A Smithers silviculture business is being praised for its role in helping BC meet its 10-billion tree milestone.
A press release from the province said it is celebrating the 10-billionth tree planted since reforestation programs began in 1930, with two billion of those trees planted in the past seven years.
The release went on to say the Province’s research and investment programs continue to work improving silviculture practices to boost the success of every seedling and help make sure B.C.’s forests are resilient in a changing climate.
“Climate resiliency is one reason why the Province provided the Bulkley Valley Centre for Natural Resources Research and Management – a world-class research institute based in Smithers – with $10 million in 2023,” the release stated. “Its new Silviculture Innovation Program will support research and innovative practices that better address forest and ecosystem health.”
The purpose of the Silviculture Innovation Program is to improve knowledge regarding innovative silviculture systems through extension, applied and operational research.
The program was launched in 2023 following an investment from the Government of BC to support its implementation by the Bulkley Valley Research Centre. They expect to carry out projects over the next five years, while exploring opportunities to extend funding and support their long-term vision.
“Our goal is that innovative silvicultural systems are applied widely across British Columbia’s forested ecosystems for the stewardship of multiple values,” said Silviculture Innovation Program Extension Specialist at the Bulkley Valley Research Centre Gillian Chow-Fraser.
“The term, “innovative silviculture” includes systems for the harvesting, growing and tending of forests where the primary objective is to achieve holistic stewardship of the land base. Innovative silviculture systems are driven by an appreciation of ecological, social, cultural, and economic values of forests, where stewardship is focused on maintaining dynamic ecosystem processes and functions.”
Chow-Fraser added that over the past several years, forest management and forestry practices have come under significant scrutiny in British Columbia. Conventional forestry approaches often view the forest as a commodity and solely for timber values. But, she added there is now a shift to managing forests for multiple values such as water quality, wildfire resilience, wildlife habitat, food sovereignty and overall forest health.
“By supporting innovative silviculture practices, we can help ensure BC forests continue to provide values and services that will support communities for generations to come. There are many champions of innovative silviculture across BC, and our work focuses on sharing their successes and learnings, bringing even more interested organizations into the innovative silviculture world, and ensuring the tools and structures exist to support the next generation of forest practitioners,” she added.
Forest tenure holders have been legally required to undertake reforestation efforts since 1987.
In 2024, 235 million of the 290 million seedlings expected to be planted will be done through forestry companies, with an additional five million planted by First Nations.
In addition to legislated reforestation efforts, the Province will plant an additional 50 million trees this year through several provincial and federal programs. These initiatives focus reforestation efforts on areas that have been adversely affected by natural disturbances, such as mountain pine beetle infestations and wildfires.