Kamloops, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Jason Fisher will be the incoming FESBC executive director to replace Steve Kozuki, the current executive director who is retiring.
“We are so thankful to have had such remarkable candidates apply for this important leadership role,” shared Dave Peterson, board chair of FESBC. “After a comprehensive search, we are delighted to share that Jason Fisher has been selected as the successful candidate. I am thrilled that Jason will be joining our FESBC team; he will be taking on the role officially as of September 4, 2024.”
Photo: Jason Fisher
Fisher is no stranger to forestry or FESBC. Seven years ago, he worked within the Ministry of Forests and was a part of the team that helped develop FESBC’s structure.
“This opportunity is like a homecoming for me,” remarked Fisher, a Registered Professional Forester who was born, raised, and still resides in Prince George. “To be involved with FESBC at the beginning, to watch it create a foundation of respect, funding essential forest enhancement projects throughout the province, to now having the good fortune of being the incoming executive director, it is an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to starting this September.”
“FESBC has done great work and is a highly effective organization that is building momentum. One just needs to look at the number of projects the organization has funded and the outcomes of those projects to reduce open burning and utilize wood fibre, to help make communities safer from wildfire, and to protect our precious natural resources to see the value of FESBC. As a forester and a British Columbian, I am both thrilled and humbled to take on this role, which allows the provincial government, the FESBC team and, most importantly, program recipients, to invest in more resilient forests and a more beneficial and equitable vision of forest management, now and for generations to come,” Fisher said.
Kozuki is also delighted to have someone of Fisher’s calibre take on the role.
“I am so pleased to have Jason lead FESBC into the future,” noted Kozuki. “His deep experience within the forest industry, Indigenous business development, and senior public sector government roles will serve FESBC and the people of British Columbia very well going forward.”
The Board and staff at FESBC recognize the impact this wildfire season has already had on individuals and communities. Our thoughts are with those impacted, and we remain committed to funding projects that are working to reduce wildfire risk in B.C.
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
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 Ken Day, FESBC’s Board Secretary and a Registered Professional Forester with 44 years of experience.
Throughout his career, Ken has made significant contributions to the forestry sector, spending most of his professional life working for the University of British Columbia as the Manager of the Alex Fraser Research Forest near Williams Lake.
Following his retirement in 2018, he transitioned into forestry consulting, where he continues to make a positive impact on forest management practices, mainly focused on the intersection of fire and silviculture in dry Douglas-fir forests.
Before coming onto the Board of Directors, Ken was involved in proposing and executing projects for clients with FESBC’s support.
“I think the work we are funding around fuel reduction and silviculture is critical to protecting communities and making our forests more resilient. I also really appreciate the role FESBC is playing by funding projects that are important to First Nations,” he shared.
With his extensive forestry background, Ken is pleased to be part of FESBC’s Board of Directors and work with the other members to set the organization’s strategic direction.
“As Board Secretary, I have some additional duties around governance and recruitment, but our excellent staff keep that workload very light,” he added.
Looking ahead, Ken is optimistic about the impact of new projects, particularly those focused on biomass utilization and community wildfire protection programs.
“I am also glad to see more thinning projects turning on as a result of our support to get fibre moving to consumers,” he added.
Ken stressed the significance of these initiatives in promoting sustainable forestry practices and acknowledged that forestry is much more than logging and sawmills.
“Forestry is foremost a science and a craft of growing trees and forests for all the ecological, cultural, and economic values they provide,” he said. “We are on the cusp of change right now, as First Nations bring their cultural and ecological knowledge to bear on the way we manage forests in British Columbia. FESBC is helping to speed up the process by supporting projects that are meaningful to First Nations.”
Beyond his work with FESBC, Ken is deeply involved in his community. He is passionate about mentoring young professionals and serves on the boards of the Williams Lake Community Forest and Scout Island Nature Centre. Additionally, he has been a dedicated member of the Canadian Ski Patrol for 23 years and a grandfather for 10 years.
Thank you, Ken, for your passion, expertise, and dedication to fuel reduction, fibre recovery and preserving habitat values. Your contributions to FESBC and local communities are deeply valuable and inspiring.
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) recently added a new Operations Manager to its team. Meet Tyler Field, a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) with 25 years of experience in the forest sector.
Growing up in Vancouver, Tyler always enjoyed escaping from the ‘big city’ to immerse himself in the outdoors, often going camping and skiing.
“When I was applying for post-secondary education, I saw the forestry program offered at the University of British Columbia and thought that would be a good way to find a career working outside,” said Tyler. “I had no idea what forestry was about, as there was no connection in my family to the industry.”
After his first year of university, Tyler got a job in Gold River on Vancouver Island working with Pacific Forest Products and never looked back.
“I loved my first-year work experience. The opportunity to find meaningful work and live in small communities was a perfect fit for me as it enabled me to do all the things I loved to do,” he explained.
Since starting with Western Forest Products on Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, Tyler has worked in several different roles, including Contract Manager, Quality Control Manager (for logs), Resident/Operations Forester (overseeing industrial forestry operations), Timber Cruiser (counting and measuring trees), and Layout Engineer (designing forest road systems and timber harvesting plans). Most recently, he was the Operations Manager at the Nootka Forest Operation in Gold River.
These different roles throughout his career have given Tyler the skills and expertise needed to move into the operations manager role with FESBC, with confidence.
As one of FESBC’s operations manager, some of Tyler’s responsibilities include working with proponents to ensure projects become successful, and networking with potential proponents, government ministries, First Nations, and industry leaders to promote FESBC.
Over the years, he has found the most rewarding part of his career to be the opportunity to work in a variety of forest landscapes across the province and do meaningful work that helps create jobs and utilize a renewable resource.
Tyler is excited to work alongside a highly motivated and efficient team, as well as be able to work with local people throughout British Columbia.
“I am looking forward to working on projects that will help enhance the forests, the environment, communities, and lives of all people in British Columbia” he added. “Working in the industry my whole career to date, shifting to a role where I am able to give back to projects that have profound social purposes, that will enhance forests, provide jobs where they are needed, and utilize wood fibre that would normally be left in the bush, is all truly exciting to me.”
Beyond his professional life, Tyler enjoys outdoor adventures with his family and friends. In the winter, he enjoys skiing at Mount Cain, and during the summer, he spends weekends sailing. He also enjoys playing tennis, golf, and squash, and loves fishing and hunting whenever the opportunities arise. He considers himself to be a long-time Canucks and Blue Jays fan.
FESBC’s Executive Director Steve Kozuki said, “Tyler brings strong knowledge, skills and abilities to the FESBC team, particularly with respect to his systematic approach to forest worker safety and his incredibly deep experience in overseeing large scale private sector industrial forestry operations. With his vast expertise, dedication to the betterment of our forests and communities, and undeniable passion, Tyler is set to make a positive impact on FESBC. Welcome to FESBC, Tyler!”
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) welcomes a new Operations Manager to its team. Meet Travis Emsland, a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) with over 20 years of work experience in the forestry sector.
Initially drawn to forestry because of the opportunities it presented to work outdoors and the variety of avenues to pursue within the sector, Travis began his career as a tree planter in northern Manitoba.
He attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, graduating in 2001 and obtained his RPF (Registered Professional Forester) status in Alberta two years later. From there on, Travis worked as a partner in a consulting firm in Slave Lake, Alberta where he specialized as a Silviculture Forester.
In June 2019, he was offered a position in British Columbia as a Stewardship Forester with the Ministry of Forests’ Rocky Mountain Resource District, which led him to relocate with his family to Cranbrook and obtain his British Columbia RPF designation a few months later. Travis worked exclusively from that point forward in the Wildfire Risk Reduction program until April of this year when he joined FESBC.
Travis will primarily provide strategic oversight for FESBC’s programs related to wildfire risk reduction.
“This role will include working with our project proponents and our colleagues at PricewaterhouseCoopers to ensure that FESBC projects maximize the achievement of multiple benefits. Projects can be designed to not only reduce wildfire risk to communities, but at the same time also improve wildlife habitat, create recreational opportunities, reduce greenhouse gasses, manage for healthier resilient forests, and generate economic benefits for local people” he shared.
As he begins his journey with FESBC, Travis has found a deep sense of appreciation for the team’s support, as well as the diversity of backgrounds and experiences everyone brings to the table.
“My colleagues here at FESBC are wonderful people to work with. My favourite aspect of my job is the conversations I have with people who are looking to do unique things that will benefit all British Columbians. The field tours throughout the province to see FESBC funded projects are fantastic as well.”
He is looking forward to travelling throughout British Columbia and seeing first-hand how local people are making a difference, especially with respect to increasing fibre utilization with their projects and reducing wildfire risk to communities, taking action on climate change, and so much more, plus being involved with the FireSmart BC Committee.
During his free time, Travis enjoys staying active and hanging out with his partner, Lenore and their daughters Kennedy and Nicole. In the winter, he plays hockey, curls, and swims, and during the summer, he spends most of his time paddle-boarding, biking, or golfing. He really enjoys tackling woodworking projects in his backyard and would like to get into fly-fishing in the near future.
FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki said “With his extensive expertise around wildfire risk reduction and passion for forestry in general, Travis is set to make a positive impact on FESBC and contribute to the continued well-being of British Columbia’s forests and people. Welcome to FESBC, Travis!”
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. This month, we feature Ben Klassen, Chief Operating Officer of the Klassen Business Group.
Founded in 1963 by Ben’s grandfather, the Klassen Business Group has evolved from its humble beginnings in sawdust hauling to offering a wide variety of products and services with applications in the agricultural, landscaping, and industrial sectors.
“It was only natural for me to pursue a career in the family business. Over time, I’ve developed a keen interest in forestry residuals and the responsible stewardship of our resources,” said Ben. “I’m always excited to find the optimal value and applications for our residual products, especially given the dwindling fibre resources.”
Over the years, Ben has worked in various roles within the business, gathering invaluable experience and in-depth understanding of the company’s operations and the industries they serve. This practical experience has shaped his hands-on leadership style and provided him with the expertise needed to effectively strategize and tackle challenges head on.
In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Ben leads the teams and companies through their daily operations, managing business development and maintaining strong relationships with customers and timber harvesting companies.
“I really enjoy serving our customers and taking on complex challenges. With the ongoing pressures of diminishing forest fibre supply and escalating demand, there’s no shortage of complexities to navigate. But with each challenge comes an opportunity for innovation and growth, and that’s what keeps pushing me forward,” he expressed.
For the past 6 years, the Klassen Business Group has been FESBC’s recipient for multiple proposals, enabling them to acquire more fibre to bring to the market that would previously been left in the forest as waste.
“FESBC’s ongoing support has also been integral to the growth and sustainability of our operations in Merritt, B.C., where the market has been hit hard by timber supply reductions, magnifying the importance of managing forestry waste wood in the forest and turning it into biomass to make green energy and sustainable forest products,” he added.
As Ben expressed, the level of collaboration within the forestry industry is deeply inspiring, as he has witnessed first-hand how multiple groups have come together to design creative projects that solve problems and accomplish a common goal.
“The collaboration between our division of Valley Carriers, along with Stuwix Resource Joint Venture, the Innovation, Bioeconomy and Indigenous Opportunities branch, FESBC and BC Jobs Manufacturing, allowed us to launch the BioHub project in Merritt over the last year. This coordinated effort enabled us to utilize 35% more wood than would be traditionally harvested and projects like these are significant strides in sustainable forestry practices and responsible use of resources.”
Throughout his career, Ben has found a genuine sense of satisfaction in developing innovative solutions that meet their customers’ needs and exceeds their expectations. However, what truly fulfills him is the impact their work has on the lives and livelihoods of so many people across the province.
“Employing 200 individuals and supporting numerous careers and families is incredibly gratifying. It’s a privilege to contribute to something that not only drives economic growth but also nurtures and sustains communities and the people within them,” he expressed.
For Ben, forestry holds immense potential for the future as a multifaceted driver of employment and economic growth, reaching far beyond the confines of traditional activities.
“Beyond harvest and initial processing, there lies a wealth of untapped opportunities, particularly in forestry waste utilization. By fully optimizing and utilizing the resources, we can elevate sustainability, stimulate economic growth, and unlock the full potential of our forests.”
As the availability of timber supply dwindles, the Klassen Business Group’s role becomes increasingly crucial to effectively use more of the wood we do have and meet the growing need for wood fibre, especially in sectors like agriculture and energy.
“While there may be a traditional perception gap regarding these resources, by adopting a more open-minded approach, we can reimagine the potential of these resources and leverage them to address pressing market demands,” he remarked.
Thank you, Ben, for your leadership and dedication to responsible forestry stewardship and innovative resource utilization.
Kimberley, B.C. – The City of Kimberley, with funding support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), is making significant strides in wildfire risk reduction through a targeted project in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) southwest of the community. This initiative, important to help better protect the community, the wildlife habitats and community infrastructure, including City and public assets such as power and water infrastructure, municipal buildings, schools, etc., began in the summer of 2023, and the City’s efforts on the project are ongoing.
“Protecting, people, communities and forests from the threat of worsening wildfires caused by climate change is something our government takes seriously,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “In partnership with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), we are funding wildfire risk reduction projects that reduce fuels in forests near communities. These projects not only help slow or stop the spread of fires, but greatly increase the success of fire suppression efforts by BC Wildfire Service crews on the ground.”
Given the difficult terrain, the treatments are being carried out manually (by people instead of machines), focused on thinning the forest to create gaps between the trees, cutting low-hanging branches, and reducing the amount of woody fuel through pile burning during appropriate burning conditions; Photos credit: Brian Watson/FESBC.
In the summer of 2023, the City began work on its wildfire risk reduction project on 102 hectares of land in the WUI—the area where houses and other buildings are close to, or mixed with, natural areas like forests or grasslands—southwest of Kimberley. This area, identified over 15 years ago as needing treatment, was deprioritized until it was established as Williamson’s sapsucker habitat. The forest area provides essential living conditions for the Williamson’s sapsucker, a species of woodpeckers important for biodiversity and forest ecosystem health. With FESBC’s support, the City could address this high-risk area, a known corridor for the flow of fire, and work toward effectively reducing the potential for more severe wildfires.
Bob Gray, an AFE-Certified Wildland Fire Ecologist and Fire Scientist with the City said, “The support of FESBC is significant in helping the City meet its wildfire risk reduction and maintenance objectives. Specifically, the FESBC funds, due to the scale of funding, have been instrumental in tackling an area of extreme hazard in what has been historically known as a dominant fire flow corridor. Without FESBC funding, the City would not be able to treat at the scale necessary to make a difference to fire size and severity.”
Given the difficult terrain, the treatments are being carried out manually (by people instead of machines), focused on thinning the forest to create gaps between the trees, cutting low-hanging branches, and reducing the amount of woody fuel through pile burning during appropriate burning conditions. The project is expected to be completed by the winter of 2024. This methodical approach will restore natural ecological health while effectively managing wildfire risks. Indeed, the two objectives go hand-in-hand with numerous other benefits.
Brian Watson, operations manager with FESBC said, “FESBC acknowledges the City of Kimberley as a leader in interface management. Funding this project aligns well with our purposes; by thinning the forests, we are creating a more fire-resilient stand while at the same time restoring favourable conditions for the Williamson’s sapsucker. FESBC’s investment will tie into the greater strategic WRR plan for the city and of the Rocky Mountain Resource District which is active, through their WRR program, in areas adjacent to the Municipal lands.”
Clearly, the City’s strategic and proactive approach also involves major ecological considerations for the wildfire risk reduction work as well as considering wildlife habitat. The City has already developed a guidebook through funding from the Columbia Basin Trust on how to balance wildfire risk reduction with wildlife habitat management. This guide was a joint effort between fire ecologists and wildlife biologists and this FESBC-funded project is one of the case studies referenced in the guidebook.
“The team of biologists we work with collaborates closely with fire management experts and foresters to carefully plan our actions. We begin by setting clear goals based on what we know about fire behaviour and its effects on the environment. Then, we repeatedly test and adjust our strategies to find the best solutions that not only reduce the risk of wildfires but also protect wildlife habitat. Throughout this project, we’ve successfully found ways to meet both fire safety and environmental conservation goals without compromising one for the other,” said Gray.
In Kimberley’s wildfire risk reduction efforts, the choice between chipping and mastication – the process of mechanically grinding or shredding vegetation to reduce fuel loads and manage forest undergrowth – or burning is influenced by several factors, and while the City has employed both methods in the past, this particular project is heavily favouring planned and prescribed burns over chipping. The significant biomass in the project, exceeding 80 metric tonnes per hectare, is challenging to manage through chipping and mastication alone due to the slow decomposition rates of the woody fibre left after the work and the predicted magnitude of the fuel that would be spread on the forest floor post-treatment. The buildup can become a fire hazard itself. Historically, local ecosystems have adapted to fire as the primary method of wood decomposition, making burning a natural fit. Burning mimics these natural processes, effectively reducing fuel loads and preventing the high-intensity fires that can result from chipped material smouldering during wildfires. This method, according to Gray, is not only supported by the scientific community but is also considered a success for the City in better protecting the community by reducing its future wildfire risk.
Don McCormick, Mayor of the City of Kimberley, explained how long the City has been involved in the wildfire risk reduction work and the importance of FESBC funding. “Kimberley has made wildfire mitigation a priority since 2006, maximizing grants to get as much work done as possible. Efforts intensified in 2018 after the community was on evacuation alert for three weeks. As wildfire risk has increased, getting enough money to make a difference has been more difficult. The funding from FESBC allowed us to get more done with economies of scale [more efficiently], employ more people longer, and build capacity for future efforts. We could not have done any of this without FESBC’s funding support. It has made our community a safer place.”
The City of Kimberley continues to build upon its wildfire risk reduction work and drafted a five-year landscape fire risk and impact reduction plan to identify logical treatment areas and required budgets to do the work. The plan will be forwarded to BC Wildfire Service shortly. The City will further benefit from a large-scale fire risk and impacts assessment being conducted by the First Nations Emergency Services Society of BC (an arm of the BC First Nations Forestry Council) and the local Ktunaxa Nation.
“Wildfire risk reduction is critical if we are going to have any hope of reducing the area burned and the negative consequences of fire,” noted Gray. “The best form of wildfire mitigation is taking steps to reduce wildfire risk. It works, but it has to be scaled up.”
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
Kamloops, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) continues to accept applications to fund forest enhancement projects, year-round. In the Provincial Government’s Budget 2024, FESBC was entrusted with $60 million in funding; $20 million to be allocated each year over the next three years. Projects to receive funding are those whose primary goal is wildfire risk reduction, enhanced wood fibre utilization, or both, while also achieving additional benefits such as wildlife habitat enhancement, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from utilizing wood fibre, improving recreational opportunities, and rehabilitating forests.
“Forests are at the heart of our identity in B.C., and we are all responsible for ensuring their future,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has played a pivotal role in our work to support a strong and sustainable forest sector. FESBC is supporting projects that focus on better fibre utilization and wildfire risk reduction, helping to slow or stop the spread of wildfires by removing fuel from forests and also getting more fibre into the hands of the forestry sector. This provides jobs, keeps businesses running, and builds thriving families and communities across B.C.”
Landscape-level fuel break on Harrop Ridge, Photo credit: Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative
Atli Chip Plant, Photo credit: Atli Resources LLP
Fuel Break on a Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. project. Photo credit: CCR
SIFCo type 1 treatment – Wildland Urban Interface hand treatment crew for wildfire risk reduction. Photo credits: Rachel Bone;
The funding will help local people who are interested in doing thoughtful forest enhancement work in their local communities. These initiatives have been crucial and have led to significant economic, environmental, and social benefits in communities through the 300+ projects FESBC has funded since its inception in 2016.
“This new funding will allow us to support more forest enhancement projects in the coming years, reinforcing the critical importance of proactive efforts to mitigate wildfire risk and to enhance the utilization of waste wood fibre, which British Columbians are asking for,” said Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC. “We are delighted to support First Nations, communities, workers, wildlife and the environment throughout British Columbia”.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, allowing FESBC to respond swiftly to emerging needs and opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to visit the FESBC website at www.fesbc.ca/applying-for-funding/ to view eligibility criteria and access application guides, the application portal, and register for an online information session hosted at 9am June 25, 2024. A recording of the session will be made available.
“We invite all eligible organizations to take advantage of this funding,” said Kozuki. “By investing today, we are giving the hard-working women and men in the forestry sector the opportunity to do good work in their communities for the benefit of us all. We especially want to encourage innovators, new businesses, and First Nations who want to do great forestry projects to apply.”
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
Quite often, the creation of community fuel breaks to reduce wildfire risks also achieves multiple synergistic benefits such as improved wildlife habitat (more seed and berries that benefits the whole food chain), increased recreational opportunities, greenhouse gas reductions, economic activity, better aesthetic viewscapes, and healthier forests that are more resilient to disease, insects, extreme weather, and future climate change.
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is delighted to have a number of FESBC-funded project partners featured in the latest issue of Canadian Forest Industries (CFI) Magazine profiling their work to reduce the risk of wildfires to communities across British Columbia.
FESBC has funded wildfire risk reduction projects in over 120 communities across British Columbia, including Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. and the Logan Lake Community Forest. Local people have been empowered to do good forest management work to help better protect their communities from wildfire. Similarly, learn how the Clinton Community Forest utilized funding from FESBC to salvage burnt wood, using the hog fuel to generate green energy while also creating a fuel break – a large area where woody fuels have been reduced – to slow down future fires and create defensible spaces for fire fighters.
Kamloops, B.C. –The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) congratulates Senior Manager Gord Pratt on his retirement after a distinguished career with the organization and within the forestry sector. His departure is a moment of both reflection and celebration, as his contributions have significantly helped to shape FESBC’s successes to date.
Pratt has been a cornerstone of FESBC, dedicating over seven years to carrying out the organization’s purposes to advance forest enhancement activities and to advocate for the environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia’s forests.
Gord Pratt. Photo credit: Tiffany Christianson.
“When I first considered the opportunity to work at FESBC, I was excited about the possibility of working for a Society that had such strong purposes in its constitution,” shared Pratt. “Being able to continue the work to fund projects that reduce wildfire risk for the people of British Columbia was a big draw for me, as it allowed me to continue the work I started with the Kamloops Fire Centre as the Fuel Management Specialist.”
Joining FESBC in April 2017, Pratt quickly realized that he was not only part of an organization that could make a difference but was a part of an incredible team who were helping to build the new organization that would make that difference.
With the guidance of a strong and connected Board of Directors, the FESBC team began to develop processes to create funding programs that would result in local people in their communities doing good forest management work, ultimately benefitting communities throughout British Columbia.
“Working with FESBC has been an incredible journey. I am grateful to all the people I had the pleasure to work with over my 43 years in the sector, especially the last seven at FESBC,” shared Pratt. “Our delivery partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and all our project proponents have been crucial to our collective success. None of the work FESBC has funded could have been done without the strong commitment to good forest management and the willing partners doing the hard work on the ground. I also appreciate the guidance and trust from our Board, which allowed me to contribute significantly to FESBC’s success.”
Reflecting on his time with FESBC, one of his proudest accomplishments has been his growth as a forester, recognizing that good forest management balances complex objectives for the lasting benefit of the environment, wildlife, forest health, and communities.
“With direction from the Board, we delivered projects that met all five of our primary purposes, finding a balance between project costs and multiple outcomes,” Pratt explained. “Based on my own beliefs and by incorporating learnings from the many First Nations people I have had the privilege to meet and work with, I learned that good forest management includes taking care of our forests for the future. By doing so, we will be able to have astounding forests that are more fire resilient, better for wildlife, and optimize the use of fibre to support our forest sector across the province.”
Pratt proudly shared that he was honoured to be one of the founding members of the BC FireSmart Committee, established in 2017.
“I was first exposed to FireSmart in 2009 and at that time, it was considered a good idea but not high on anyone’s list of priorities. Today, FireSmart is a part of many people’s lives. I could not be more proud to have been part of the team that elevated this initiative, fostering a more wildfire-resilient province where everyone lives, works, and plays FireSmart.”
Steve Kozuki, Executive Director of FESBC, praised Pratt’s invaluable contributions, stating, “Gord’s impact on FESBC cannot be overstated. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in carrying out projects that have helped strengthen forest health and ecosystems amid climate change and worsening wildfire seasons. He has always been a guiding force, helping to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. His dedication to forest enhancement and community well-being has set a high standard for us all.”
Under Pratt’s leadership role, FESBC has helped leave a lasting, positive legacy for many communities.
“As I transition into retirement, I believe the future of FESBC is strong” shared Pratt. “It is crucial to see that continued support for FESBC to ensure good forest management continues for the benefits of generations, well into the future.”
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
We are thrilled to announce that the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) recently won a Gold Hermes Creative Award in the Strategic Campaigns category for communications. This recognition celebrates the success of our communications for last year’s announcement on the 42 newly funded forest enhancement projects. The initiative effectively communicated to a wide audience that FESBC fulfilled Premier David Eby’s directive to assist B.C.’s forest sector.
“We are immensely honoured to receive this award, which recognizes the creative talent and capability of our team,” said Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC. “The award highlights our commitment to effective strategic communications to drive awareness, engagement, and support for forest enhancement initiatives.”
The Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals that recognizes outstanding work in the industry of communication professionals. FESBC’s win in the Strategic Campaigns category highlights the organization’s innovative and impactful approach to effectively communicating.
The campaign was launched with a press event in Kamloops, B.C. back in September 2023. Project partners, local leaders, and government representatives were invited. The rollout of the communication campaign shared the news of the 42 newly funded projects in an easy-to-understand and impactful manner that promoted collaboration and showcased the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the projects, including the utilization of waste wood for green energy generation and the mitigation of wildfire risks.
The communications initiative was a success, with forestry associations, publications, and industry partners sharing news through their communications channels and networks, generating a total of 77 stories shared locally, provincially, and nationally.
“Our goal was to ensure local, provincial and national media would highlight funded partners and their projects, informing people how forestry and those within the sector were taking action on climate change, reducing the risks of catastrophic wildfires to communities, while emphasizing collaboration with First Nations, and informing people of the work being done to ensure low-value fibre was being utilized instead of burned,” explained Kozuki. “The FESBC approach to effective communications is to help real people tell their authentic stories in a compelling manner. This award validates our efforts and inspires us to continue advocating for sustainable forestry practices and community engagement.”
For more information on the projects FESBC supports, please visit: www.fesbc.ca
Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. has just released a video on their Pressy Lake pilot project featuring the Forest Enhancement Society of BC’s (FESBC) Executive Director, Steve Kozuki.
The video, titled “Trying Something New”, highlights the ongoing efforts of the pilot project, funded by FESBC, to rehabilitate areas severely affected by the 2017 Elephant Hill wildfire.
Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC is “thrilled that CCR adopted a fire-damaged uneconomic forest abandoned by the forest industry. CCR will help turn biomass into green energy and sustainable forest products and replant a new forest to accelerate ecological recovery and reduce greenhouse gases. It truly represents our commitment to sustainable forestry practices and showcases how we can turn challenges into opportunities.”
Watch the full video here:
This video is followed by a second one, titled “What We Learned”, that speaks to the successes and learnings from the project and what the next steps would look like.
According to CCR, the release of a third video in early June will document tree planting with funding support from Natural Resources Canada, giving viewers an inside look into the efforts to reforest the area and showcasing the practical steps being taken to ensure the rehabilitation of the land.
Port McNeill, Alert Bay and Surrounding Communities, B.C. – Atli Resources LP, a ‘Namgis First Nation-owned company, in collaboration with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), is celebrating an important milestone in sustainable forestry practices with the successful recovery of 35,000 cubic meters of fibre—equivalent to approximately 700 truck loads. This achievement has been made possible through the crucial support and funding provided by FESBC, highlighting the impactful role FESBC plays in supporting projects that lead to substantial environmental benefits and community development.
Row 1 (L to R): Loaded barge heading out from Atli Resources LP; Roadside pile burning undertaken by the crew, Row 2 (L to R): Transporting logs; Atli Resources LP chip plant. Photos credit: Atli Resources LP.
As a part of the projects funded by FESBC, waste fibre is being collected and chipped at the Atli Chip facility at Beaver Cove. The fibre comes from areas outside the economic radius of the plant, including areas near Holberg, Port Alice, Woss, and Port McNeill. The chipped fibre is then transported to support the operations of Paper Excellence’s pulp mills in Howe Sound and Crofton.
Chief Victor Isaac of the ‘Namgis First Nation 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 two projects on North Vancouver Island, supported through FESBC funding, are confronting the logistical and operational challenges in salvaging and transporting fibre, particularly from remote or hard-to-reach areas and are successfully managing to transport the waste fibre instead of piling and burning it.
“Forests are at the heart of our identity in B.C., and we are all responsible for ensuring their future,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “As we work to support a strong and sustainable forest sector, FESBC has played a pivotal role in helping get more fibre that would have previously gone to waste into the hands of mills across B.C. to be processed into usable products. These initiatives help get more value out of every tree and lower greenhouse gas emissions, all while supporting the hard-working people and businesses that make up our forestry sector.”
Confirming Minister Ralston’s remarks, the project is already showcasing the tangible outcomes of such initiatives. This project effectively recovered 35,000 cubic meters of waste fibre (equivalent to 15,493 CO2 emissions if burned, further equivalent to 3,300 cars off the road for a year), including low-value logs and short pieces of wood typically left to pile and burn or rot. This reduces potential wildfire fuel and significantly cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, plus smoke and ash.
Doug Mosher, CEO of Atli Resources, said, “The involvement, advice, assistance, and funding from FESBC has made an incredible contribution to the fibre supply for the chip plant. With FESBC funding, Atli Resources and its contractor have been able to salvage fibre that otherwise would be well beyond the chip plant’s economic range to transport it economically. This also has enhanced primary and secondary employment and other benefits to the environment and local economy.”
The benefits, as Mosher notes, extend beyond the immediate environmental impact. The operation of the chip plant and related salvaging activities has created 25 to 30 full-time ongoing jobs, providing stable employment and boosting the local economy. The influx of workers has led to increased demand for local services such as housing, food, and retail and has prompted contractors to invest in new equipment to handle the increased workload. Moreover, the project has helped more efficient forest regeneration by clearing the way for new seedlings, thus enhancing the sustainability of forest management practices.
Kurt Leroy, operations manager with Estero Peak Contracting Ltd., explained, “The help and the funding from the FESBC program has made it financially viable for Estero Peak Contracting Ltd. to salvage and haul logs from outside the usual Fibre Recovery Zone (distance wise). They have, therefore, been able to provide more jobs for members of the local communities at the north end of Vancouver Island.”
Beyond the multiple benefits this project has provided the ‘Namgis and the community, it has brought together several local companies, creating strong partnerships that boost both the economy and the environment. A critical contributor to the success of the project is Atli Chip LP. Atli Chip is jointly owned by Atli Resources, along with the local logging company Wahkash Contracting Ltd, and Paper Excellence, a pulp and paper company. Estero Peak Contracting Ltd, a local contractor, takes care of fibre salvaging, loading, and hauling the waste wood, and supporters like Western Forest Products and Mosaic Forest Management provide access to cutblocks for salvaging fibre. Paper Excellence purchases the pulp logs for the chip plant from forest licensees and various landowners and then purchases the residual chips and hog fuel (bark and small pieces of wood) from Atli Chip LP. This teamwork shows how working together can lead to major achievements in sustainable forestry.
Chris McGourlick, operations manager with FESBC, said, “Atli Chip LP is an excellent example of a First Nations-led partnership achieving multiple environmental, social and economic benefits. Removingresidual fibre and the corresponding reduction in burning activities contributes to a healthier local environment and additional economic activities. As we see harvest levels decrease across the province, partnerships like this are critical to providing stability to communities and local economies. The leadership that the Namgis are showing through Atli Resources and Atli Chip is highlighting ways to move forward as forest stewardship evolves in the province. FESBC is proud to partner with them as they work to improve the utilization of our forest resources.”
Looking ahead, Atli Resources remains committed to expanding its environmental and economic impacts through sustainable forestry practices. The company continuously seeks available fibre for chipping and plans to increase the operational capacity of the chip plant to double shifts whenever sufficient fibre is available. This will maximize productivity and the project’s environmental benefits.
According to Mosher, the waste wood salvaging projects are also set to continue, especially for the long-distance areas outside of the Ministry of Forests-derived Fibre Recovery Zones, relying on the ongoing support from FESBC funding. This sustained effort will ensure that less fibre goes to waste, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better protect communities from wildfire risk.
These comprehensive efforts further showcase the critical role of FESBC-funded projects in preserving the environment and strengthening the economic fabric of communities throughout B.C.
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.
