Steve Kozuki

September 18, 2024September 18, 2024

British Columbia’s Transition to Modern, Climate-Smart Forestry

Original article: Policy Magazine, September 2024

The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) was established by the Province of British Columbia (B.C.) as a crown service delivery agency to create lasting benefits to the province’s environment, wildlife, forest health, and communities. Over 300 FESBC-funded projects have advanced transformation in B.C.’s forest sector considerably by supporting modern, sustainable forestry practices as proposed by locals who live, work and play in its forests:

Indigenous engagement: FESBC has increased Indigenous Peoples’ participation and leadership within the forest economy, creating a shift toward more inclusive economic practices.
Climate action: The Society has enabled local people to take actions which have resulted in a cumulative net greenhouse-gas benefit equivalent to removing more than one million cars from the road for a year.
Wildfire risk reduction: More than 120 communities have seen reduced wildfire risks through FESBC-funded projects, enhancing community safety while at the same time creating numerous co-benefits.
Ecological recovery: FESBC has accelerated ecological recovery in areas devastated by beetle epidemics and wildfires.
Wildlife habitat enhancement: The Society has improved wildlife habitats for an array of species.
Community stability: The Society has created sustainable jobs in forest-dependent communities and throughout the supply chain.

FESBC’s approach involves collaborating and partnering with a wide array of organizations, including Indigenous Peoples, community forestry groups, grassroots community associations, municipalities, regional districts, woodlots, the provincial Ministry of Forests and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, contractors, forest consultants, and forest companies large and small. These collaborations have not only been a catalyst for different groups to work together for the first time, but they have also provided a platform to forge stronger, deeper partnerships leading to innovative solutions.

Fostering Transformation in Forestry

Since its establishment in 2016, FESBC has advanced an ambitious vision: to enhance forest resilience to wildfire and climate change for the lasting benefit of British Columbia’s environment, wildlife, forest health, and communities. FESBC has created permanent shifts contributing to the transition of B.C. to a modern era for forestry. Recognizing that forests contribute significantly to the well-being of wildlife, people, and broader environmental health, FESBC-funded projects have demonstrated that it is not only possible but desirable that forestry projects achieve multiple objectives at the same time with the same funding. Well-designed projects synergistically and simultaneously achieve social, environmental, and economic benefits.

Achievements and Impact

FESBC’s initiatives have led to significant, lasting transformations:

Utilization of low-quality wood fibre: Transitioning from burning to utilizing waste wood (left over from normal harvesting or other forest operations), FESBC has improved the economic and environmental viability of low-quality wood fibre. This shift required overcoming substantial economic barriers, fostering partnerships, and investing in proper equipment, ultimately reducing greenhouse gasses, expanding the bioeconomy and creating benefits for local communities.
Restoration of natural forest conditions: To address forest overgrowth due to historical wildfire suppression, communities — with support from FESBC — are taking steps to restore natural ecosystem functions. These include reducing wildfire risks, improving wildlife habitats and enhancing the health of forests, making them more resilient against diseases, pests, and climate impacts. While there will still be forest fires, as nature intended, the lower intensity of fires in treated zones near communities will help restore natural ecological functions and wildlife habitat.
Empowerment of Indigenous communities: FESBC has significantly enabled Indigenous Peoples to lead forestry projects, blending traditional knowledge with modern forestry practices. A notable example is a tree thinning and fertilization project with the Williams Lake First Nation that not only aims to increase timber supply but also to enhance food resources such as berry production.

Since its inception, FESBC has encouraged local communities to propose projects that reflect their specific needs, leading to innovative solutions that address environmental challenges while supporting economic development.

Forestry and Reconciliation

Over 30% of FESBC projects are led by Indigenous groups, enhancing reconciliation efforts and community empowerment. FESBC funding has greatly enabled Indigenous Peoples to participate more fully in the forest economy and the bioeconomy in B.C. In one project, two Nations melded their multi-generational caretaker cultural perspective with cutting-edge LIDAR and GPS-guided industrial drones to plant tree seeds in the aftermath of a mega-fire.

Today, as witnessed in many such FESBC-funded projects, First Nations are moving up the ladder and becoming leaders in forest management. They are becoming decision-makers about how, when, and in what manner their projects on the land are conducted. This approach has fostered mutual respect and understanding among Indigenous groups and other community stakeholders. In a small but important way, FESBC’s funding of projects led by First Nations helps contribute to reconciliation.

Growing the Bioeconomy and Reducing GHGs

FESBC has played a pivotal role in advancing the bioeconomy by utilizing forest residuals (logging waste) for energy production and other bio-products, which helps mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions. The transition from waste burning to biomass utilization is a win/win solution for the environment and the economy – something the province’s Clean BC Plan strives for. This action on climate change contributes significantly to Canada’s international commitments to reduce greenhouse gases.

Many FESBC-funded projects turn woody logging waste into green energy or useful forest products such as wood pellets. Logging waste is uneconomical — high cost, low value — and would otherwise be burned in slash piles. Not burning these piles results in less smoke in the air and a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (as verified by modelling in accordance with international carbon accounting standards). However, using waste wood from forests could be considered economical if benchmarked against carbon taxes of $65/tonne CO2e.

Historically, sawmills supplied waste fibre to industries like pulp mills, pellet plants, and bio-electricity generators in B.C. However, in recent years with many sawmills shutting down, there has been a shift toward utilizing more forest-derived waste fibre (waste wood from harvesting). This transition has seen new partnerships formed to adopt innovative practices. A notable example involves the Simpcw First Nation, which contributes wood from their logging activities that would otherwise be discarded. This wood is processed by Arrow Transportation Systems at their River City chip facility, where they also innovated processes for using fire-damaged trees for pulp chips. Subsequently, the Kruger pulp mill uses these materials to produce sustainable building products like cement board siding and to generate green energy, enough to supply about 60% of the city of Kamloops’ electricity needs.

Factors of B.C.’s Success

A community-driven and inclusive approach: FESBC empowers local and Indigenous communities to define and drive projects based on their unique insights and priorities, ensuring relevance and impact. Inclusiveness is enhanced by requiring no proponent cost contributions, making programs accessible regardless of financial resources.

Innovation and flexibility: By supporting a diverse range of projects, including those that try new practices and technologies, and by encouraging new entrants without previous experience, FESBC fosters innovation and welcomes new entrants to the forestry sector.

Strategic partnerships and synergies: FESBC builds strong, cross-sector relationships that enhance project effectiveness and create synergies, facilitating collaborative and transformative outcomes.

Supportive and accessible funding: FESBC removes barriers to funding, actively coaching applicants and strategically allocating funds to maximize the achievement of multiple benefits.

Operational excellence: With the lowest administration costs among comparable programs, FESBC delivers excellent value for the money.

Communication leadership: FESBC provides communication leadership to project proponents, equipping them with the tools and strategies necessary to help them tell their stories to their communities. This effort helps build a broader understanding and acceptance of forestry initiatives, building social license and engaging the community at a grassroots level.

Commitment to long-term, transformational impact: FESBC prioritizes projects that drive significant, long-term benefits, aiming to foster sector-wide changes that contribute to ecological sustainability, economic stability, and community resilience. FESBC focuses on projects that promise lasting benefits and structural shifts within the forestry sector. These carefully selected initiatives not only support immediate economic needs but also ensure long-term sustainability and increased First Nations participation in the forest economy.

FESBC’s approach is a case study of how careful and thoughtful targeted investments in forestry can result in transformative and lasting benefits. B.C. is striving to be a leader in climate-smart forestry practices that can serve as an inspiration for other jurisdictions in Canada and beyond.

To learn more about FESBC’s projects, visit www.fesbc.ca or contact FESBC staff for more detailed information on how you can get involved or learn more from these initiatives.

February 15, 2024February 15, 2024

Executive Director’s Newsletter February 2024

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.

Read this month’s Executive Director’s Newsletter.

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Find out more about the 42 Newly Funded Projects announcement through this video

December 5, 2023November 30, 2023

How the Province’s Largest Community Forest is Building Community Resilience to Wildfire in Rural B.C.

Fort Nelson, B.C. – In a bid to safeguard their community from the escalating threat of wildfires, British Columbia’s largest community forest is proactively undertaking wildfire risk reduction work with support from Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) funding. The Fort Nelson Community Forest Fuel Treatment Project, set against the backdrop of remote wilderness, is a testament to the power of collaboration and determination and represents a remarkable opportunity for growth, local capacity building, and economic empowerment.

In a collaborative move, the Fort Nelson Community Forest (FNCF) was formed when the largest community forest license in the province was awarded to the Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) partnership. The partnership between the FNFN and NRRM represents not only the largest community forest license in British Columbia but also yields the most substantial harvestable volume. Considering the remote and expansiveness of the area covered by the license, this means there is a tremendous responsibility for the FNCF, one which they are prepared to undertake.

**Photo:** Past treatment photos from another Fuel Mitigation Project within the Community Forest;
**Photo credits:** Fort Nelson Community Forest.

“The Fort Nelson Community Forest, like others throughout B.C., supports long-term opportunities and contributes to a more diversified forest economy,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “As the keepers of B.C.’s biggest community forest, it’s great to see the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and the Fort Nelson First Nation collaborate on this project to better protect their homes, schools, businesses and the surrounding forests that are the lifeblood of their remote communities.”

The FESBC-funded FNCF Fuel Treatment Project is set to address a 20-hectare expanse of forest, roughly the size of 37 football fields, along the southwest side of the Alaska Highway. By creating a shaded fuel break using mechanical treatments, which means clearing and reducing the growth of plants and trees in the area using machines or equipment, the project aims to slow wildfire spread, enhance suppression efforts and firefighter safety, reduce the risk of a wildfire spreading up into the crown or tops of trees, and maintain vital evacuation routes for public safety, such as Highway 97.

Acknowledging the importance of funding and support, the FNCF highlighted the significance of FESBC funding to help develop their capacity, particularly as they continue to establish themselves.

Katherine Wolfenden, the board chair of the FNFC, said, “Our community forest partnership is excited to have been selected for funding from FESBC. This project will help the local community have more control over where and how firebreaks and selective reduction of high-risk areas occur next to the community. As a new and developing community forest, this project is helping us implement one of our guiding management goals to support and invest in community wildfire prevention initiatives.”

Echoing Wolfenden’s statement, Ben Wall, the general manager of the FNCF, also noted the importance of FESBC funding.

“Adequate funding and support are essential to the success of the community forest. Funding is required to continue the research, planning, and monitoring of the forest, the use of qualified and experienced professionals as well as continuing to promote local engagement. The FESBC funding is of the utmost importance for this project as it will help us develop capacity. With the Fort Nelson Community Forest still working on getting firmly established and viable, help with funding like this is critical,” said Wall.

This project, however, means so much more to the community and the forest than simply reducing wildfire risk. The collaboration between the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Fort Nelson First Nation, and other stakeholders will promote forest sustainability through wildlife habitat preservation, timber harvesting, wildfire mitigation efforts, and recreational opportunities.

FESBC Senior Manager Gord Pratt said, “FESBC is excited to be able to support the Fort Nelson Community Forest early in their existence on such an important project reducing the local wildfire risk to the community, improving wildlife habitat and building local capacity in the forest sector.”

According to Matt Pilszek, RFT, Forestry and Construction Manager with Geoterra, the fuel mitigation project will have wildlife enhancement objectives in mind throughout the treatment, with a specific focus on protecting and enhancing the Boreal caribou ungulate winter range. The fuel mitigation treatment will reduce the accumulation of flammable vegetation and deadwood, which helps reduce the risk of large, destructive wildfires detrimental to wildlife habitat. Preserving the winter range from being impacted by wildfires ensures that caribou and other ungulates have access to the habitat they need during the critical winter months.

“Fuel mitigation through selective thinning of trees can help preserve and restore the natural vegetation and forest structure within the Boreal caribou ungulate winter range. This is important because these animals rely on specific types of vegetation for food and shelter during the winter. Selective thinning techniques can promote the growth of new vegetation in the understory (the layer of vegetation that grows beneath the forest canopy, consisting of smaller plants, shrubs, and young trees) while maintaining habitat connectivity within the landscape,” said Pilszek.

The fuel mitigation project will also support the Fort Nelson community by building local capacity and contributing to the region’s economy through job creation, community involvement, revenue generation, increased resilience to wildfires, and sustainable resource management. The fuel mitigation project will utilize local businesses, including forestry contractors, equipment operators, local First Nations land guardians, and service providers, which will stimulate the local economy and provide more work to these contractors.

“The selective thinning process will provide sustainable forest management to ensure that local forest resources are managed in a way that provides economic benefits while preserving the environment for future generations in Fort Nelson,” said Wall. Prior to the commencement of the fuel mitigation project, the FNCF actively engaged with the local community. They hosted an open house and secured approval from the FNFN through the Land Management Framework, a plan for how to use and take care of the land.

According to Wall and Pilszek, as this project gets underway, the community forest is planning to host another open house to get feedback from the community to understand if there is a desire to expand this type of treatment to other areas around the community.

“Often, the main concern about a project like this is there can be resistance and disagreement with what is being implemented and how it is being done. However, the community forest has engaged with all stakeholders within and around the project in a way that avoids interruptions. The snowmobile club, for example, has been very supportive and flexible in our discussions, and we have worked on a plan to mitigate any impact we might have on their activities. We intend to improve trail access in whatever way we can as we continue to work on this project and others in the future,” added Wall.

The FNCF is working with the local forest industry to grow the forest industry in Fort Nelson. As harvesting activity increases, the FNCF will be better positioned to self-fund projects. For example, the community forest harvested a significant amount of wood in 2021, approximately 30,000 cubic metres of wood, which is roughly equivalent to filling 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. They anticipate harvesting approximately 23,000 cubic metres during the 2023 winter harvest.

In addition to harvesting, the community forest is focused on a comprehensive and holistic land management plan and is working toward reforestation in identified areas.

“Last year, Geoterra supervised the Fort Nelson Community Forest Tree Planting Program, exceeding minimum quality standards by planting 226,440 trees. Planting densities adhered to wildfire guidelines, with 1,600 stems, or trees, per hectare outside the Wildland Urban Interface (a zone where human development and natural landscapes come into contact) and 800 stems per hectare within the Wildland Urban Interface,” said Pilszek.

The community forest recognizes a need to build capacity significantly to maximize the forest value to the partner communities. They are currently developing projects that have a higher percentage of merchantable timber that can be used to offset the costs of the work, and the hope is to be able to self-fund forest management activities from the sale of the lumber and wood fibre to a small local manufacturing entity in the future.

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.