Category Archives: Forestry

Diego Corry and Domenico Iannidinardo

VANCOUVER, BC—Canadian Forest Owners have awarded the University of British Columbia Master of Forestry’s student Diego Corry the Christopher Lee Memorial Scholarship, based on his MSc thesis which addresses how forest companies and landowners respond to the growing amount of environmental activism that occurs through social media. “This research stands to yield actionable insights for forest industry professionals and marks an original contribution to the academic literatures on corporate social responsibility, environmental governance, and social movements,” emphasizes Dr. Hamish van der Ven, Assistant Professor, Sustainable Business Management of Natural Resources, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia. CFO is interested in Corry’s research which could help determine how expectations for responsible business conduct expressed through platforms like Facebook and Twitter effect the policies and practices of organizations in the Canadian forest sector.

Forestry students at North Island College are learning the ropes in the classroom and out in the field. Two new Coastal Forestry programs at North Island College have been teaching students how to put down roots in the forest industry, giving them entry-level skills for a wide range of positions within the forestry sector. …“Where they would have spent five to six days in the field, now that work is done in the office,” said Coleen MacLean-Marlow, the program coordinator. The college offers both a one-year certificate program and a two-year diploma program, which were developed in collaboration with the BC Forest Safety Council. Teachers in the program are professional foresters themselves. …Although the certificate program officially launched in 2020, it was piloted in 2019 out of Port Alberni with Huu-ay-aht First Nations [and] Western Forest Products had been a part of the program advisory team.

Drought and water scarcity continues to affect the west coast, south coast and northeastern areas of B.C. that have experienced little to no rainfall over the past five weeks with continued dry weather in the forecast. Areas under Drought Level 4 include the Fort Nelson basin, the Sunshine Coast basin, Lower Mainland basin, and the east and west Vancouver Island basins. At Drought Level 4, conditions are extremely dry and adverse effects to socio-economic or ecosystem values are likely. Drought is a recurring feature of climate that involves reduced precipitation, such as rain, during an extended period, resulting in a water shortage. …If conservation measures do not achieve sufficient results and drought conditions worsen, temporary protection orders under the Water Sustainability Act may be issued to water licensees to avoid significant or irreversible harm to aquatic ecosystems. Provincial staff are monitoring the situation and working to balance water use with environmental flow needs.

A pilot project to set up public access to privately-managed forest lands in the Alberni Valley has been going well, says Mosaic Forest Management. Representatives from Mosaic provided an update on their work in the area. Colin Koszman said the company has been working with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the Ministry of Forests and other groups to open up public opportunities for access within private-managed forest lands. A pilot project was started in 2021 on Ash Main to allow increased public access on a trial basis. Koszman says the goal is to open the road “basically 24/7” so the public can access these areas. …Details are still being worked out with the province …but in the meantime, a kiosk has been installed at the start of the line to communicate to the public that they need to yield to industrial traffic.

Every couple of years or so, FESBC publicly reports on our progress. The recent FESBC 2022 Accomplishments Report was an opportunity to take stock of the achievements and what we’ve learned since 2016. We have: reduced greenhouse gases equivalent to taking 1.1 million cars off the road for a year; reduced wildfire risk in over 120 communities; improved significant amounts of wildlife habitat; accelerated the growth of the bioeconomy in B.C.; increased Indigenous participation in the forest economy; and created over 2,100 full-time-equivalent jobs. We learned that forests are part of the solution for creating a great many social, economic and environmental benefits for British Columbians. The key to FESBC success is the enabling of local people to take action in their local forests, which then leads to powerful and long-lasting transformations with a multitude of multi-faceted benefits. .

Today is the final day for Early Bird Tickets! Visit our website to register. We are pleased to announce that the Minister of Forests, Katrine Conroy, will join us to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the BCCFA at the annual banquet on October 20th. Tickets for the banquet are included in the full ticket price and can also be purchased separately. Minister Conroy will also present the 2022 Robin Hood Memorial Award to a deserving community forest. The conference program has been updated with a new opportunity for a tour of the Downie Mill in Revelstoke. There is no fee for the pre conference field trips. Please note that the Continuing Professional Development workshop is not included in full ticket price, but must be purchased separately. We encourage all professionals and interested lay people to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Read more about it in the conference program.

Weyerhaeuser will be able to grow and harvest timber in the Grande Prairie area for another 20 years. The Alberta government confirmed Thursday it has renewed its forest management agreement, along with one for the Pembina Timberlands near Drayton Valley. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Nate Horner says, combined, these agreements are expected to maintain more than 1,250 full-time, contract, and seasonal positions. They will reportedly potentially contribute $12.2 million and $14.7 million in annual holding and protection charge payments, $313 million and $277 million in timber dues, and $3.2 billion and $3.5 billion to Alberta’s gross domestic product.

Representatives of Gitanyow First Nation, including Hereditary Chiefs, and the B.C. government are celebrating 10 years of a landmark land-use plan that has reduced land-based conflicts and guided sustainable development in Gitanyow’s territory. In 2012, under the Gitanyow Huwilp Recognition and Reconciliation Agreement, Gitanyow and the Province agreed to the Gitanyow Lax’yip Land Use Plan, which lays out the Nation’s vision for lands in their territory, including appropriate uses. The visionary plan led to a collaborative process between Gitanyow, neighbouring Nations, B.C. and stakeholders that put the plan into effect through the landscape-level Nass South and the Cranberry Sustainable Resource Management Plans. …“Skeena Sawmills endorsed the Gitanyow Lax’yip Land Use Plan in 2012, and it guides our forest management activities in Gitanyow Territory, including forest planning, road construction, timber harvesting and silviculture in Gitanyow Territory,” said Greg DeMille, vice-president of operations for Skeena Sawmills Ltd. and Skeena Bionergy. 

The Government of Alberta has renewed the forest management agreement (FMA) jointly held by Tolko Industries Ltd., Norbord Inc. and La Crete Sawmills Ltd. for the next 20 years in exchange for important stewardship responsibilities. This agreement establishes the companies’ right to grow and harvest Crown timber from a forest management unit in the northwestern corner of the province, surrounding High Level. Over its lifespan, this FMA is expected to maintain more than 1,700 full-time, contract and seasonal positions and will potentially contribute: $48.7 million in holding and protection charge payments, $433 million in timber dues payments, and $6.1 billion to Alberta’s gross domestic product. “The decision to renew this joint FMA helps maintain hundreds of good jobs for Albertans, provides our forest sector with sure footing for their long-term investments and ensures sustainable management practices for Alberta’s forests,” and Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.

NANAIMO, BC — Environmentalists on Vancouver Island are celebrating a sizable land donation aimed at protecting a critical watershed near Nanaimo, BC. Chilliwack-based construction company the Emil Anderson Group donated 71 acres of ecologically sensitive land along the Englishman River Monday to the Nature Trust of B.C., a non-profit conservation group. “The Englishman river is the most important salmon spawning stream in the mid-Vancouver Island region,” Nature Trust of B.C. CEO Jasper Lament said. Lament described the donation as a “transformational gift” to conservation, explaining that the land is in the Coastal Douglas Fir bio-geoclimatic zone, an at-risk ecological area of conservation concern. Along with a multitude of wildlife species, the area is home to a number of keystone tree species including many individual trees over 100 years old.

The Chetamon Mountain wildfire in Jasper National Park will continue to burn in a controlled manner to help revitalize ecological growth, Parks Canada says. Fire management officials examined the area last weekend, particularly the western region of the fire. They determined the fire would be left to spread along the western perimeter into the Chetamon Mountain basin, Vine Creek valley, Corral Creek valley and Snake-Indian River valley. “Natural features within these valleys, such as rocky ridges, water, and low-lying moist areas will help to contain the spread within the western flank,” Parks Canada said. The fire, burning well north of Jasper, Alta., ignited after lightning struck on Sept. 1. It grew to about 6,000 hectares before fire crews were able to hold it earlier this month. Parks Canada officials have previously said they would allow the fire to continue to burn in a controlled manner, because it can promote ecological growth.

Robert Merasty (centre)

The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) is a recipient of the Forest Products Association of Canada’s (FPAC) Partnership Award. “What it means to the IRN is recognition (that) we’re on the right track and we’re doing the good work that we set out to do,” said Robert Merasty, who was appointed as executive director of IRN last February. “It solidifies our mandate and really just encourages us to do more…It encourages us to do more important work in sector development.” Work undertaken by IRN included standing with FPAC against New York and California as they “were attacking our Canadian boreal forest products,” said Merasty. …“The Indigenous voice actually was very beneficial to FPAC in having those bills struck down,” said Merasty. “It tells us we do have a role and the Indigenous voice matters in working with our industry partners and protecting our industry partners and looking at encouraging partnerships.”

NAKUSP, B.C. – It is becoming more and more evident with every passing project that not only can a wildfire risk reduction project bring peace of mind to a community, but also has the potential for many additional benefits ranging from improving wildlife habitat to the generation of local employment. The Nakusp and Area Community Forest’s wildfire risk reduction work, funded through a grant of $417,585 from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, is an example of this. The goal of the project was to improve public safety and reduce the risk of catastrophic loss of infrastructure due to any future wildfires in areas with high to moderate wildfire risk, as identified in the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s (RDCK) Area ‘K’ and Nakusp 2018 Community Wildfire Protection Plans. 

Terrace, B.C. – ‘Na Aksa Gyilak’yoo School received a boost to its educational initiatives with a $2000 contribution from the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC), Skeena Bioenergy and the Prince Rupert Port Authority. The contribution recognizes the power of partnerships that exists between the Kitsumkalum Economic Development Group of Companies, Skeena Bioenergy and the Port of Prince Rupert. “The Kitsumkalum Peoples are a major part of the success of the entire wood pellet sector,” said Gordon Murray, Executive Director, Wood Pellet Association of Canada. “By supporting the education goals of the community members, we are supporting everyone’s success.” …The ‘Na Aksa Gyilak’yoo School provides a holistic education program that enables students to reach their academic, cultural, and personal potential within a challenging, nurturing and caring environment. It supports all learners from a variety of communities and diverse cultures.

More projects for adapting to climate change have been announced by the province. The BC Community Forest Association is co-ordinating with Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction (CLWRR) for four projects in the West Kootenay, part of the ongoing work to increase wildfire resiliency for communities and critical infrastructure. The projects, managed by local communities and First Nations, involve community forests as key partners in the work to reduce wildfire risks across the province, said Katrine Conroy, Kootenay West MLA. …Three weeks ago it was announced that $1 million was to be injected into the local economy through a provincial program aimed at reducing wildfire risk in the communities around Nelson. The province funded five West Kootenay projects to not only reduce wildfire risk but also to enhance wildlife habitat, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from slash pile burning and foster the development of forest recreation and ecological resiliency.