2017 Conference and AGM Tumbler Ridge

Read the Conference Report

BCCFA Press Release June 18 2017

Surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, Tumbler Ridge was the perfect setting for the BC Community Forest Association to celebrate its 15-year anniversary. Delegates came from around the province to attend the annual conference, hosted by the Tumbler Ridge Community Forest. During the 3-day event, conference participants were treated to local hospitality and viewed first hand the incredible dinosaur finds that have put Tumbler Ridge on the map as a UNESCO Global Geopark, only the second in North America. The program included a field trip into the community forest to see treatments used to protect the town from wildfire, along with presentations and workshops on a range of topics important to community forest practitioners.

Thank you to our Tumbler Ridge hosts, volunteers, sponsors and speakers for making the event such a great success. And appreciation goes to every delegate who made the time to get there and to participate in the networking. We value each and every individual contribution.

A few comments on the Tumbler Ridge conference experience:

“Loved the structure and ‘phased’ sessions from listening and learning to engagement.”

“Always useful to connect with others across the province to share knowledge”

“There was so much information that was pertinent to our community forest situation.”

“The managers engaged in discussion and were open to sharing their experiences with each other. It seems that the BCCFA enables the development of strong member relations and trust relationships. “

Conference Presentations

Liability and Volunteer Projects on the Community Forest – John Hawkings, Director of Recreation Sites and Trails BC, MFLNRO

Community Engagement, Building Trust and the Cultivation of Social Licence – Carolyn Whittaker and George Van, Firelight Group

Social Licence  Workshop Summary – George Van, Firelight Group

Provincial Forest Sector Outlook – Chris Stagg, ADM Timber Ops, Pricing and First Nations Division, MFLNRO

BC’s Forest Sector: Working Together – Nikki LaChance, Director of Operations, Tenures, Competitiveness and Innovation Division, MFLNRO

Community Forest Program Update – Emma Neil, Senior Timber Tenures Forester, MFLNRO Forest Tenures Branch

Overview of BC Land Based Funding – Doug Stewart, Director MFLNRO Forest Tenures Branch

Community Forest Showcase –  Jeff Beale, President, Little Prairie Community Forest

Tumbler Ridge GIS Presentation and Field Trip – Ecora

Field Trip Notes and Photos – Duncan McKellar, Manager, Tumbler Ridge Community Forest

WorkSafeBC – Budd Phillips, WorkSafeBC

BCCFA Executive Director’s Update – Jennifer Gunter, BCCFA Executive Director

Conference Program and Speaker Bios