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.