Kamloops, B.C.: From the Province’s $1.5 billion StrongerBC For Everyone: B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) received $3 million and funded 14 forestry projects throughout the province to increase the utilization of wood fibre creating many positive benefits.
“Projects funded by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC address a number of environmental, social, and economic priorities of British Columbians,” said Jim Snetsinger, RPF, FESBC board chair. “Forest enhancement projects achieve social, environmental, and economic aspirations of British Columbians. Investing in forests reduces our carbon footprint, reduces wildfire risks, enhances wildlife habitat, and creates jobs. It’s a win-win-win on all fronts.”
The $3 million in funding helped to sustain approximately 100 forestry jobs this past winter to utilize wood fibre that is normally left behind after logging and burned in slash piles.
“Upon receiving word of the allocation, our team moved quickly to prepare and announce its seventh intake for funding applications,” said Snetsinger. “We were delighted with the quality and innovation shown in the proposals. It demonstrates the significant role the forestry sector plays in our province’s broader economic recovery, while at the same time helping to achieve B.C.’s and Canada’s climate change targets.”
In total, FESBC approved funding for 14 projects which have just been completed as of March 31, 2021.
| Location | Project Partner | FESBC-Funding* |
| Boston Bar | Interwest Timber Ltd | $13,000 |
| Chetwynd | Duz Cho Logging Ltd. | $300,000 |
| Clinton | Arrow Transportation Systems Inc | $720,748 |
| Fraser Lake | The Corporation of the Village of Fraser Lake | $100,818 |
| Hazelton | NorthPac Forestry Group Ltd. | $279,749 |
| Masset | Husby Forest Products | $61,750 |
| Mackenzie | East Fraser Fiber | $294,000 |
| Merritt | Valley Carriers Ltd. | $416,029 |
| Nazko | Cariboo Pulp & Paper | $134,897 |
| Princeton | Westwood Fibre Resources Ltd. | $6,000 |
| Smithers | Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. | $133,745 |
| Terrace | Westland Resources Limited | $256,561 |
| Williams Lake | Atlantic Power (Williams Lake) Ltd. | $199,603 |
| Williams Lake | Elhdaqox Developments Ltd. | $83,100 |
The 14 projects sustained an estimated 100 forestry jobs to utilize about 233,000 cubic metres of wood fibre (approximately 4,600 truckloads) this past winter and the projects are estimated to help avoid 65,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to taking 13,000 cars off the road for a year.
“Our Accomplishments Update report highlights these projects and the good work happening in B.C. forests,” said Steve Kozuki, RPF, FESBC executive director. “Our report also features the people behind the projects. It is our opportunity to broadly share with British Columbians the good work not often seen or understood by non-foresters. As we like to say, in B.C. climate change heroes can often be found in the forest wearing hard hats.”
Read the full FESBC Accomplishments Update
For more information or to arrange an interview with FESBC:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison | communications@fesbc.ca | 250.574.0221
