The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is funding 61 projects in communities throughout the province in 2023 that include 19 projects, announced November 30, which are supported by funding from the Province of British Columbia. These projects will reduce wildfire risk, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide recovered fibre to mills and bioenergy facilities.
“Improving utilization of wood fibre is a win for people and our forests,” emphasizes Gordon Murray, Executive Director, Wood Pellet Association of Canada. “These projects support the conversion of what was once considered waste into wood pellets, creating jobs, heating and powering Canadian homes and businesses, reducing wildfire risk, and contributing to global climate goals by displacing fossil fuels and advancing new technologies like bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.”
Wood pellets play a key role in helping communities create robust, sustainable economies while addressing the challenges of balancing economic development with conservation and community values, with safety at the forefront.
FESBC supported projects are often aimed at helping communities remove excess fibre from forests for two reasons. It reduces fuel for potential wildfires and helps provide the raw materials needed to make bio-products and bioenergy. Given that most of the recovered fibre would otherwise be burned in slash piles (waste from forestry activity), FESBC projects are also helping BC reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
By maximizing the value of every tree harvested, Canadian wood pellet manufacturers are supporting the sustainable use of our forest resources as well as maximizing jobs and opportunities in communities across the country.
At the announcement in Victoria, Minister of Forests, Bruce Ralston, added, “Through a $50 million grant this year from the province, FESBC and their project partners are making significant progress to enhance forest resiliency to wildfire and climate change for the lasting benefit of British Columbians.”