forestry

West Fraser Timber Company decking logs (West Fraser photo)

West Fraser Timber shutters Fraser Lake sawmill, 175 B.C. jobs lost

Lack of fibre citied in decision to permanently close town’s largest employer

 

Concerns about the Crofton mill’s operation have prompted North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas to write to Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston. (Photo by Don Bodger)

BC United would move province’s forestry ministry to Prince George: Falcon

Promise comes as industry deals with multiple issues, from supply to climate change

 

Concerns about the Crofton mill’s operation have prompted North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas to write to Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Mayor Douglas seeks enhanced provincial support for the Crofton mill

Letter to Minister Rolston outlines important factors into mill’s operation

 

British Columbia is moving to reduce the export of raw logs harvested in the province by requiring that certain types of lumber from the Interior undergo manufacturing. Logs are seen in an aerial view stacked at the Interfor sawmill, in Grand Forks, B.C., on May 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. to restrict export of unprocessed Interior cedar and cypress

Raw log export of each species will be banned in February unless exemption obtained

British Columbia is moving to reduce the export of raw logs harvested in the province by requiring that certain types of lumber from the Interior undergo manufacturing. Logs are seen in an aerial view stacked at the Interfor sawmill, in Grand Forks, B.C., on May 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Paper operations at the Crofton mill are now curtailed until at least the end of February 2024. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Curtailment of paper operations at Catalyst Crofton mill extended 90 days

Company continues to cite challenging market conditions as the reason

Paper operations at the Crofton mill are now curtailed until at least the end of February 2024. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A woolly adelgid beetle is shown in a handout photo.The woolly adelgid was first seen in southwestern Nova Scotia in 2017, and has since been spreading northward. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

B.C. beetle marching off to Nova Scotia to battle woolly invader

Researchers hope Lari can help protect the east coast hemlock from nasty pest

A woolly adelgid beetle is shown in a handout photo.The woolly adelgid was first seen in southwestern Nova Scotia in 2017, and has since been spreading northward. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
An entranceway to a potential bear den in a Cariboo slash pile. (Paul Blackwell photo)

B.C. trapper raising alarm about bears being burned in logging slash piles

Greeny Lake trapper Paul Blackwell warns bears and other animals use the piles as dens

An entranceway to a potential bear den in a Cariboo slash pile. (Paul Blackwell photo)
A couple are dwarfed by old growth tress as they walk in Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. A letter signed by more than 100 scientists is urging the Canadian government to take action to stop the degradation of its previously undisturbed forests through large-scale industrial logging. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Scientists urge Canada to keep the chainsaws out of undisturbed forests

Group focused on country’s countrol of degradation of forestland for industrial logging

A couple are dwarfed by old growth tress as they walk in Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. A letter signed by more than 100 scientists is urging the Canadian government to take action to stop the degradation of its previously undisturbed forests through large-scale industrial logging. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Forest permits, penalties, prescribed burns targeted in new B.C. legislation

Proposed changes get tentative approval from industry voice

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A fund of up $300 million announced by the provincial government Thursday (Oct. 26) promises to protect old-growth forest in B.C. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

B.C. creates $300 million fund for First Nations-led forest conservation

Environmentalists applaud, say more needs to be done to to protect old-growth

A fund of up $300 million announced by the provincial government Thursday (Oct. 26) promises to protect old-growth forest in B.C. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
Nanwakolas Council President Dallas Smith says a partnership agreement between four First Nations on Vancouver Island and one of the largest forest companies in British Columbia proves that Reconciliation can benefit everybody. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

4 B.C. First Nations, forest company strike ‘landmark’ $36M deal

Eby says First Nations across B.C. will watch Vancouver Island deal with Western Forest Products

Nanwakolas Council President Dallas Smith says a partnership agreement between four First Nations on Vancouver Island and one of the largest forest companies in British Columbia proves that Reconciliation can benefit everybody. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
We Wai Kum Chief Chris Roberts speaks during the announcement event, with Nanwakolas President Dallas Smith standing nearby. Photo courtesy B.C. Government/Youtube

Nanwakolas Council, WFP announce ‘Landmark’ forestry agreement

Four First Nations partnering to have greater role in forestry in mid- and North-Island

We Wai Kum Chief Chris Roberts speaks during the announcement event, with Nanwakolas President Dallas Smith standing nearby. Photo courtesy B.C. Government/Youtube
Bruce Hornidge with his memoir, Logger Heads. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Ex-logger recalls Vancouver Island’s War in the Woods in new memoir

Author Bruce Hornidge shares behind-the-lines view in ‘Loggerheads’

Bruce Hornidge with his memoir, Logger Heads. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Old growth Douglas fir trees stand along the Salmon river Trail on the Mt. Hood National Forest outside Zigzag, Oregon. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer)

Poor data hinders B.C. old-growth logging deferrals, advocates say

Outdated information leaving ancient forests open to logging

Old growth Douglas fir trees stand along the Salmon river Trail on the Mt. Hood National Forest outside Zigzag, Oregon. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer)
Paper operations are still in curtailment at the Crofton mill. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Another month for curtailment of Crofton mill paper operations

Paper Excellence’s 70 employees remaining off the job

Paper operations are still in curtailment at the Crofton mill. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kraft operations will be starting up again at the Paper Excellence Crofton pulp mill, but not paper production. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Pulp operations restarting at the Catalyst Crofton mill, but not paper production

Curtailment extended another month for paper operations

Kraft operations will be starting up again at the Paper Excellence Crofton pulp mill, but not paper production. (File photo by Don Bodger)
Old growth cedar in the Russell Creek drainage in the Slocan Valley. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Old growth trees still falling despite B.C. promises: environmentalists

‘Any old growth inventory map is obsolete the day you make it’

Old growth cedar in the Russell Creek drainage in the Slocan Valley. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Even a forestry-dependent community like Campbell River has not been immune to anti-old growth logging protests like this one that turned into a much larger affair in the streets of downtown Campbell River in 2021. The protests took place at the same time as tensions were heightening around the Fairy Creek blockades on the southern half of Vancouver Island. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror

Advocates say government ‘attacking’ economy of the North Island

Campbell River city council debates impact of government hostility towards forest industry

Even a forestry-dependent community like Campbell River has not been immune to anti-old growth logging protests like this one that turned into a much larger affair in the streets of downtown Campbell River in 2021. The protests took place at the same time as tensions were heightening around the Fairy Creek blockades on the southern half of Vancouver Island. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror
Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng speaks to reporters during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Softwood lumber trade war sees Canada pledge hard push against U.S.

Trade Minister Mary Ng call American duties ‘unfair, unjust and illegal’

Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng speaks to reporters during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Aerial view of part of the Crofton mill site. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Crofton mill extends shutdown another month

Union questions the lack of notice and meaningful conversations

Aerial view of part of the Crofton mill site. (Photo by Don Bodger)