Silva21 – A National research project with a Quesnel Hub

Quesnel is part of a national research project called Silva21. This project will run from 2021-2026 and includes 38 separate research projects from 5 universities. The research program aims to provide data, tools and practical solutions to improve the resilience of Canadian forests to various disturbances and sources of stress, thereby contributing to the health of these ecosystems and the well-being of the communities that depend on them.

Silva21 aims to:

• Ensure the accessibility and continuity of fibre supply at a competitive cost
• Better understand impacts of changing climate on timber availability and access
• Implement socially acceptable adaptive Silvicultural and forest management measures

For more information, read the latest Silva21 newsletter.

Community Forest update

Lhtako Dene, Nazko, ?Esdilagh, Lhoosk'uz Dene First Nations and the City of Quesnel are in the process of applying for a community forest through the provincial Community Forest Application (CFA) process. A working group of elected officials from each of the 5 governments along with natural resource staff and technical experts have been working on the application over the past year and a half. Area selection and drafting a management plan are currently underway. More updates will be coming in March, so stay tuned!

Photos: Claymine Trails Fuel Management Project; L: Before, R: After. We manage fuels to reduce the chances that lives or property will be lost to wildfire. Houses near grasslands, forests, or other undeveloped areas (known as the wildland urban interface) are vulnerable to wildfires because they’re essentially surrounded by fuel. The extent and density of vegetation around a structure influences the ability of firefighters to prevent it from burning in a wildfire. Fuel treatments make unwanted uncontrollable wildfires less likely and easier to manage.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan and FireSmart update

• Through our fuel management program, to date we have treated 160 hectares with an additional 67 hectares currently operational in 2022 and 206 hectares of shelf-ready prescriptions.
   
• The City has secured over 3.5 million dollars through FESBC, SWPI, CRI, FEP and WRR to advance our CWPP.
   
• To date, 90 homes and buildings in Quesnel and area have been assessed for fire hazard, and 36 CRI rebates have been fulfilled.
   
• In the fall of 2021, the City partnered with Nazko First Nation on the « FireSmart of Private Lands » project and 38 yards of senior citizens were FireSmarted

Be FireSmart 

Are you ready for next year’s fire season? Even when buried in snow, we can be day-dream about all the FireSmart work we can do this spring. Small choices can lead to big results!

This spring plan to:

• move your firewood 10-30 meters away from your house
• choose fire resistant landscaping
• clean your gutters
• reduce natural wildfire fuel in your garden
• clean your roof of any debris
• clean under your deck

FireSmartBC is your complete resource for keeping your home, neighbourhood and community prepared for wildfires. As fires have increased in BC in the past decade, the need for preventative measures has never been greater.
 

Forestry and climate change

Climate change is a concern for many people around the world. Here in British Columbia, there are local people taking action on climate change right here in British Columbia’s forests. International carbon accounting standards recognize that forestry helps mitigate climate change which makes our forests the biggest nature-based tool we have.

This video highlights several local climate change heroes working on Forest Enhancement Society of BC funded projects throughout the province of British Columbia.

Canada’s forests, nine percent of all the forestry in the world, have a critical role to play in the fight against climate change. Now is the time for Canada to leverage the power of sustainable forest management to grow our forest-based economy. The industry’s senior representatives make the case. Read the full article.