Omineca Region, B.C. – On April 24, 2025, Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, shared details on newly funded forest enhancement projects throughout the province at the BC First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) Conference in Penticton. The announcement highlighted 64 projects receiving investments from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) for wood waste utilization and wildfire risk reduction, one of which will occur in the Omineca Region.
These newly funded projects represent nearly $20 million in investments, with $400,000 allocated to one project in the Omineca Region that will boost fibre supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing uneconomic wood waste. The project has additional benefits, such as taking action on climate change and enhancing wildlife habitat, and will help create or sustain good, family-supporting jobs.
“We received so many excellent applications from interested parties across the province looking to invest in the future of B.C.’s forests,” shared Jason Fisher, Executive Director of FESBC. “After careful review, we are pleased to be able to support a portfolio of projects that will make forests more resilient and communities safer, while unlocking the value of wood waste generated through forest management activities.”
In total, the wood waste utilization project in the Omineca Region is anticipated to utilize over 15,000 cubic metres of fibre, equivalent to 300+ truckloads, which will enable 6,500 tonnes of avoided emissions (tonnes of CO2e) from utilizing wood waste instead of burning it.
Wood Waste Utilization Project
- Wood Fibre Transport: East Fraser Fiber will receive funding to support the transportation of low-value, beetle-damaged wood fibre from First Nation tenures around the Mackenzie area to a central chipping facility near Williston Lake. The wood chips will later be transported to regional pulp mills.
Of the 64 total new projects to receive investments from FESBC throughout the province, 31 projects are led by Indigenous organizations and an additional 14 projects have significant Indigenous participation.
“The BC First Nations Forestry Council would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Province of BC and FESBC for providing the funding needed to get boots on the ground and support critical work. Mitigating wildfire risk and creating a more fire-ready landscape is essential,” said Lennard Joe, CEO, BC First Nations Forestry Council. “I am grateful for our First Nations contractors, whose capacity and readiness, position them to lead this important work and help move the province forward in a good way.” To learn more about some of the innovative and collaborative projects invested in by FESBC that have been led by local project proponents throughout the province, you are invited to take a look at the Spring 2025 Accomplishments Update.
For an interview with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, communications@fesbc.ca | 250.574.0221
ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director, BC Community Forest Association: “FESBC has played a vital role in supporting community forests across the province to complete work that prioritizes local values, including wildfire risk reduction, utilizing wood waste, and enhancing forest resiliency in rural areas. By partnering with local stakeholders such as community forest managers, they help ensure that their initiatives align with the unique needs and priorities of each community. This collaborative approach not only promotes sustainable forest management but also creates important economic and social opportunities.”
Gord Chipman, Executive Director, Woodlots BC: “Every year, between 5,000 to 10,000 hectares of woodlots are impacted by wildfire. 20% of woodlots are located in a Wildland Urban Interface and have a high or extreme wildfire risk. With FESBC’s investments for new wildfire risk reduction projects, woodlots will have the opportunity to be proactive and take greater strategic action to better protect communities and people. These projects will be innovative and evolve with the involvement of BC Wildfire Service and local Forest Districts.”
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.