Sara Zieleman

A statement clarifying wildfire risk reduction related to cutblock TU-5 (adjacent to Sechelt’s aerodrome/airport), was issued by Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF) Nov. 12. Executive director Sara Zieleman commented that this was to correct “significant misinformation” said to be circulating in the community. “Approximately half of the {TU-5} area which will be treated for wildfire risk in the community forest will have no or marginal tree removal, based on planning to date… the plan does call for removal of a large portion of the dense conifers … to allow for native deciduous species to fill in over time, as well as understory plants. The stand is being converted to one that is more fire resilient, more biodiverse, and will again be full of trees of a different kind” it’s press release reads. …The SCCF press release also countered two statements made in a Nov. 11 email newsletter circulated by forest protection group Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF).