We have developed this monthly newsletter to curate the good news stories we share throughout the province featuring FESBC-funded projects which are generating excellent economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Stories are shared in collaboration with our project partners to highlight the exceptional work happening in our forests to reduce wildfire risk, enhance wildlife habitat, take action on climate change, and more.
Faces of Forestry is an initiative of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) to highlight people doing great work to enhance our forests throughout British Columbia. In this month’s Faces of Forestry, we are featuring a Face of FESBC to highlight one of the exceptional individuals on our Board of Directors who helps guide our organization toward impactful change.
This month, we feature Mike P. Kelly, one of FESBC’s Board Directors, a representative of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs for the BC First Nations Forestry Council (BCFNFC), and a member and former councillor of Leq’a:mel First Nation.
Coming from a family of loggers, forestry was an integral part of Mike’s life from an early age.
“My dad was a logger all his life. We grew up accustomed to that life and we did not know any different,” he shared. “My grandfather on my mom’s side was also a logger. He wrote a book called ‘Chiefly Indian’ in 1972 about his logging practices, which has since been translated into several languages, including Chinese. He left a legacy, and I am very proud to be his grandson.”
Mike began his career working with the Provincial Government in the BC Ministry of Highways. Upon retiring from the Ministry, his expertise in road construction eventually led him to a role as a machine operator in public works at the University Endowment Lands at the University of British Columbia.
A few years later, in 2013, Mike was elected as a Director with BCFNC and later appointed to the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS). In addition, Mike contributes to the Indian Residential School Society of BC, participating in activities like cultural brushing (selective removal of excess vegetation and tree species that are not well-suited to the region to promote biodiversity, improve forest health, and ensure that the remaining vegetation supports the specific objectives for wildlife enhancement), and gathering.
“These experiences have broadened my perspective and equipped me with valuable life skills,” he explained. “Serving on different Boards also helped me learn how they function and operate, preparing me for this role with FESBC.”
His introduction to FESBC came through BCFNFC, which encouraged him to join the Board around two years ago.
“With my background and experience, I walked into it in a good way, and everyone welcomed me with open arms,” he shared.
Mike greatly values FESBC’s commitment to promoting and funding projects that advance forest management and achieve a number of objectives, from fibre utilization to wildlife habitat enhancement.
“I’m very impressed with what’s going on today and the projects FESBC is undertaking, especially with respect to wildfires. We recently visited the pulp mill in Kamloops, where they are using burnt logs salvaged from some of the big wildfires in the region, which no other pulp mill has ever done before. It is truly encouraging to see such innovative approaches,” he said.
Mike is particularly proud of FESBC’s progress in collaborating with Indigenous communities and gaining recognition at the provincial level.
“FESBC is aligning with many First Nations in British Columbia,” he noted. “I am honoured to serve as a First Nations representative on the Board and bring a unique perspective to our discussions.”
Last December, Mike had the opportunity to travel to Japan as part of BCFNC’s delegation, celebrating a century of wood trade between Japan and British Columbia.
“It was fascinating to learn about the global forestry industry and showcase our province’s contributions. It’s gratifying to see our work recognized internationally.”
Looking ahead, Mike is enthusiastic about increasing First Nations’ involvement in forestry.
“We were singled out and isolated for many years, but now there’s growing awareness and collaboration. The government is now reaching out to First Nations, which is essential for the future of forestry.”
Thank you, Mike, for your dedication and invaluable contributions to FESBC and the broader forestry community. Your work and vision continue to drive positive change and foster meaningful partnerships across British Columbia.
The FESBC Board of Directors and Staff Members are thrilled to accept this award.
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Canadian Forest Management Group Achievement Award by the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut Forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC). The award acknowledges groups or teams that have made noteworthy and exceptional contributions to forest management in Canada. It recognizes the multidisciplinary nature of forest ecosystem management by honouring the various groups that must collaborate. The award promotes excellence and leadership in group contributions to Canadian forest management.
“Our organization was very pleased when we received notification that we were the fortunate recipients of the award for 2024,” remarked Dave Peterson, chair of the FESBC Board of Directors. “FESBC continues to play a key role in the forests of B.C., working with our partners to create healthier, more productive forests for the future. We are so proud to receive this award from a prestigious organization such as the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut Forestier du Canada that acknowledges the achievement of this collaborative group of people throughout our province.”
CIF-IFC recognized FESBC’s significant contributions to Canada’s economic and social well-being. Loni Pierce, president of CIF-IFC and Margaret Symon, vice-president of CIF-IFC, shared in a letter that, “The organization has funded and supported numerous forest enhancement projects, investing millions of dollars across British Columbia and creating over 2,100 full-time equivalent jobs in the B.C. Forest sector.”
Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC, highlighted the organization’s unique role as a catalyst, effectively bridging the gap between landowners, the province of British Columbia, and the private sector.
“By leveraging the strengths of these entities, FESBC has been able to consistently deliver excellent environmental outcomes, social benefits, and economic gains for all involved,” remarked Kozuki. “I would also like to acknowledge our Board and FESBC staff who have all contributed their expertise and wealth of experience to the organization.”
CIF-IFC also acknowledged FESBC’s dedication to collaborating with Indigenous partners by funding numerous projects led by or involving First Nations. FESBC’s collaborative approach, which brings together the provincial government, local governments, Indigenous peoples, citizens, forest workers, large companies, small companies, forestry associations, and many others, is helping to tackle the complex issues and challenges British Columbia’s forests face.
Kozuki shared, “Our model is to tap into expertise at the grassroots level in First Nations and local communities. People who know their local forests and their priorities come forward and propose projects that work for their circumstances, so it is a real honour to accept this award on behalf of all those who have worked so hard. Thank you again for this recognition. It will inspire us to continue doing more work like this in the future.
Wildfire season has become a fact of life in recent years; every summer, wildfires erupt and threaten ecosystems, communities and our health—and now are further accelerated by climate change and forest fuel buildup.
The recent devastation in Jasper National Park is a solemn reminder of this impact. Now more than ever, we need a “whole of society” approach to a problem we can no longer ignore. Governments, industry, communities and the forest sector must work together to implement sustainable forest management practices; ones that protect the forests and ensure they remain places for future generations to live, work and play in.
By looking at B.C. in particular, where high-intensity wildfires ravaged the landscape last year, the importance of making wildfire resiliency a primary focus becomes clear.
Fire: friend vs foe
Fire is often considered a major threat—and with good reason. The 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive in B.C.’s recorded history with more than 2.84 million hectares of forest and land burned, tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate, hundreds of homes and structures lost or damaged, and an immeasurable impact to local economies.
That said, wildfires have served as an important part of ecosystems for centuries by clearing out the forest floor, creating openings in the forest and regenerating soil and vegetation.
“Wildfire naturally plays across landscapes to keep healthy ecosystems functioning,” says Steve Kozuki, executive director of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. “Fire, over thousands of years, comes and goes with a certain periodicity. In the semi-dry areas of the interior of British Columbia, it might be as frequent as every 10 or 20 years. Plants and animals come to depend on that fire to maintain their habitats.”
However, in recent decades, wildfire has been prevented from carrying out its critical role in B.C. forests. “When a fire starts, we apply the Smokey Bear mentality—that every fire is evil and needs to be put out,” explains Kozuki. “And we’ve been incredibly successful with that. We have excluded fire from our ecosystems here in B.C. And the result of that very successful fire suppression is a forest that becomes artificially old. I grew up looking at an ocean of continuous green forests, and I always thought it was beautiful. To my shame, I now understand that, in the absence of fire, it was actually degraded and detrimental to a healthy, functioning ecosystem.”
Long-time forestry consultant Bruce Blackwell agrees. “Over the last 100 years, strong wildfire suppression policies meant that more trees have filled in our forest. It’s led to stressors like drought, insects and disease, because we have more trees competing for the same resources. More trees means more fuel, which means fires burn hotter, they get larger and burn more area and they’re more difficult to control. And it’s the heat of those fires that is changing ecosystems such that they can’t recover as easily. They burn off important forest structure—organic matter, nutrients—and in some cases, they’re burning so hot that they’re basically creating sterile soils.”
“Trees and other vegetation have grown in, and biomass has accumulated on the forest floor creating more fuel,” adds Jennifer Gunter, executive director of the B.C. Community Forest Association. “And now we have an increased risk of large high-intensity fires that threaten the safety of communities and the health of our forests. This situation, created by our history of suppressing fire, along with land use and forestry decisions is, of course, made worse by climate change.”
Wildfire resiliency is critical
“A resilient forest is one that can withstand periodic events, like heat stress or very cold or very dry or very wet conditions,” says Kozuki. “Plants and animals have adapted to a certain range, including fire. You can have a disruption, but the ecosystem and everything in it can take a punch and keep on rolling.”
But because many B.C. forests haven’t had low-intensity fires in many decades, the trees have become much older than they would have naturally. “Trees are like people,” says Kozuki. “When they get older, they’re more susceptible to disease and other ailments. Similarly, the trees started growing more closely together and encroaching into natural grasslands, which impacts wildlife habitats.”
And when these overgrown forests catch on fire, especially during drought, “then we have uncontrollable, high-intensity fires, and they burn so hot that it incinerates everything,” he says. “With these mega fires, it’s going to be decades for ecological recovery as well as all the human trauma, and the financial cost of trying to protect those communities is massive.”
Kozuki points to the importance of the FireSmart BC program to help reduce wildfire risks to homes, neighbourhoods, critical infrastructure and natural resources through principles including education, emergency planning and vegetation management. It involves hardening homes and infrastructure against fire by removing fuel from rain gutters full of dried leaves or tree needles and creating a shaded fuel break—usually two kilometres wide—between the forest and a community, thinning the forest in the area so fire can’t jump from tree to tree.
“Fire plays an essential role ecologically and culturally,” affirms Gunter. “But the very large, high-intensity fires that we are seeing can be extremely damaging to communities. The impacts to communities, and to society as a whole, are ecological, social and economic. The effects on community members are physically and emotionally taxing. We see both short-term, and long-term impacts. So, in community forestry, we are extremely motivated to reduce the risk of these sorts of fires.”
Fighting fire with fire
“We’re thinning, we’re removing that fuel to reduce the intensities of fire and we’re doing some prescribed burning, but it’s a very small amount relative to the scale of the problem,” says Blackwell about restoration efforts. “The only way we’re successfully going to make the fire problem go away is that we have to get scale in terms of the treatments, whether that’s prescribed fire, whether that’s thinning or some form of harvesting. There has been a call for increased prescribed burning since the firestorm of 2003 in Kelowna that burned a lot of homes. That’s when it became very apparent that we needed to bring about fire on the landscape.”
Indigenous communities have long used prescribed burning as a practice to rejuvenate the land and the growth of new trees, plants and grasses. That said, prescribed burning is much more complicated now because of the number of people and all the infrastructure that exists. “Hydro utilities, wind farms, businesses like lodges, skiing areas—you can’t just burn those areas, and many of them would be too hazardous to burn without some removal of fuel before you try to burn them,” says Blackwell. “There’s a lot of areas that you can’t just burn without doing some kind of treatment to prepare the site ahead of burning. You can’t think of burning as a quick fix. It’s a long-term program that’s going to have to be done carefully in combination with treatment.”
How else can we make forests more resilient?
When it comes to harvesting and replanting, Natural Resources Canada has said that the rate of projected climate change is expected to be 10 to 100 times faster than the ability of trees to migrate naturally in Canada. By regenerating forests with trees better adapted to warming temperatures and changing climate conditions, foresters work with nature to help forests adapt to a changing climate.
Modern forest management strategies also involve carefully planned harvesting and replanting, which mimic natural growth cycles to minimize the impact of human intervention while mitigating the severity of climate change. And having younger trees to absorb carbon faster than mature ones helps balance forest growth and its capacity to store carbon for future generations.
“We grow the forest in a manner that nature would,” says Kozuki. “It’s often different age classes. It’s just like a human population. You wouldn’t want all of your humans to be between 60 and 100 years old.”
Community forests serve as a successful model for resiliency
Community forests are a unique part of B.C.’s forest tenure system that give forest management rights to communities through local governments, community groups or First Nations. B.C.’s Community Forest Program aims to create multiple benefits through forest management, increasing community participation and promoting innovation. Reducing the risk of wildfire to communities is a top priority.
“We are learning more and more about how forest management can play a key role in both mitigating and adapting to climate change,” says Gunter. “Managing forest fuels around our communities and creating more resilient forests at a landscape scale is urgently needed. It’s not forestry business as usual though; it involves new approaches that really improve the resilience of our forests.”
After coming off another wildfire season, it’s clear that sustainable forest management must go hand in hand with a collective and scaled-up approach to wildfire resiliency.
“By managing forests sustainably, we can create local jobs and economic benefits while working to create healthy forests that are more resilient to wildfire and climate change,” affirms Gunter.
On September 17 to 18, 2024 the Wood Pellet Association of Canada will be harnessing the energy of industry experts in Victoria, B.C. to discuss the critical role biomass and wood pellets play in the transition to a greener and brighter future.
During WPAC’s annual conference “Powering Sustainability: The Role of Biomass in Electrification”—over two days of sessions and networking events—an exciting lineup of experts will examine the electrification revolution taking place across Canada and around the globe.
“Waste Not, Want Not” on Wednesday, September 18 at 8:30 am will explore the challenges of moving logging residuals from the forest to the pellet plant and beyond and how these actions will keep our communities safer, reduce emissions, protect our forests, and provide clean energy.
“Powering the shift from fossil fuels to clean, renewable and responsible energy will require new innovations and solutions,” says Gordon Murray, Executive Director, WPAC. “Respected industry veteran Steve Kozuki will be sharing how the Forest Enhancement Society of BC is helping communities remove excess fibre from forests to reduce fuel for potential wildfires and providing the raw materials needed to make bio-products and bioenergy.”
It is estimated that millions of cubic metres of “wood waste” are left in Canada’s forests after harvesting, left to be burned in slash piles or contribute to forest fires. In his last official speaking engagement before retirement from FESBC, Steve will join other industry experts to illustrate home-grown actions that are demonstrating the importance of government and industry partnerships in solving these challenges.
The session features:
The Case for Forest Management – Ben Hudson, Manager, Carbon Accounting and Reporting, Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service
Lessons from Finland, Joe Nemeth, General Manager, BC Pulp and Paper Coalition
The British Columbia Approach – Steve Kozuki, Executive Director, Forest Enhancement Society of BC
Advances in Traceability & Geolocation – Carsten Huljus, CEO, Sustainable Biomass Program (EUDR)
Kozuki says it is an honour to cap his career talking about how the FESBC is a catalyst that empowers local people and uses forestry to create deep transformational shifts.
“FESBC is unique in the forest sector in British Columbia blending the best characteristics of industry with the best aspirations of government,” he adds. “It uses forest industry business know-how to create social and environmental benefits for the public enabling local people to propose projects using local knowledge, contractors and workers.”
Improving utilization of wood fibre is a win for people and our forests. Given that most of the recovered fibre would otherwise be burned in slash piles, FESBC projects are also helping B.C. reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada Conference is Canada’s largest gathering of the Canadian wood pellet industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the dialogue that transforms our future.
Register now for WPAC’s conference by clicking here.
Vancouver, B.C.: The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is proud to announce over $8.5 million in funding for 178 fish and wildlife conservation and conservation stewardship projects across B.C. this year, with over $1M allocated to projects in the Lower Mainland.
For over 40 years, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) has provided funding for conservation projects throughout B.C. Projects are led by a range of partners, including community groups, rod and gun clubs, non-government environmental organizations, First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and the British Columbia government. Since 1981, the HCTF has funded over 3,800 projects, representing an investment of over $232 million in conservation throughout the province.
Photos Row 1 left to right: Yuma Myotis bat captured from bat boxes at Alice Lake Provincial Park study site. Photo credit: Maleen Mund; Dr. J.P. Xu, McMaster University, samples the wing tissue of a bat for species identification. Photo credit: Aaron Wong; Dr. J.P. Xu of McMaster University swabs the inside roosting chambers of a bat box at Colony Farm Regional Park. Photo credit: Maleen Mund; Row 2: Researchers measure and sample bats captured in Stanley Park. Photo credit: Maleen Mund.
Among this year’s projects in the Lower Mainland region is a multi-year project co-funded by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), working to protect bats from white-nose syndrome—an aggressive, fatal bat disease caused by a fungus. “Saving bats and their biodiversity is important at an ecosystem scale,” said project leader Cori Lausen. “To protect several species of building-roosting bats is not only important for the ecosystem health but is specifically important in urban and rural areas where high human densities benefit from the insect-eating services of these long-lived — yet slow-reproducing – mammals.”
Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC said, “HCTF has some of the best expertise in wildlife biology and habitat management. That’s why FESBC is so pleased to collaborate with HCTF. Together we have improved wildlife habitat on numerous successful projects all around British Columbia. And we will continue to endeavour to assist wildlife to thrive and flourish for generations to come.”
The project is being supported by HCTF and FESBC, with $71,036 in co-funding this year.
“FESBC and HCTF are proud funders of our project leaders as they develop local solutions for our species, habitats, and ecosystems,” said Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF. “For example, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s important work to mitigate the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats; this project brings together the most up-to-date science with local land managers and requires collaboration with an extensive group of partners at the international, national, and local levels.”
Other HCTF-funded projects taking place on the West Coast include:
$152,001 to capture and tag juvenile White Sturgeon in the Fraser River and select tributaries to improve understanding of the distribution and abundance of this important species.
$8,120 for the ‘Nature is for Everyone’ program, welcoming those who are under-represented in the environmental restoration movement to get involved and connect with nature.
$20,000 to support the development of an Indigenous-led conservation and protection project on Sumas Mountain in the traditional territory of the Semá:th people.
$88,591 to better understand the human-caused impacts on urban coyotes to help reduce human-coyote conflict in urban areas.
$25,000 to improve citizens’ understanding of pollution sources in the Township of Langley and incentivize improved agricultural land management practices.
Each project funded by HCTF undergoes a multi-level, objective, and technical review process prior to final Board review and decision. HCTF’s Board of Directors ensures that species important to B.C. anglers and hunters are supported but also places a great deal of importance on conserving whole ecosystems, species-at-risk, and investing in environmental education across the province.
The FESBC-HCTF partnership exemplifies how collaborative efforts can lead to significant environmental and community benefits. As the two organizations look toward the future, the lessons learned from this partnership will continue to guide efforts in forest and wildlife habitat management.
To read more about these projects, visit www.hctf.ca.
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
Victoria, B.C.: The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is proud to announce over $8.5 million in funding for 178 fish and wildlife conservation and conservation stewardship projects across B.C. this year, with over $850,000 allocated to projects in the West Coast region.
For over 40 years, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) has provided funding for conservation projects throughout B.C. Projects are led by a range of partners including community groups, rod and gun clubs, non-government environmental organizations, First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and the British Columbia government. Since 1981, the HCTF has funded over 3,800 projects, representing an investment of over $232 million for conservation in the province.
Photos left to right: Volunteers help remove invasive Reed canary grass and plant native species on Blackburn Lake; Volunteers weed paths, and remove tent caterpillars from Garry oaks in the Salt Spring Island Conservancy’s Garry Oak Demonstration Ecosystem at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve; At Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve, workshop participants learn land stewardship in a time of climate change. Photo credit: Salt Spring Island Conservancy.
Among this year’s projects in the West Coast region is a multi-year project, co-funded by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), working to protect and enhance wildlife habitat on Salt Spring Island. Through several conservation strategies such as the acquisition of ecologically valuable lands, engagement with private landowners, restoration of habitat areas, and supporting the growth of native species, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy aims to employ climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for the long-term conservation of wildlife habitat. All of the strategies incorporate public outreach: “This project increases conservation awareness through presentations, workshops, brochures, and signage,” said project leader Penny Barnes. “Conservation awareness is a tangible first step towards habitat protection.”
Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC said, “HCTF has some of the best expertise in wildlife biology and habitat management. That’s why FESBC is so pleased to collaborate with HCTF. Together we have improved wildlife habitat on numerous successful projects all around British Columbia. And we will continue to endeavour to assist wildlife to thrive and flourish for generations to come.”
The project is being supported by HCTF and FESBC, with $48,795 in co-funding this year.
“In the forested landscape, many non-government organizations such as the Salt Spring Island Conservancy work with landowners in their communities to increase knowledge about their local ecosystems and transform that information into community actions that protect and enhance wildlife habitat,” said Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF. “As funders, FESBC and HCTF are excited to support our local project leaders, who deliver these projects and create better outcomes for our fish, wildlife, and their habitats.”
Other HCTF-funded projects taking place on the West Coast include:
$91,500 to restore the wetland habitat of a former sawmill site in the heart of the salmonid migratory corridor for the watersheds of two major rivers, the Puntledge and the Tsolum.
$50,000 to share cultural teachings and ways of knowing about Xpey’ (Western red cedar) to inspire region-wide cultural restoration and protection activities.
$52,810 for the Vancouver Island Small Lake Enrichment Program, adding nutrients and modifying angling regulations to support kokanee salmon and rainbow trout stock.
$9,700 for the restoration of vital tidal marsh habitats in Craigflower Estuary through eco-cultural fencing: the creation of tidal channels and replenishing marsh banks.
$100,000 to restore habitat in Xwaaqw’um on Salt Spring Island by creating new wetlands, repairing streams, and deactivating old logging roads.
Each project funded by HCTF undergoes a multi-level, objective, and technical review process prior to final Board review and decision. HCTF’s Board of Directors ensures that species important to B.C. anglers and hunters are supported but also places a great deal of importance on conserving whole ecosystems, species-at-risk, and investing in environmental education across the province.
The FESBC-HCTF partnership exemplifies how collaborative efforts can lead to significant environmental and community benefits. As the two organizations look toward the future, the lessons learned from this partnership will continue to guide efforts in forest and wildlife habitat management.
To read more about these projects, visit www.hctf.ca.
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
Nelson, B.C.: The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is proud to announce over $8.5 million in funding for 178 fish and wildlife conservation and conservation stewardship projects across B.C. this year, with over $1.3M allocated to projects in the Kootenay Boundary region.
For over 40 years, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) has provided funding for conservation projects throughout B.C. Projects are led by a range of partners including community groups and rod and gun clubs, environmental non-government organizations, First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and the British Columbia government. Since 1981, the HCTF has funded over 3,800 projects representing an investment of over $232 million for conservation in the province.
Photos left to right: Lewis’ woodpecker, classified as “Threatened” under the Species at Risk Act, spotted near Kettle River; Photo credit: Norma Howes; 2023 Wetlands Institute Restoration project site. Photo credit: Jamie Long.
Among this year’s projects in the Kootenay Boundary region is a multi-year project working to conserve the rare black cottonwood forests of the Kettle River. The riparian ecosystems (which help connect land to water and provide fish habitat in B.C.) are home to several species at risk, and The Granby Wilderness Society has undertaken restoration work for several years to improve habitat. This year the Society is increasing its stewardship efforts by working with landowners to identify habitat concerns and assist with additional restoration efforts: “The biggest project successes are meeting landowners that have healthy riparian areas and are good stewards. Private lands play such an important role in conservation,” said project leader Jenny Coleshill.
The project is being supported by the HCTF and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) with $30,480 in co-funding this year.
Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC said, “HCTF has some of the best expertise in wildlife biology and habitat management. That’s why FESBC is so pleased to collaborate with HCTF. Together we have improved wildlife habitat on numerous successful projects all around British Columbia. And we will continue to endeavour to assist wildlife to thrive and flourish for generations to come.”
“HCTF and FESBC believe in the power of a partnership; just like the Granby Wilderness Society, local governments, and landowners who are working together to enhance riparian areas along the river,” said Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF. “Establishing healthy riparian black cottonwood stands along the Kettle River supports our rivers as they are dynamic systems shifting between flood and drought states. A healthy riparian zone lessens flooding and drought impacts, improves water quality, and supports a more diverse and abundant population of aquatic and terrestrial species along with their habitats.”
Other HCTF-funded projects taking place in the Kootenays include:
$130,500 for a River Guardian program in eight Kootenay region watersheds to maintain or improve angling quality and protect our native freshwater fish populations.
$83,830 to enhance 112 hectares of elk winter range in the Upper Kicking Horse Canyon through thinning of immature forest to promote forage growth and allow ease of elk movement.
$70,150 to restore habitat on approximately 105 km of roads within the Columbia North herd of the Southern Mountain Caribou ecotype.
$38,222 for improving the basking log habitat for the blue-listed (Indigenous species which are vulnerable to the region) Western Painted Turtle on Erie Lake.
$50,000 for the 2024 Wetlands Institute in the East Kootenays, a seven-day workshop that provides practitioners with the tools and knowledge to initiate wetland stewardship projects.
Each project funded by HCTF undergoes a multi-level, objective, and technical review process prior to the final Board review and decision. HCTF’s Board of Directors ensures that species important to B.C. anglers and hunters are supported but also places great importance on conserving whole ecosystems, species-at-risk, and investing in environmental education across the province.
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
Fort St. James, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a compelling new Accomplishments Update titled “Climate SolutionsPowered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers,” showcasing the remarkable achievements of its funded projects throughout the province. These actions on climate change have not only reduced net greenhouse gas emissions but also created economic opportunities for workers. There is now a greater sense of what growing a sustainable bioeconomy can look like in local B.C. communities.
One project featured in the report is the FESBC-funded project of BioNorth Energy—a joint venture between the Nak’azdli Development Corporation, the Arrow Group of Companies, and Nexus PMG. This collaboration in Fort St. James has successfully diverted logging waste fibre from being burned in slash piles to the biomass energy facility, transforming what was once considered waste into green energy. Last year, about 3,400 truckloads of logging waste were diverted to the BioNorth facility, helping avoid 27,800 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to 6,000 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki, said, “We are very proud of the project partners in local areas all around British Columbia who have stepped forward with creative and thoughtful projects which not only utilize more waste wood or reduce wildfire risk but also drive additional benefits. FESBC projects show that there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between the environment or the economy – it can, and should be, a win for both.”
First row (L-R): Grinding logging waste fibre to transport it to BioNorth Energy’s biomass energy facility; Photo Credit: BioNorth Energy. Second row: FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki engaged in a discussion during a project tour; Photo Credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.
The Accomplishments Update delves into two other significant initiatives: Williams Lake First Nation’s leadership in wildfire risk reduction and Atli Resources LP’s chip plant, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the ‘Namgis First Nation. These stories highlight how FESBC-funded projects are driving meaningful change by synergistically achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits all at the same time.
The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future.
To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives undertaken throughout B.C. through FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca
Williams Lake, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a compelling new Accomplishments Update titled “Climate SolutionsPowered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers,” showcasing the remarkable achievements of its funded projects throughout the province. These actions on climate change have not only reduced net greenhouse gas emissions but also created economic opportunities for workers. There is now a greater sense of what growing a sustainable bioeconomy can look like in local B.C. communities.
One such featured project is Williams Lake First Nation’s project to mitigate wildfire risk reduction while also contributing to green energy production. The Nation has undertaken a comprehensive wildfire risk reduction project within its traditional territory, addressing one of the most prevalent environmental challenges in the Chilcotin region. However, rather than opting for the conventional practice of burning the wood waste in slash piles after thinning the trees—a method that contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions—the Nation strategically decided to transport this material to local facilities, where it is converted into green energy. This approach has already resulted in helping avoid 490 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to removing over 100 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
Photo: FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki engaged in a discussion during a project tour. Photo Credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.
FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki, said, “We are very proud of the project partners in local areas all around British Columbia who have stepped forward with creative and thoughtful projects which not only utilize more waste wood or reduce wildfire risk but also drive additional benefits. FESBC projects show that there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between the environment or the economy – it can, and should be, a win for both.”
The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future.
Left photo: Williams Lake First Nation’s (WLFN) forestry crew grinding fibre. Photo Credit: WLFN. Right photo: A pile of residual fibre. Photo Credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.
The Accomplishments Update delves into two other significant initiatives: the BioNorth Energy plant project in Fort St. James, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the Nak’azdli Development Corporation, and Atli Resources LP’s chip plant, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the ‘Namgis First Nation. These stories highlight how FESBC-funded projects are driving meaningful change by synergistically achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits all at the same time.
To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives being undertaken throughout B.C. with the help of FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca
Port McNeill, Alert Bay and Surrounding Communities, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a compelling new Accomplishments Update titled “Climate SolutionsPowered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers,” showcasing the remarkable achievements of its funded projects across throughout the province. These actions on climate change have not only reduced net greenhouse gas emissions but also created economic opportunities for workers. There is now a greater sense of what growing a sustainable bioeconomy can look like in local B.C. communities.
One such featured project is Atli Resources LP’s success in sustainable forestry practices through its work in recovering over 700 truckloads of low-value fibre and helping avoid 16,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 3,480 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
Photo: Atli Resources LP truck carrying logs of wood for chipping. Photo credit: Atli Resources LP.
At the heart of this project is the Atli Chip facility in Beaver Cove, where logging waste fibre from remote areas—including Holberg, Port Alice, Woss, and Port McNeill—is collected and chipped to make small pieces of wood. This fibre, which lies outside the economic radius of low-value wood, is now being put to valuable use. The chipped material is then transported to support the operations of Paper Excellence’s pulp mills in Howe Sound and Crofton, demonstrating how innovative approaches can extend the utility of forestry byproducts while reducing environmental impact.
Chief Victor Isaac of the ‘Namgis First Nation, which owns Atli Resources LP, reflected on the projects’ profound cultural and environmental impact and said, “For generations, our connection to the forest has been fundamental, from the cedar bark used in our traditions and day-to-day life to the trees that support our existence. These forests are not just resources—they are vital to our cultural identity and way of life. FESBC’s funding has been crucial in maintaining this. It’s allowed us to integrate sustainable management practices that respect our heritage while ensuring the forests remain vibrant and productive for future generations. This project doesn’t just benefit us economically through job creation—it helps maintain the health of our lands, which is priceless.”
The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future.
First row (left): Atli Resources LP chipping facility; Photo credit: Atli Resources LP; First row (right):Pile of residual fibre. Photo credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC. Second row (left to right): A closer look at the residual fibre for sustainable applications such as biomass, paper products, etc. Photo credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.
FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki, said, “We are very proud of the project partners in local areas all around British Columbia who have stepped forward with creative and thoughtful projects which not only utilize more waste wood or reduce wildfire risk but also drive additional benefits. FESBC projects show that there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between the environment or the economy – it can, and should be, a win for both.”
The Accomplishments Update delves into two other significant initiatives: Williams Lake First Nation’s leadership in wildfire risk reduction and the BioNorth Energy plant project in Fort St. James, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the Nak’azdli Development Corporation. These stories highlight how FESBC-funded projects are driving meaningful change by synergistically achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits all at the same time.
To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives being undertaken throughout B.C. through FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca
New Accomplishments Update Highlights the Transformative Impact of FESBC-Funded Projects on Climate Action
Local Forest Workers in British Columbia Take Significant Steps to Combat Climate Change
Kamloops, B.C. – British Columbia’s forestry sector, in collaboration with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), is making significant strides to take action on climate change. To showcase the impacts of the work undertaken by FESBC and its project partners, FESBC has released an accomplishments update titled “Climate Solutions Powered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers.” The update shares how B.C.’s forest workers are helping drive climate change solutions and how, as a result, British Columbia and the world are seeing environmental, social, and economic wins.
“Our work with our project partners highlights the power of collaboration in taking action on climate change using the powerful nature-based tool of forestry. By turning wood waste into green energy and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires which emit many tonnes of smoke into the air, we are not only helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but creating environmentally sustainable economic opportunities for communities throughout the province,” said FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki. “These projects demonstrate that when we work together, we can achieve meaningful and lasting impacts for the environment, for our society, and for our economy.”
Photo: Steve Kozuki standing against the backdrop of residual fibre, ready for efficient utilization. Photo Credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.
Since FESBC’s inception in 2017 through early 2023, FESBC-funded projects have sequestered 4.2 million tonnes of CO2e—equivalent to removing 904,000 cars from the road for an entire year—while delivering numerous benefits beyond wildfire risk reduction and fibre utilization. This latest Accomplishments Update from FESBC highlights three impactful projects featuring partnerships with BioNorth Energy in Fort St. James, Williams Lake First Nation, and Atli Resources LP on Vancouver Island. It showcases how local forestry workers are working to transform logging waste and low-value fibre into valuable green energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all while supporting local economies and effectively reducing the province’s carbon footprint.
First row (left to right): A barge transporting residual fibre from Atli Resources LP. Photo Credit: Atli Resources LP; Williams Lake First Nation’s (WLFN) forestry crew grinding fibre. Photo Credit: WLFN; Grinding logging waste fibre to transport it to BioNorth Energy’s biomass energy facility; Photo Credit: BioNorth Energy. Second row: A closer look at the residual fibre for sustainable applications such as biomass, paper products, etc. Photo Credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.
Reflecting on the Atli Resources LP project’s profound cultural and environmental impacts and why undertaking such projects is important, Chief Victor Isaac of the ‘Namgis First Nation said, “For generations, our connection to the forest has been fundamental, from the cedar bark used in our traditions and day-to-day life to the trees that support our existence. These forests are not just resources—they are vital to our cultural identity and way of life. FESBC’s funding has been crucial in maintaining this. It’s allowed us to integrate sustainable management practices that respect our heritage while ensuring the forests remain vibrant and productive for future generations. This project doesn’t just benefit us economically through job creation—it helps maintain the health of our lands, which is priceless.”
The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future.
“The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is an important partner in our work supporting the forest sector, leading projects focussed on enhancing recreational values, stand rehabilitation, and supplying fibre to local mills,” said Shane Berg, chief forester and assistant deputy minister for the Office of the Chief Forester. “We also know that prevention is a vital part of protecting communities from wildfires, and the projects supported by FESBC are strong examples of the proactive work we undertake to protect both forests and communities in B.C.”
To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives undertaken throughout B.C. through FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca
