B.C. is striving to be a leader in climate-smart forestry practices, writes FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki (R)/Tiffany Christianson Photography

By Steve Kozuki

September 16, 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.

Steve Kozuki is Executive Director for the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C.