FESBC special report highlights the connection of B.C. forestry’s past to its Indigenous future

The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a special report in collaboration with the BC First Nations Forestry Council (Forestry Council), published to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025. The 32-page report, titled ‘Connecting B.C. Forestry’s Indigenous Past to its Indigenous Future’ highlights several Indigenous-led projects throughout the province of British Columbia (B.C.) focused on wildfire risk reduction, fibre utilization, and wildlife habitat enhancement with investments from FESBC to enhance forest health and resilience for generations.   

FESBC invited the Forestry Council to collaborate on this special report to share and celebrate the progress being made toward more inclusive, sustainable forest stewardship in B.C. The report features ten projects, led by Indigenous organizations, that have delivered benefits to communities, the economy, and the environment, plus special features on the work of Indigenous youth at the heart of wildfire resilience, unlocking the value of forests through fibre utilization, and more.  “The stories highlighted in this Special Report show the power of connection to drive innovation, improve stewardship, and support reconciliation,” shared Jason Fisher, Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and executive director of FESBC. “They centre on the work of Indigenous people engaged in the continual care of their traditional and ancestral territories, in modern ways that link the wellbeing of people to the wellbeing of the environment.”

Readers will learn how Indigenous-led forestry projects emphasize the importance of treating forests with care and respect while balancing the need to reduce wildfire risk to communities, create family-supporting jobs, address climate change through nature-based solutions, and rehabilitate forests for future generations. It’s the interconnectedness highlighted in the report that brings a lot of pride to leaders like Lennard Joe, CEO of the Forestry Council.

“Like this report, many of the forest enhancement projects included in it are collaborations between people and groups with different backgrounds who are connected by a common purpose: to make the most of what we take from the forest landscape and give back by investing in the long-term resilience of B.C.’s forests,” shared Joe. 

A hard copy of the Special Report will be shared with forestry professionals and FESBC project partners, and a digital copy is available online at www.fesbc.ca, which has received much appreciation from B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar.

“First Nations have shown that sustainable forest stewardship can benefit the environment, people and communities, as well as the economy,” said Parmar. “These stories demonstrate the leadership of First Nations communities in shaping the future of forestry in B.C. and reflect what is possible when traditional knowledge is combined with modern practices to strengthen forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and create good jobs. Thank you to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and the BC First Nations Forestry Council for this important collaboration.”

Moving forward, Fisher is excited about the impact new forestry projects with funding investments from FESBC will have, including other projects that have received additional funding to expand their work.

“The featured stories represent a small sample of the incredible work happening across the province. While FESBC has funded over 400 projects since 2016, this report is a chance to highlight and honour the leadership and effort of Indigenous communities who are making a lasting impact on our forest,” added Fisher. “We know there is more work to do – and we are proud to tell the stories of the people who are doing that work now.”