactly that. …Hewitt knows there will be costs incurred by thinning the Pidherny Recreation Site forest to reduce the fire hazard and the risk of a crowning fire that moves from treetop to treetop but it’s worth it if it leaves the city less likely to burn like Fort McMurray did in May 2016.

Aligned with Saskatchewan’s growth plan goal of increasing Indigenous participation in the natural resource industry, the Government of Saskatchewan is investing in the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) to deliver two training initiatives to address workforce needs and grow the Indigenous workforce in the forestry sector. …SIIT delivers programs that reflect current labour market needs of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous communities. The Forestry Log Haul Step Program will support up to 20 individuals in gaining the 980 hours of experience required to become a fully licensed log haul driver. SIIT will assist new drivers in finding employment opportunities and establishing connections with employers in the forestry sector. …In addition to the Log Haul Step Program, this funding will support the purchase of two Simlog Simulators for SIIT’s mobile job connection program, which helps job seekers in First Nation and northern communities gain virtual work-site training, and learn safety-conscious operating habits for heavy equipment. 

The results of a trail survey should give North Cowichan pause for thought on how trails are developed and maintained in the 5,000-hectare Municipal Forest Reserve. The Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society and its volunteers do excellent work, but are primarily focused on mountain bike trails. …But the Six Mountains of North Cowichan are enjoyed by many different trail enthusiasts. To better understand how the trails are used, the society and Tourism Cowichan commissioned Vancouver Island University to conduct a survey late last year. An overview of the survey results presented Friday to the municipality’s economic development committee showed that hikers and walkers combined represent almost 60 percent of trail users in North Cowichan and Cobble Hill compared with mountain bikers at 30 percent. …Given the survey results, council should ensure that future work on the trails better recognizes the forests’ dominant users — hikers and walkers.

In October of 2023, the City of Vancouver began a multi-year process to fell 160,000 trees, almost a third of those in Stanley Park, a Vancouver landmark that draws over eight million visitors annually. Most of the dead trees are western hemlocks that fell prey to the western hemlock looper moth. “They are voracious feeders,” says Dr. Gerhard Gries, a professor of animal communication ecology at Simon Fraser University. Looper moths have periodic population booms. According to Gries, these outbreaks occur in B.C.’s interior every 11 to 15 years and every 20 years on the coast. The outbreak started on the North Shore in 2019 and spread to Stanley Park in 2020, says Joe McLeod, the Vancouver Park Board urban forestry manager. Blackwell & Associates issued a risk assessment report to the City in January 2024, indicating that 24 per cent of Stanley Park is classified as a high and extreme wildfire risk, with an additional 60 per cent classified as moderate risk. [For full access, you may need a subscription to the National Observer]

Stop spending money on the outcome and start spending on prevention. That was one of the messages a keynote panel on living with wildfire delivered to a large crowd at the Kelowna Community Theatre Monday evening. The panel, which included academics and those on the front lines, kicked off a three day symposium on wildfires sponsored by the University of British Columbia and hosted by UBCO. West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund, part of the five-person panel, said governments are spending hundreds of millions of dollars in putting these fires out which is not good for anybody. “We’re not being particularly successful and we’re putting people’s lives and property at risk,” said Brolund.

The rising toll of natural disasters in Canada demands a new approach — so here is an idea. Let’s give Canada’s armed forces a fully supported national mission to lead natural disaster response. This mission would extend …to actually fighting fires on the front line and mitigating natural disasters. The armed forces’ engagement in a situation would be triggered by a severity scale approved in advance by federal and provincial governments. Once an agreed severity level is tripped, the armed forces would engage and take control. The real question going forward would be not if support from the armed forces is needed, but when and where it would be deployed. …The increased risk and prevalence of forest fires is a direct product of the climate crisis. So too is our carbon tax response. …Why can’t some of the carbon tax revenue be allocated to a new firefighting mission for Canada’s armed forces?

VICTORIA — The provincial apiculturist says bee die-offs this spring are due to the prolonged cool weather and have nothing to do with the recent aerial spraying for spongy moths. Paul van Westendorp said adult bees first out of the hive every spring are opportunistic and follow the pollen for the greater good of their hive.  …Social-media reports that the bees were killed by spraying for the spongy moth — formerly called gypsy moths — are unfounded, said van Westendorp. Van Westendorp said the insecticide affects only moth and butterfly caterpillars after ingestion. The active ingredient — bacillus thuringiensis variation kurstaki or BTK — is a natural bacteria found in soils and affects only insects with high-alkaline digestive systems. …Bee die-offs are common in the spring and usually happen because of the weather, said van Westendorp. If flowering is delayed, they stay put. But when they appear, the bees get busy.

On May 30, Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and B.C. Area Director joined Local 10-B President Sheldon Morice and 1st Vice President Wes Mitchell for a tour of the Kruger pulp mill in Kamloops, B.C. McGarrigle and Unifor leaders met with Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, City Councillor Katie Neustaeter, and Kruger management to discuss the mill’s struggles with a regular economic access to fibre. Kruger isn’t alone in its fibre supply troubles. “Kamloops is a key forestry hub in the interior, but its continued success relies on action from the provincial government,” said McGarrigle. Unifor raised the possibility of Kamloops city council adopting a motion of support for forestry jobs and, in turn, submitting the motion to the upcoming meeting of the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). By putting forestry on the agenda of UBCM, a broader discussion can take place to help place even greater pressure on the provincial government to act.

John Stuart Mansell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Stuart Mansell on May 20, 2024. Born October 5, 1938 in England, John came to Canada at age 17 where he enrolled and graduated from UBC with a BSF (Forestry) degree. After graduation he worked in various capacities in coastal logging camps followed by employment as Woods Manager in Radium Hot Springs, Clearwater, and Williams Lake. …Everyone can relate to John’s tales and adventures about grizzly bears and fishing in the Bella Coola Valley, or his menagerie of steers, pigs, chicken, ducks and geese on his acreage. To honor John’s life as a forester and Board director, we are gathering contributions for the Gavin Lake Forest Education Society. Donations may be made to gavinlake.ca (‘donate now’, “John funds”).

Penticton city council has given its approval for a new cell tower on Valleyview Road, with the caveat that it be disguised as a tree to better blend in with the surroundings. The Telus tower is proposed at 18 metres tall, which fits in the size range of less than 30 metres that only requires notification to neighbouring properties. Those taller than 30 metres require a “higher level of public consultation including advertising in local newspapers,” city staff explain in their report. Chad Marlatt with Cypress Land Services says insisting on a tree disguise might slow things down….Council passed the motion to voice their approval for the tree-disguised tower, with Coun. Konanz opposed.

British Columbia’s deputy chief forester has set a new allowable annual cut (AAC) level for the Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA). Effective, June 4, 2024, the new AAC for the Kootenay Lake TSA is 550,000 cubic metres, a 13.4% reduction from the previous AAC. The new level reflects adjustments made to consider available harvest on unstable steep slopes, and to account for a higher level of stand-level reserves to address biodiversity, stream edge and wetland management, domestic watersheds, cultural heritage resources and climate change. The Kootenay-Boundary Region received unanimous support from First Nations to defer harvest of at-risk old-growth forest. Licensees operating in this TSA have agreed to not harvest these areas until a final decision is made regarding old forest management.

Longtime ecologist, Dr. Rachel F. Holt appeared before the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Board in early spring to dispute statements presented to the board in February by two retired foresters. Archie MacDonald and Murray Wilson offered their solutions to wildfires, specifically in terms of reducing their future frequency and intensity. …Holt, an independent ecologist in the Kootenays for the past 30 years, challenged MacDonald’s statement that old forests are unhealthy while less dense forests are the goal. “I was concerned with those ideas presented to you as a good representation of the science,” Holt said, noting old forests are the cornerstone of biodiversity in British Columbia, a province that is unique in North America in terms of its biodiversity values, “The province, over the past 30 years, has recognized the key importance of managing and maintaining appropriate old growth on the landscape.”

BRITISH COLUMBIA – A new grassroots initiative is encouraging British Columbians to be better informed on B.C’.s forest sector and take action through various activities including online letters and informing local governments to raise the importance of forestry to British Columbians. Across the province, small, medium and large forest companies, family-owned enterprises and local businesses have joined forces through ForestryWorksForBC, a new grassroots initiative to address the sectors’ uncertain future and its impact on British Columbians and communities that rely on the revenues from forestry to support critical services like roads, schools, and health care. “Forestry matters in every corner ​of B.C., from hospitals, schools and roads and communities; forest jobs and forest revenues have been the foundation of all that we hold dear in this province,” said Bob Brash, executive director of the Truck Loggers Association. 

BCIT’s School of Construction and Environment is seeking 2 temporary Faculty, Forest and Natural Areas Management. The Forest and Natural Areas Management (FNAM) program trains graduates for employment in a range of fields including industrial forestry, urban forestry, silviculture, arboriculture, GIS, digital field mapping, and natural resources management. Graduates are eligible for registration as Registered Forest Technologists (RFT) in British Columbia and have a number of available pathways to other levels of certification and education. At BCIT, putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount. This idea is the foundation of BCIT’s People Vision, which describes the Institute’s goals and priorities in respect to our people. In a complex and uncertain world, it’s vital our people feel valued, supported and connected. …With a competitive compensation package, great work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities, see why we’ve earned the title of one of BC’s Top Employers for over ten years running. 

Alberta Wildfire says another unattended campfire could have led to devastating circumstances in the Calgary Forest Area this weekend. Officials say on Sunday night, a campfire was left burning near Fisher Creek, west of Millarville, and spread while it was abandoned. A team of four wildland firefighters attended the scene and put it out before it grew too large. Officials say the conditions are ripe for wildfires in the region. “Very little precipitation has been registered in our gauges over the past week leading to a slow climb in wildfire danger. Although the heavier fuels remain moist, fine fuels are drying out and can support fast moving surface fires,” officials said. The wildfire was limited to 0.2 hectares in size. Meanwhile, a wildfire north of Ghost River, detected last week, has been extinguished at 6.06 hectares, the agency said. More than two dozen wildland firefighters and two helicopters were deployed to fight that fire.

Gord Pratt

Kamloops, BC –The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) congratulates Senior Manager Gord Pratt on his retirement after a distinguished career with the organization and within the forestry sector. His departure is a moment of both reflection and celebration, as his contributions have significantly helped to shape FESBC’s successes to date. Pratt dedicated over seven years to carrying out the organization’s purposes to advance forest enhancement activities and to advocate for the environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia’s forests. “I was excited about the possibility of working for a Society that had such strong purposes in its constitution,” shared Pratt. “Being able to continue the work to fund projects that reduce wildfire risk for the people of British Columbia was a big draw for me, as it allowed me to continue the work I started with the Kamloops Fire Centre as the Fuel Management Specialist.”

Several hunters are speaking out against the provincial government’s recent changes to reduce caribou and moose hunting in northern British Columbia. Hunting regulations are reviewed by the provincial government every two years and the move to cut the number of recreational and commercial caribou and moose hunters in B.C.’s northwest were announced on May 10. However, some hunters say it’s not clear why the changes were made. “I really don’t think they’re going to address the issue that they need to address,” said Richard Wale, a recreational hunter in Salmon Arm. But Peter Lee, with the Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Ministry, defended the move. The changes aim to support sustainable hunting now and for the long term, he said. “Regulations for moose and caribou in the Northwest support advancing reconciliation through deeper collaboration, weaving of Indigenous knowledge and science to achieve shared objectives, and working together with hunters and the community,” he said.

Chris Googoo

NOVA SCOTIA — Ninety per cent of the hemlock trees in Nova Scotia could disappear. A Mi’kmaq-led effort is ensuring at least one forest will survive. When Chris Googoo first visited Wapane’kati, the old-growth eastern hemlock forest at Asitu’lɨsk, it was like stepping back in time. …“It’s awe-inspiring,” Googoo, chief operating officer for Ulnooweg, said. The towering trees were a stark contrast to those elsewhere in Nova Scotia, where less than one per cent of the province is covered in old-growth forests. “Along the Trans Canada Highway, with these little trees that have been harvested by the lumber industry over the years, there is no old growth that we see, even near our own communities.” …Previously Asitu’lɨsk was known as Windhorse Farm, which was privately owned by the Drescher family. …In 2021, the Drescher family sold the property at a deep discount to the Mi’kmaq, where it remains under the care of Ulnooweg.

KELOWNA, BC — Wildfires will continue to grow in intensity and destruction if changes are not made to the way we manage our forests. To do that, there will need to be dramatic changes in practices that have gone on for decades and decades. And that will take time. That was one of the many takeaways from a 90-minute panel discussion on the effects of wildfires that kicked off a three-day solutions symposium hosted by UBC and UBC Okanagan.  The panel discussion included UBC professor Dr. Lori Daniels, UBCO professor Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais, Joe Gilchrist from the Salish Fire Keepers Society, Dr. Paul Hessburg with the US Forest Service and West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund. “We need to fight fire with fire,” said Daniels. “Fire has a negative impact but it is also part of the solution. We need to change the way we manage our forest, changes in policy and changes in practice.”

The forest industry in B.C. is in crisis and all levels of government need to take action to protect this vital industry, Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl says. “The decline in the forest sector isn’t just a stat(istic),” Mayor Dahl told city council’s May 23 regular meeting. “It’s a real crisis impacting people and communities. All levels of government need to take action to protect good forestry jobs and ensure a sustainable future for this critical industry.” Dahl was inspired to make the comment after Canfor’s recent news about a sawmill closure and pulp mill curtailment in the Prince George …Coun. Ron Kerr put forward a motion that the city of Campbell River send a letter to the Minister of Forests expressing concern about the provincial government’s recent management and forest practices and the impacts to local communities. And that a letter be forwarded to other communities who are dependent on the forest sector. The motion passed.

Jack, Kishi and Stavness

The NIC board of governors will be adding two new members to its team this summer, replacing two outgoing members. In July, John Jack of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Roger Kishi of Cumberland will officially join the board for a two-year term. …Kishi and Jack follow Corinne Stavness of Comox, who also joined the board in December. The three bring a wide range of experience to the board. …Stavness is the vice-president of corporate affairs at Western Forest Products. Previously, she was the director of prevention services and communication for the Ending Violence Association of BC. She holds a bachelor of science in forestry from the University of British Columbia and a master of science in economics from the University of Helsinki.

Some people may think it was a miracle that the Interfor sawmill at Adams Lake survived the firestorm on August 18, 2023. In reality, the mill is operational today because of foresight, much hard work and many thousands of gallons of water. The effort to protect the mill began in 2017 when a lightning strike ignited a fire on the hillside above the mill, which an Interfor team managed to extinguish with shovels, “piss” cans, pumps and hoses that had to be dragged by hand to the fire. After the 2017 fire, the forestry staff realized how vulnerable the mill was and they began to plan how best to create fire breaks that could protect them during the next fire. Through a carefully thought-out combination of small clearcuts, thinning and the opening of old roads, the fuel was significantly reduced on the hillside forest above the mill. 

In the Line of Fire, a series that digs into what is being done to prepare for — and survive — wildfires. Bringing back ancient Indigenous fire practices helps restore cultural connections, heal the land and strengthen communities. On Gitanyow lands, restorative fire brings people together and mitigates increasingly intense and widespread wildfires driven by climate change. …Setting fires to fight fires may seem counterintuitive as wildfires across Canada increase in size and intensity, but the method is backed by decades of research and on-the-ground trials — and thousands of years of Indigenous science. In B.C., the government’s wildfire department is teaming up with First Nations to support cultural burns and other ways of using fire for the common good. Planned burns like the one on Gitanyow lands present a different way to think about fire and an opportunity to help meet the climate emergency head-on by mitigating the impacts of wildfires and restoring balance in forest ecosystems.

A corner of northeast British Columbia representing nearly a fifth of the province has reached high to extreme drought levels, a water shortage so dire it ranks among the worst drought conditions in Canada. Dave Campbell, head of the B.C. River Forecast Centre, said the latest drought data shows a wide swath of land in the Peace and Fort Nelson districts are facing multi-year drought conditions. In Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, the region’s rivers have experienced nearly two years of record low flows — conditions that impact both local people and wildlife. …B.C.’s northeast has been a major hot spot for wildfires over the past 18 months. About 160 kilometres to the north, holdover fires from the 2023 Donnie Creek wildfire — the largest the province has ever recorded — continue to burn, according to the BC Wildfire Service. This year, wildfires have already prompted the evacuation of nearly 5,000 people across the province’s northeast.

The Province and Blueberry River First Nations are moving forward with implementation of the Gundy High Value 1 Plan, consistent with the Blueberry Implementation Agreement, to protect Treaty Rights, support restoration and land protection measures, and create more certainty for everyone in northeastern B.C. who relies on resource industry jobs to support their lives and families. …The Gundy plan will establish and implement actions to support the restoration and ongoing practice of Blueberry’s Treaty Rights and essential elements of their way of life like hunting, fishing, trapping and sacred site preservation, while enabling limited petroleum and natural gas (PNG) development under new rules and conditions. The plan provides clearer direction to petroleum and natural gas tenure holders about where they can undertake development causing new disturbance, and where there are protections.