by Corrine Tessier
Thanks to participation from woodlot owners, community forests, loggers and small wood manufacturers, valuable information about the current situation for small operators in the Kootenay Boundary is now available. We encourage you to read the May 2022 research report ‘Small Forest Tenure Capacity Building in the Kootenay Boundary’, which can be found on the FBCWA website: www.woodlot.bc.ca.
The report covers existing production, markets and pricing, potential timber volume, harvesting capability, employment opportunities, barriers and limitations to growth and expansion, and recommendations. A number of opportunities for strengthening capacity are emerging from the research, such as a log & information exchange, equipment training, support for business expansion, cooperative models, and more. In its next phase, the Small Forest Tenure Capacity Building project will examine the feasibility of these opportunities and pursue funding from various sources to implement feasible projects.
The report will also add credence to discussions promoting industry change. We are grateful to those who have funded this project to date: Woodlot Product Development Council (WPDC), Nakusp and Area Community Forest, Regional District of Central Kootenay-Area K, and Bell Lumber and Pole Canada. The volunteer steering committee, led by Woodlot owners Brent Petrick and Hugh Watt, continues to provide leadership.
The two research participants who won the draw for an iPad may be grateful they helped make this happen. Congratulations to Tina Marie Hesketh and Chris Choquette Enterprises Ltd.
For more information, contact: info@nakuspcommunityforest.com.
