British Columbia – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a Special Report in collaboration with the BC First Nations Forestry Council (Forestry Council), published to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025. The 32-page report, titled ‘Connecting B.C. Forestry’s Indigenous Past to its Indigenous Future’ highlights several Indigenous-led projects throughout the province of British Columbia (B.C.) focused on wildfire risk reduction, fibre utilization, and wildlife habitat enhancement with investments from FESBC to enhance forest health and resilience for generations.
FESBC invited the Forestry Council to collaborate on this special report to share and celebrate the progress being made toward more inclusive, sustainable forest stewardship in B.C. The report features ten projects, led by Indigenous organizations, that have delivered benefits to communities, the economy, and the environment, plus special features on the work of Indigenous youth at the heart of wildfire resilience, unlocking the value of forests through fibre utilization, and more.
“The stories highlighted in this Special Report show the power of connection to drive innovation, improve stewardship, and support reconciliation,” shared Jason Fisher, Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and Executive Director of FESBC. “They centre on the work of Indigenous people engaged in the continual care of their traditional and ancestral territories, in modern ways that link the wellbeing of people to the wellbeing of the environment.”
Photo: (Right): Atli Chip Barge. Photo Credit: Warren Roberts (Wahkash Contracting Co-owner), Manager of Atli Chip plant. (Left): Chief Forester Jeff Mosher, RPF, enlarging the cavity of a cedar stump for a bear den. Photo Credit: Taan Forest.
Readers will learn how Indigenous-led forestry projects emphasize the importance of treating forests with care and respect while balancing the need to reduce wildfire risk to communities, create family-supporting jobs, address climate change through nature-based solutions, and rehabilitate forests for future generations. It’s the interconnectedness highlighted in the report that brings a lot of pride to leaders like Lennard Joe, CEO of the Forestry Council.
“Like this report, many of the forest enhancement projects included in it are collaborations between people and groups with different backgrounds who are connected by a common purpose: to make the most of what we take from the forest landscape and give back by investing in the long-term resilience of B.C.’s forests,” shared Joe.
A hard copy of the Special Report will be shared with forestry professionals and FESBC project partners, and a digital copy is available online at www.fesbc.ca, which has received much appreciation from B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar.
“First Nations have shown that sustainable forest stewardship can benefit the environment, people and communities, as well as the economy,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “These stories demonstrate the leadership of First Nations communities in shaping the future of forestry in B.C. and reflect what is possible when traditional knowledge is combined with modern practices to strengthen forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and create good jobs. Thank you to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and the BC First Nations Forestry Council for this important collaboration.”
Moving forward, Fisher is excited about the impact new forestry projects with funding investments from FESBC will have, including other projects that have received additional funding to expand their work.
“The featured stories represent a small sample of the incredible work happening across the province. While FESBC has funded over 400 projects since 2016, this report is a chance to highlight and honour the leadership and effort of Indigenous communities who are making a lasting impact on our forest,” added Fisher. “We know there is more work to do – and we are proud to tell the stories of the people who are doing that work now.”
For an interview with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison Direct: 250 574 0221 | communications@fesbc.ca
About FESBC: the purposes of FESBC are to advance environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’s forests by – preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires; improving damaged or low-value forests; improving habitat for wildlife; supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low-value forests; and treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases. FESBC has been granted millions of dollars in funding from the government of B.C. to support hundreds of projects, to date, throughout the province.
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About the Forestry Council: The BC First Nations Forestry Council is a non-profit organization which supports and provides services to First Nations in their efforts to increase their participation and leadership within British Columbia’s Forest sector.
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FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.