Region Archives: Canada West

The Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the Interim Manager of the Alex Fraser Research Forest in Williams Lake, BC. This role offers a unique opportunity to manage a multi-faceted research and education facility while working in a vibrant community at the heart of British Columbia’s forestry sector. The Interim Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the research forest, overseeing its operations, and financial health. This includes leading a team of professionals, and managing crown land tenures. The role requires a strong combination of leadership, business acumen, and a passion for forestry education and research.

The Okanagan is increasingly threatened by wildfires due to rising temperatures and drier conditions caused by climate change. To address this growing crisis, the B.C. government has outlined a climate action strategy with several measures that, if tailored to the Okanagan, could effectively mitigate wildfire risks and enhance regional resilience. …The government’s pledge to conserve 30% of B.C.’s lands by 2030 can support wildfire management in regions like the Okanagan, which hosts diverse ecosystems that can serve as natural firebreaks. …Sustainable forestry practices along transportation routes and near communities could help create additional fire barriers. Expanded firefighting resources, such as water reservoirs and aerial capabilities, would improve the region’s response capacity. Protecting watersheds and old-growth forests in the Okanagan is essential, as these ecosystems can act as natural barriers that slow wildfire spread. …Facing heightened wildfire threats due to climate change, the Okanagan has an opportunity to lead with a coordinated, community-driven approach to resilience.

A partnership between the Village of McBride and the Community Forest would return the organization into the tax exempt category, allowing more funds to remain in the community according to Michael Martineau with KPMG, a global organization of independent services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. At the last McBride Village Council meeting on October 22nd, Martineau with KPMG made a presentation regarding a proposed limited partnership between the Village and the McBride Community Forest Corporation. Martineau explained that in August 2022 the federal income tax act changed and the exemption that the village previously relied on no longer exists. The old agreement with the government stated that income from revenue generated from within the boundary of the municipality was exempt. Under the new rules, because the timber is not being sold to the province of British Columbia, that exemption no longer applies. 

Jeff McWilliams

A new aerial forest fertilization project in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) aims to sequester carbon dioxide in forests and improve timber volumes for harvesting. From now through November, helicopters will drop urea, a nitrogen fertilizer similar to what goes on lawns, on forests near Lillooet, Pemberton and Squamish, and signage will be placed on roads to inform the public of safety hazards or delays, according to a notice posted by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. The plans have been approved by local First Nations, the Ministry of Forests and forest licensees. The project is funded through the province’s Forest Investment Program and administered by B.A. Blackwell & Associates. Jeff McWilliams, a senior associate with B.A. Blackwell, said programs like this have occurred in the Sea to Sky since the early 2000s. …McWilliams explained fertilizer is trucked to designated areas and loaded onto a helicopter that spreads it similarly to a lawn fertilizer.

Additional coverage in the Squamish Reporter: SLRD notice for ‘Aerial Forest Fertilization’ in the Sea to Sky

Thursday marks the end of Alberta’s 2024 wildfire season, although nearly 30 total wildfires — all under control — are burning throughout the province. Alberta Wildfire reported more fires this year compared to the historic 2023 season, but a fraction of area burned, according to a news release the provincial government issued Wednesday. This season highlighted the significant role early preparation plays, and spending on people, resources and technology “proved invaluable,” said Trevor Lamabe, executive director of the government’s wildfire management branch, in the news release. Firefighters responded to more than 1,210 wildfires this year, burning more than 705,000 hectares, according to the Alberta Wildfire status dashboard. The Alberta government declared an early start to the 2024 wildfire season on Feb. 20, as firefighters were still working on 64 zombie fires that carried over from the year before. At the time, the government implemented a fire ban and permit system to prevent further human-caused wildfires.

Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band) hosted a three-day Community to Community forum focused on Wildfire Risk Reduction from October 23-25. Albert L. Gerow, natural resources advisor for Ts’il Kaz Koh, reported that over 33 organizations participated, including representatives from the Village of Burns Lake, the Regional District Bulkley Nechako, the Ministry of Forests, various levels of government, local industries, and organizations such as Burns Lake RCMP, Burns Lake Search & Rescue, the College of New Caledonia, and Indigenous groups like the First Nations Forestry Council. The forum aimed to share wildfire risk reduction plans, fostering collaborative discussions on strategies and best practices. Participants also engaged in a fire smart workshop to educate on applying Fire Smart practices in their communities. Additionally, they identified high-risk community buildings and discussed targeted mitigation measures to protect these structures.

In a major step forward for wildlife conservation, over 1,800 hectares of critical habitat for iconic species such as Grizzly Bears, Moose, and Woodland Caribou in Northern British Columbia have been protected forever… The project strategically expands existing conservation areas, preserving pristine wilderness, maintaining vital wildlife corridors, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A balanced approach ensures that as Northern BC grows, it does so in harmony with its rich natural heritage, benefiting both wildlife and local communities… BC Parks Foundation is currently working on the management plans for these properties, and they are not open to the public.

JASPER, AB – Hundreds of Jasper homeowners are navigating the choices for rebuilding their homes after the Jasper Wildfire ignited structures in the town of Jasper in July 2024. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting residents as they rebuild, working side-by-side with the Municipality of Jasper. …Parks Canada released updates to local land use policy in the town of Jasper. The changes simplify the process of rebuilding for anyone who lost structures within the townsite. This builds on the momentum of Bill C-76, passed unanimously in Parliament to enable the transfer of some development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper. …The land use policy changes focus on rebuilding with wildfire in mind, increasing housing options, climate resilience and sustainability. Individual changes are increasing community resilience to wildfire by requiring the use of non-combustible materials on the exterior of new buildings being rebuilt, and that the 1.5 m area around them are non-combustible. 

Kelowna city councillors couldn’t wait to offer their glowing endorsement of the new vision for redevelopment of the former Tolko sawmill site in the city’s north end. This is in contrast to the previous plan which was harshly criticized by Coun. Loyal Wooldridge as being “underwhelming.” He was highly critical of what he called a lack of public open space, saying much of what was presented was a “legislative requirement for riparian areas.”… Mark Marshall, representing Holar Development said the site will feature its own sense of “character and place.” …“At the main entrance off of Ellis we propose to retain some of the original weight station that is there today, gates and heritage items, all structures that make reference to the industrial history of the site.”

Cam Brewer, Herb Hammond, & Sean Markey

Cam Brewer says humans mistakenly believe cities exist independent of nature. “The idea that we’re separate from nature underpins many of the mistakes we’ve made that have led to ecological catastrophes and human isolation and inequality and problems with cities,” says Brewer, an environmental law professor at Simon Fraser University. “This idea that nature is out there, separate from where we are, was never true and isn’t true.” Brewer is a co-author, along with Slocan Valley forest ecologist Herb Hammond and SFU professor of environmental management Sean Markey, of a new book, Nature-First Cities. The book explores how cities have become ecological wastelands, and it outlines the psychological costs of living with minimal access to natural spaces. It offers strategies for the redesign of urban spaces in ways that integrate nature, proposing solutions beyond traditional greening efforts. 

Elora Van Jarrett is no stranger to wildfires. Having grown up in BC, she’s been around them her whole life. But unlike many of us who were raised in the province, Van Jarrett doesn’t just read or hear about forest fires — she’s on the frontlines fighting them. The UBC forest resource management alum has spent summers with the BC Wildfire Service in helicopters, on intensive hiking expeditions and at the frontlines of the province’s wildfires. In Van Jarrett’s 15-year career with the service, she has worked in almost every role — from battling wildfires with a crew of 20 people to taking to the sky as part of the Rapattack team, an initial attack crew trained in rappelling from helicopters into hard-to-access, fire-ridden areas.

A 31.5-hectare forested area on Gabriola Island known to locals as Wilkinson Woods has been bought by the Regional District of Nanaimo and added to an adjacent park. The purchase brings the amount of land added to 707 Community Park since 2018 to just over 171 hectares — making the total size 460.3 hectares. 707 Community Park is the regional district’s second-largest park. …“Gabriola’s undisturbed ecosystems are quickly disappearing and becoming increasingly fragmented,”said Hugh Skinner, president of Gabriola Land & Trails Trust, who noted that only 12 per cent of Gabriola is currently protected. The additional parkland will help Gabriola get closer to the Islands Trust average of 20 per cent protected land, he said. …Funding for the purchase came through short-term borrowing of $750,000 by the RDN’s Electoral Area B Community Parks and Halls Service and a $100,000 contribution from the Gabriola Lands & Trails Trust. The owner also reduced the price by $483,000 based on the overall market value.

Melanie Murray and Howard Breen

NANAIMO — A pair of environmental protestors charged in relation to multiple disrupting incidents will serve their sentences in the community. Howard Gerald Breen, 70, and Melanie Joy Murray, 48, were sentenced on multiple charges related protests in Nanaimo in 2021 and 2022. Justice Ronald Lamperson said their sentences must make it clear these kinds of acts are not lawful. “The need for a sentence to achieve denunciation and general deterrence is heightened when there is an identifiable peer group who are acutely aware of the offence and the court proceedings. The Crown says that is clearly the case here.” A joint submission for Murray gave her 12 months probation and 50 hours of community service. Breen, facing six mischief and a pair of breach of undertaking charges, will serve a nine-month Conditional Sentence Order followed by 18 months of probation for the mischief charges, with 12 days of time served credited for the breaches of the undertaking.

Members of Parliament along with industry forestry experts and Indigenous land stewards criticized present and past governments for not doing enough to prevent the wildfires that destroyed 30 per cent of Jasper in July.  Witness testimony during a parliamentary hearing Wednesday noted outrage over the lack of integration of Indigenous stewardship practices.  Meetings started in late September to examine the reasons why the Jasper wildfire started this summer. Thousands were forced to evacuate the area and more than 32,500 hectares of land was burned. “The intensity and prevalence of fires like these are exacerbated by climate change,” said Dane de Souza, a Métis Nation wildfire researcher and firefighter. “However, their cause is directly tied to the colonial suppression of Indigenous fire stewardship and fire on the land,” he said. De Souza said that Indigenous fire stewardship is a landscape-based science that is the culmination of 20,000 years of knowledge and practice. 

James Steidle

Regardless of whether the BC Conservatives or BC NDP come out on top in the recounts, the BC Greens will hold the balance of power. Here’s the northern BC agenda from a Green perspective they should demand in any coalition. Get plantation thinning going: The former BC NDP government was holding back on approving plantation thinning permits. Get small value-added forestry going: Every home in Prince George should have local birch hardwood flooring but you can’t even buy it. Ban forestry herbicide spraying: …only the Green Party said ban all herbicides. Get meaningful Indigenous reconciliation going: Lots of work to do but a big one is funding a northern Indigenous Art, Culture and Technology centre in Prince George. Legalize grizzly bear hunting: For too long urban progressives have alienated rural folks to keep their urban base happy with political decisions like blanket bans on the grizzly bear hunting.