Community Forests: Rooted in Community, Growing for Generations

By Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director
The BC Community Forest Association
August 1, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

…The pressure to balance local benefits and profitability is something community forests must continuously navigate. A recent news article raised valid questions about the future of small, value-added mills in B.C. and their relationship with community forests. The BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) welcomes this attention and agrees that where logs go — and who benefits — matters deeply. But we also believe it’s important to reflect the full picture. …In a news story about logs leaving Valemount — and other similar concerns across the province — the issue should not be framed as a ‘failure’ of the community forest model. Rather, these scenarios reflect the pressure these communities are under and emphasize the need for stronger collaboration between mill operators, tenure holders, and government partners. [We] take a multifaceted approach to stewardship, managing forests for the benefit of people, place, and long-term resilience.

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