In today’s environment, the bioenergy, bioproduct, and agriculture sectors all require a reliable and creative fibre supply. The forest sector in B.C. is characterized by annual allowable cut reductions and mill closures primarily due to the effects of the mountain pine beetle and spruce beetle infestations, wildfires, and a reduced land base for timber harvesting. Stuwix Resources Joint Venture (Stuwix), a First Nations-owned and operated fibre management company, is rising to the challenge through an innovative bush grinding program that optimizes forest fibre delivery and use.
Stuwix is operated by a management committee made up of representatives from eight First Nations Bands located in the southern interior of British Columbia: the Lower Nicola, Coldwater, Nooaitch, Shacken, Upper Nicola, Cook’s Ferry, Siska, and Upper Similkameen Indian Bands. With a vision to promote both healthy ecosystems and healthy independent communities, the company integrates Indigenous practices into forest management at every level.
Grinding operation process during a project in the Tulameen area. Photo Credit: Kate Colman, Director of Marketing, Klassen Group
With support from FESBC, Stuwix and the Klassen Group partnered in 2021 to find a solution to utilize 80,000 cubic meters of fibre annually by grinding it – fibre that would normally go up in smoke.
“FESBC funding has allowed us to reach out into areas to grind that we normally couldn’t service, thus providing faith to the licensees that we will get the job done,” said Derek Mobbs, Value Stream Leader, Fibre, Klassen Group.
The program aligns with Stuwix’s core values: full utilization of the forest, reduce open burning and improve stewardship of the land. Over the years, the teams have improved their efficiency, in part due to enhanced road infrastructure and logging standards made possible through collaboration with the licensee’s planning department, which can now more readily rely on these fibre recovery services.
As a result of this work, Stuwix’s members and shareholders benefit from reduced slash burning, lower carbon emissions, and meaningful job creation. The program directly employs twelve local workers, with many more supported through indirect employment.
Together, Stuwix and the Klassen Group are creating a win-win solution that benefits both the environment and the economy, and their partnership supports responsible forest stewardship, effective fibre utilization, and sustainable employment opportunities within the Timber Supply Area.
To learn more about Indigenous-led projects throughout British Columbia, read the full Special Report released by FESBC, in collaboration with the BC First Nations Forestry Council.