At a recent press event held at River City Fibre in Kamloops, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)unveiled a major milestone, announcing 42 newly funded forest enhancement projects across the province. Theseinitiatives are designed to either facilitate the transport of uneconomic forest fibre to pulp and pellet mills or green energy facilities, or to aid communities in mitigating wildfire risks. Among the highlights of the event was the introduction of the Simpcw First Nation Pulp Log Utilization project, a collaborative endeavor led by River City Fibre LP, a partnership between Simpcw First Nation and Arrow Transportation Systems Inc.
The funding allocation for these projects was made possible by the $50 million grant awarded to FESBC earlier this year by the Ministry of Forests, with the dual aim of enhancing fibre supply through the utilization of uneconomic fibre, and reducing wildfire risks while supporting local workers and communities.
Honorable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, emphasized the challenges faced by our forests in recent years.”Devastating wildfires, pine beetle epidemics, and the impacts of climate change have placed unprecedented stresson our environment, directly affecting rural and First Nations communities. By leveraging burned or damaged wood, projects across B.C. are bolstering the forest industry with essential fibre and actively bolstering our resilience to future wildfires.”
The collaboration between Kruger, Simpcw, and Arrow stands as a testament to the transformative power of partnerships. Such collaborations are instrumental in driving industry evolution. Kevin Gayfer added, “Often,funding is required to bridge the financial gap of learning new practices until efficiencies can be developed. FESBC and the Ministry of Forest have been excellent partners in getting these projects off the ground.”
This project’s impact is far-reaching, with approximately 20 full-time-equivalent jobs created, providing a vital boost to local economies. Moreover, it contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gases and improved air quality,aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Glenn Foss, Forestry Manager with the Simpcw Resources Group, underscored the project’s multifaceted benefits,particularly its impact on wildfire risk reduction. “Beyond fibre utilization, our project’s true impact lies in reducing the wildfire risk. We’re not just cleaning up post-harvest fuel; we’re better safeguarding our communities and natural landscapes.”
The broader array of FESBC-funded projects exemplifies the collective effort to revolutionize our relationship with the forest. These initiatives leverage waste wood to generate green energy and sustainable products, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and plastics that have long dominated our everyday lives.
Full video on this project click here!
