Flavio NienowLake District News
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) held its second forest forum on Oct. 13, 2015.
Participants included local politicians and representatives from forest industry, community forests, Council of Forest Industries, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, First Nations and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition.
Discussions focused on issues such as changing climate and the significant changes to wildfire management around fuel build up and intensity of fires.
Bill Miller, Director of Electoral Area B, explained that wildfires have had cumulative impacts to the region over the last few years. Miller said discussing sustainable forest practices is vital.
“Forest is our home, our sustenance, our workplace, and our recreation place,” said Miller. “It is a part of who we are.”
He added the forum was important to ensure the RDBN is working collaborative in their approach to getting the best use of the region’s resources and capacities.
Participants heard presentations from Brian Simpson, former Executive Director of the Wildfire Management Branch, Tim Ryan, Board Chair of the Forest Practices Board, and Bradley Martin, Senior Protection Officer with the Northwest Fire Centre.
The forum was a joint initiative by the RDBN and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition.
A report with all forum discussions will be released within the next couple of weeks.