Landslide activity could become more common in areas west of Summerland due to the damage from the summer’s Bald Range Wildfire. On Wednesday, residents reported a small debris flow in the Garnett and Meadow valleys amid heavy rainfall. The areas where the slides are occurring are in the burn zone of August’s Bald Range wildfire, which scorched more than 25,000 hectares of forest. Eleven watersheds were affected, which saw burn impacts to the catchment areas ranging from nine to 70 per cent, according to a preliminary post-fire hazard assessment completed for the Ministry of Forests. …The report noted that in its assessments, the events are not certain to happen, but adverse weather such as heavy rain, rapid snowmelt, or rain-on-snow could trigger them, and detailed site-specific assessments are still required.

On Sept. 21, the day before David Eby called a snap election, his government quietly extended logging deferrals in the old-growth Fairy Creek watershed on southwest Vancouver Island. The government granted the deferrals five years ago, at the request of Pacheedaht First Nation, after more than 1,000 people were arrested during logging blockades at Fairy Creek that lasted for more than a year. But following the election of the Conservative Party of BC, the future of Fairy Creek … is up in the air, prompting scientists and conservation advocates to caution that B.C.’s “war in the woods” could reignite. On Saturday, during a rousing acceptance speech, premier-designate Lorne Doerkson promised “more fibre on trucks” as part of his party’s plan to supercharge B.C.’s economy. …Forester Garry Merkel, a member of the old-growth strategic review panel said he was encouraged to see the Conservatives promise to protect old growth and rare and endangered ecosystems.

In 1986, I had an opportunity to acquire 160 acres of wooded farm property: 40 acres of open farmland and 120 acres of mostly hardwood, a mix of birch, ash, and trembling aspen. …At the time I bought my first woodlot, I recall co-workers asking me why I bought ‘bushland’ instead of putting the money in the bank. At the time ‘bushland’ was synonymous to ‘wasteland’, something meant to be bulldozed, burned, and turned into farmland. I told my co-workers that I would rather have “money in the bark, rather than money in the bank”. Today, in 2026, after 40 years of ownership, land prices have surged tenfold. …I was 32 years old when I bought my first woodlot, and 42 when I bought my second. Now at age 72, I feel blessed that I can still cut firewood with my trusty chainsaw, hunt white-tailed deer in cold weather, and hike the trails that took decades to create. 

Rachel Plotkin

…Whether it’s whales, caribou, or butterflies, migration is an amazing feat of nature: that species are able to retain the knowledge of how and when to move to fulfill their variant life processes. The increasingly sophisticated technology of radio telemetry has enabled scientists to learn more about the migration of southern mountain caribou populations in Alberta, which migrate from mountains to forested valleys and back, up to twice each year. Or at least they used to, until Alberta approved logging in so much of the forested valleys that their migration has been significantly altered, or ceased altogether. …What happens when caribou are forced to cease their migration patterns and remain on the mountains? Not surprisingly, their populations decline. …Alberta’s decisions, made for short-term gains, erase a natural phenomenon that has existed for thousands of years. …The province needs to hear from the public that prosperity includes natural abundance alongside corporate profits.

The BC Next Generation Forestry Conference is looking for potential funders to fund their province-wide conference for students and young professionals working with forests! This conference is an essential part of equipping students and early-career professionals to navigate the changing realities of the world beyond academia. It aims to inspire the next generation of foresters and land stewards and will be important for them in building the relationships that last for the rest of their careers. They are looking for sponsorship and donations to make the conference accessible to everyone. Any amount is appreciated and other forms of support are welcome (eg. connections, supplies). Reach out to us at bcnextgenfc@gmail.com to start a conversation! Click here to view/download our sponsorship overview.