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SFU student conducts research about non-timber forest resources in Wells Gray Community Forest

Wells Gray Community Forest (WGCF) is working with Simon Fraser University student Samantha Charlton this summer on her research related to non-timber forest resources (NTFRs)
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SFU student Samantha Charlton is researching non-timber forest resources for Wells Gray Community Forest.

Wells Gray Community Forest (WGCF) is working with Simon Fraser University student Samantha Charlton this summer on her research related to non-timber forest resources (NTFRs).  Along with the WGCF, she is also collaborating with Simpcw First Nation on her research project.

Non-timber forest resources include all types of resources and products made from the forest apart from timber resources (logs and pulp).  This could entail things like mushrooms, medicinal plants, evergreen boughs, berries, edible plants, wood galls and plants with other cultural or spiritual significance.

Charlton's research originated from connections made between her research supervisor and WGCF board members Sharon Neufeld and Fred Fortier (who is also a Simpcw councilor).  Neufeld’s interest and expertise in NTFRs along with Fortier’s interest in NTFRs and Intellectual Property Rights made Wells Gray Community Forest, which is within Simpcw traditional territory, the perfect setting for her study. The research explores opportunities to incorporate the sustainable use of NTFRs in forest management practices. With appropriate management, NTFRs may provide an excellent opportunity for Community Forests to generate revenue from value-added forest products.

The NFTR sector is rapidly growing and by 2003 was valued at $500 million per year in Canada.  About half of this value, $250 million, is from NTFRs in British Columbia. Despite growing interest in NTFRs, there is little or no information on the ecological and biological impacts that stem from increased harvest, and how it poses a threat to the sustainability of some of these plants.

The goals of this research are to explore management options that optimize the production of both timber and non-timber resources, along with management arrangements which respectfully include the values and objectives of First Nations in community forests. The research strives to contribute to identifying ethical ways of managing and harvesting traditional plants and how communities can economically benefit from forests in a sustainable way.

For more information on this study, please contact Samantha Charlton at rcharlto@sfu.ca or at the Community Resource Centre 250-674-3530.

– submitted by Wells Gray Community Forest