The Mission Municipal Forest has logged its best year yet. In 2023, the City of Mission’s forestry department reached a record-breaking $7.5 million in net profit from timber sales. Forestry director Chris Gruenwald presented a quarterly report to council on March 4 that also recapped 2023 as a whole. The funds will be transferred to the Forest Legacy Reserve, which can be used by council to invest in future capital projects. Previous forestry profits have resulted in contributions towards the Boswyck Seniors Centre, a portable mill at Mission Secondary School and a CT Scanner for Mission Memorial Hospital. “While forestry returns fluctuate year over year, our forest has proven a consistent source of revenue for the City over the last 66 years,” Mission Mayor Paul Horn said. “Our forebears demonstrated remarkable foresight when they acquired the Tree Farm Licence so our council’s aim will be to invest those resources in a way that similarly serves our future.”