We are a non-profit, grassroots, citizens’ society advocating for culturally, economically, and ecologically sustainable forestry practices in the forest and watershed of the Boundary Region. Our members have diverse backgrounds, interests and areas of expertise that include logging, government services, silviculture, fisheries, farming, advocacy, and environmentalism. Many have experienced the ravages of floods, fires, and drought first hand. All are deeply concerned about the looming threats of floods, wildfires and extended droughts with their evident increased intensity and frequency.
We have in common the recognition that our forests are in crisis and as a result there are, already, dire consequences to the humans, eco-systems, biodiversity, and wildlife of our region. In May 2018, as a result of climate change factors and deforestation in our watershed, the Kettle and Granby Rivers flooded suddenly causing extensive and severe damage to rural homes, farms and rangeland. In Grand Forks and surrounding area, the flood damage was catastrophic. Less than 3 months later, the region was in extreme drought, a situation which lasted into late Autumn. Fourteen months later, the devastating impact of the flood continues to be felt economically, culturally, emotionally, and socially.
While abundant evidence in our watershed demonstrates the need for forest and ecosystem restoration we believe there is a moral and fiscal imperative to shift forestry practices to a paradigm that treats forests as ecosystems rather than being driven by a paradigm that emphasizes growing timber – or to use industry speak, fibre – for mills. When getting logs to the mill as cheaply as possible is the name of the game, we, that is individuals, communities and all levels of government, are burdened with the costs that road building and clear-cut logging (and their aftermaths) generate.
Clear-cuts can have an adverse effect on the environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Importantly, the rationale for prioritizing respectful management of ecosystems and biodiversity is environmentally, economically and socially prudent.
Therefore, we applaud the government’s decision to provide the public with an opportunity to help re-shape forest policy. Changes to FRPA must reflect the urgent need to manage our water and, as much as possible, our climate.
We know that when left intact our older-aged forests manage our water and help protect us from climate extremes especially because of their carbon storage capacity. Clear-cutting and associated logging practices destroy the composition, structure, and natural function of forests including managing water and climate. New tree plantations struggle to establish themselves; whether or not they attain the status of a forest with all of the complex ecosystems they are comprised of is a question we won’t know the answer to for a long, long time. Certainly, the current practise of 80-year rotations in our interior forest is foolhardy to say the least.
With these issues in mind, surely we are obligated to agree that forestry practices must focus on the resilience, renewal, and complexity of ecosystems rather than Allowable Annual Cut considerations.
The overarching objective must be the fostering of ecological resilience and renewal.
BC forestry legislation must contain a hierarchy of objectives that puts ecosystem restoration, structure, function, and composition as a top priority. Doing so recognizes that healthy ecosystems best ensure other objectives (social, economic, cultural, protection) can be met.
Reworking BC forestry legislation as quickly as possible is of paramount importance. British Columbians, who are entrusted with the care of our forests, will then have some assurance that the hard but necessary work can begin toward improving the ecological state of BC’s forests and, significantly, toward expanding and diversifying the overall BC economy. Ecology and prosperity are of great importance. However, we emphasize that without a healthy ecology there will be neither long-term nor well-distributed economic prosperity. ~ BFWSS
OUR PEOPLE
We formed in February 2019 through the leadership of a victim of the 2018 Grand Forks flood. Our Board of Directors and members have diverse backgrounds including retired government employees, retired loggers, citizen’s advocates, environmental activists, farmers, flood victims, and others who share a love of our forests.
Do you believe in our mission to save forests and protect our community? We welcome new members and Board members. Send us a note at [email protected] to find out more. We’ll get back to you right away!
Ray Hanson, Board Member at Large
Ray is a retired former Registered Forest Technician/Forest Resource Manager. He spent 32 years with the BC Forest Service up to the year 2000, both in the Interior and the Coast. Ray grew up playing in the forests of New Brunswick and has carried that interest into his career and retirement. Ray has worked with many social, faith, and environmental not for profit groups over the years at the leadership team level. One of his favorite quotes from Henry David Thoreau is “I took a walk in the woods today and came out taller than the trees”.
Jennifer Houghton, Board Member at Large
After her Grand Forks home flooded in 2017 and 2018, Jennifer became deeply involved in reforming forestry in BC. She co-founded BFWSS along with a small group of locals concerned about the damage from industrial logging to the ecosystems in the region. Jennifer has done extensive filming of the effects of the flooding on the people of the area. She has been the lead organizer of Forest March BC, forestry summits, and runs the Facebook group BC Forestry Reform. She continues to speak, present, and collaborate with BC grassroots groups to drive for forest management to prioritize ecosystems and local communities rather than corporate profits.
Tony Kost, Board Member at Large
Born in Amsterdam in 1950, Tony Kost arrived in Boundary Country a few months later. From a young age, he quickly developed a passion for the outdoors: nature, water, wildlife, trees, and our deep connection to the planet. At the age of 10, he became involved in his father’s projects as a creative way to work with nature’s bounty: trees. His working career included lumber mills, logging, falling and mining; never losing sight of his love for wood, and what he could create from that beautiful medium.
The beauty of Boundary Country has brought him to become involved with BFWSS: to give back to the area, realising what we ship out, trample, destroy and take for granted. He strongly believes we could all benefit by creating small, sustainable business with the bounty of the land, repairing our waterways, leaving large stands of forests, and working with nature. The time is now to do something. “Growing only begins when blaming ends.”
Roy Schiesser, President
Roy graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1980 with a BSC in Biology and Ecology. He built a log home in Grand Forks where he lives with his family. Roy is self-employed small trades contractor. He is a past member of Manitoba Naturalists and Ducks Unlimited. Roy worked with the Granby Wilderness Society, professional biologists, and citizen scientists on the preservation of habitat for the South Central Kettle-Granby Grizzly population. His play time activities include building, riding, kayaking, and trying to leave a small footprint.
Erin Slade, Board Member at Large
Erin and her family knew they would love living in Grand Forks when they moved here in 2018. Rain tapping on windows, sunlight through curtains, and the calls of birds all beckon to Erin whenever she is inside, and the Boundary is full of great places to get out to. In addition to working with BFWSS she is an abstract artist, library assistant, and fresh pasta chef with the Kettle Valley Food Co-op, Endless Knot pasta. Erin can often be found chasing behind her daughter on the local trails and into the wild.
Stan Swinarchuk, Board Member at Large
Stan has lived and worked in the Boundary area of B.C. most of his life and is an avid fly fisherman. His love of the outdoors extends to many environmental and land use issues throughout the Boundary. He worked in the forest industry for upwards of 40 years and has a great knowledge and understanding of the forest and its ecosystems.
Stan is very concerned about the viability and health of the forest, it’s wildlife and watersheds, and the devastating impact of continued clear-cut logging which leaves the landscape severely scared and unable to recover for many years. He is passionate about protecting biodiversity and supports the work of BFWSS, and many similar ecological organizations, to contribute to the education and awareness of the public and thereby support progress on conservation and to work towards making the necessary changes needed to improve our climate and protect our wild landscape.
Wayne Tblus, Board Member at Large
Wayne grew up in Greenwood, BC in the 1950s and after his schooling, the forest industry became his passion. He was involved in learning the business from the bottom up and spent 45 years in the industry. Wayne enjoyed all aspects of the work that the job entailed but always thought there’s a better way to harvest trees other than clear cutting. In the 90s Wayne and a friend started a business called Shelter Tree Consultants where they laid blocks out in mule deer winter range. It was single tree select which maintained mule deer habitat after logging. The harvesting in these sensitive areas now it is all about volume and leaving very little behind. Wayne believes the forest is there to use not abuse. The watersheds throughout the Boundary country can’t handle much more abuse that’s one reason and that’s why he is a member of BFWSS. We have to find a better way.
Joanne Waite, Board Treasurer
Joanne is an University of Sask. grad with a BSC in Agriculture as well as a degree in Education. After moving to BC she started a Home Environmentalists group in White Rock that aired on the Knowledge Network for 2 years in the 90’s. Later she home schooled her three children. In 2014 ,when her husband Noel retired, they moved to Grand Forks to live rurally and to restore a piece of land by implementing permaculture design techniques that included planting a Food Forest. She now grows as much food as possible. As an avid life long bird watcher she has been concerned about the state of our forests for decades.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PLAN TO RESTORE AND PROTECT OUR FOREST
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A note about contributions
Thank you for your interest in contributing to our organization. W could not do this work without your help! We have set up a PayPal account for those of you who wish to contribute that way, and we understand it is convenient and allows you to donate with a credit card. However, PayPal charges 3.5% for a donation fee (more for a credit card payment), so we receive a smaller amount of every donation. If possible, we ask that you consider an interac e-transfer to us at [email protected]. You will pay the usual very small charge for a transfer, and we will receive your entire donation to fund this important work.