Category Archives: Forestry

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.