forestry

The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. The British Columbia government says it is finalizing plans with First Nations that have indicated support for plans to defer logging in certain old-growth forests, while it continues talks with nations that need more time to decide.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. hears from 161 First Nations on plans for old-growth logging deferrals

Nearly three-quarters of those responding indicated they need more time

The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. The British Columbia government says it is finalizing plans with First Nations that have indicated support for plans to defer logging in certain old-growth forests, while it continues talks with nations that need more time to decide.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Brad Cyr is a third-generation logger from Port Hardy who began working a union job as a grapple yarder in Port Alberni in December. He brought his concerns and a freshly cut slice from a stump to the ‘Stand Up for Forestry’ rally on Johnston Road Dec. 9, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

B.C. loggers rally to protest government deferral plan for old-growth logging

Forestry workers, families mass in Port Alberni to speak out about move’s far-reaching effects

Brad Cyr is a third-generation logger from Port Hardy who began working a union job as a grapple yarder in Port Alberni in December. He brought his concerns and a freshly cut slice from a stump to the ‘Stand Up for Forestry’ rally on Johnston Road Dec. 9, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Elders for Ancient Forests along with people declaring themselves “land defenders” take part in a peace circle along a logging road in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Elders for old growth arrested as Fairy Creek blockade readies for winter

As cold weather arrives, the number of people in the two remaining camps has dwindled

Elders for Ancient Forests along with people declaring themselves “land defenders” take part in a peace circle along a logging road in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Dr. Rachel Holt at a Dec. 1 video press conference on old growth forests held by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Photo: Video screenshot, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs

Nelson ecologist questions B.C.’s roll-out of old growth strategy

Rachel Holt was part of a technical panel that mapped old growth

Dr. Rachel Holt at a Dec. 1 video press conference on old growth forests held by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Photo: Video screenshot, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, was among those speaking against provincial policy on old growth forests at a press conference Dec. 1. (Canadian Press photo)

B.C. government falling short with old-growth forest protection, say Indigenous leaders

30-day limit to respond to old growth deferral inadequate, says grand chief and union

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, was among those speaking against provincial policy on old growth forests at a press conference Dec. 1. (Canadian Press photo)
Postcard image of Powell River B.C. from the 1960s, when it was one of the world’s largest newsprint producers. (Wikimedia Commons)

Owners look for new industrial opportunities at B.C. paper mill site

Powell River mill shutting down indefinitely after 109 years

Postcard image of Powell River B.C. from the 1960s, when it was one of the world’s largest newsprint producers. (Wikimedia Commons)
Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel will be shut down for the next 16 days due to a lack of pulp supply. (West Fraser Photo)

Quesnel pulp mill to shut down due to flooding and transportation issues

Around 220 employees have been temporarily laid off at two West Fraser pulp mills

Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel will be shut down for the next 16 days due to a lack of pulp supply. (West Fraser Photo)
A ceremony marking the transfer of forest tenure from Interfor to the Simpcw First Nation was held on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Pictured, left to right, are Interfor chief forester Stuart Card, Simpcw First Nation Councillor Ron Lampeau Jr., Interfor woodlands manager Erik Kok, Chief Shelley Loring and Couns. Tina Donald and Allison Green. (Contributed)

B.C. First Nation takes over forest tenure in ‘landmark agreement’ with Interfor

Simpcw First Nation given forest tenure under two licences in Kamloops timber supply area

A ceremony marking the transfer of forest tenure from Interfor to the Simpcw First Nation was held on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Pictured, left to right, are Interfor chief forester Stuart Card, Simpcw First Nation Councillor Ron Lampeau Jr., Interfor woodlands manager Erik Kok, Chief Shelley Loring and Couns. Tina Donald and Allison Green. (Contributed)
B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy is leading an overhaul of the B.C.’s Crown forest management. (Hansard TV)

B.C.’s sweeping forest changes pushed through over MLA objections

Business leaders protest potential mill, value added job losses

B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy is leading an overhaul of the B.C.’s Crown forest management. (Hansard TV)
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Quesnel Observer.

FOREST INK: Grassroots involvement in communities can bring needed changes

Jim Hilton pens a column for the Quesnel Cariboo Observer on Forestry each week

  • Nov 18, 2021
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Quesnel Observer.
B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks by video link to the annual Council of Forest Industries convention, April 8, 2021. (COFI video)

Timber buy-back, redistribution in latest B.C. forest overhaul

New rules to audit, enforce payment for log exports

B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks by video link to the annual Council of Forest Industries convention, April 8, 2021. (COFI video)
Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut from a cut block near the Òheli campÓ in Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. forest company says rule of law must apply to ongoing protests at Fairy Creek

Teal Cedar Products seeking to extend injunction against blockades through court appeal

Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut from a cut block near the Òheli campÓ in Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Truck leaves log sort on the Fraser River at Maple Ridge B.C. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

U.S. softwood ruling, old-growth plan add uncertainty to B.C. lumber trade

Canfor, West Fraser get more time to argue against border duties

Truck leaves log sort on the Fraser River at Maple Ridge B.C. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. on October 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Indigenous leaders concerned over B.C.’s process for old-growth logging deferrals

A 30-day time frame for such complex analysis called ‘totally unreasonable’

The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. on October 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. forests ministry map shows priority areas for harvest deferrals across the province. (B.C. government)

Two-year target set to finalize B.C.’s old-growth protection plan

Indigenous communities may decide on selective logging

B.C. forests ministry map shows priority areas for harvest deferrals across the province. (B.C. government)
Logging equipment waits for auction on Vancouver Island, 2009. The B.C. industry has seen a series of downturns in recent years. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

B.C. old-growth protection will hit hard, industry group says

B.C. Greens, environmentalists say changes overdue

Logging equipment waits for auction on Vancouver Island, 2009. The B.C. industry has seen a series of downturns in recent years. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy defends her latest plan to defer logging in more areas of the province in the legislature, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hansard TV)

B.C. pauses logging on up to 2.6M hectares of old-growth forest

Timber sales to stop while Indigenous title holders consulted

B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy defends her latest plan to defer logging in more areas of the province in the legislature, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hansard TV)
Fresh sawdust is seen from a tree cut near near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Long-awaited logging report to shape response to B.C.’s war in the woods

B.C. government to discuss old-growth logging with release of advisory panel report

Fresh sawdust is seen from a tree cut near near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A protest flotilla gathers in the waters off 1 Port Dr. in Nanaimo, speaking against exporting of raw logs from Canada. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

B.C. environmental activists form flotilla in protest of raw log exports

Extinction Rebellion Nanaimo and others warn of exporting of raw logs, climate crisis

A protest flotilla gathers in the waters off 1 Port Dr. in Nanaimo, speaking against exporting of raw logs from Canada. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Each year, less than one per cent of the area designated for sustainable timber harvesting by B.C.’s independent chief forester is harvested. (B.C. government photo)

Modernizing B.C. forests starts with up-to-date facts, industry says

30% of old forests on high-productivity sites, 75% off limits

Each year, less than one per cent of the area designated for sustainable timber harvesting by B.C.’s independent chief forester is harvested. (B.C. government photo)
Pop-up banner image