Towering trunks and thick canopies will be the focus of a new community initiative starting May 10, as Kitimat-area residents are invited to join volunteer-led hikes to explore and record some of the oldest trees in the Kitimat River valley. The Big Tree Quest begins with two guided hikes on May 10 and May 31… These free public events aim to teach simple techniques for measuring tree height, circumference and canopy — skills that allow participants to contribute entries to the UBC Big Tree Registry. …The UBC Big Tree Registry is a province-wide initiative to identify, document, monitor and protect the largest known trees of each species in British Columbia, while engaging the public in conservation efforts. Originally established in 1986 by the B.C. Forestry Association … the registry has changed hands several times before finding a permanent home in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in 2010.