2020 Accomplishments Report
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2020 Accomplishments Report Table of Contents “ The Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) continues to seek out partners either in the local, provincial, Message from the Chair ...........................................................................2 and federal capacities who will assist and build Message from the Minister ....................................................................3 upon WLFN environmental goals and objectives. The FESBC funding has been crucial in assisting About FESBC .......................................................................................................4 the shared mandate of reducing these outdated burning programs. FESBC funding allows First Nation About the Report ........................................................................................... 6 communities such as WLFN of the Secwepemc and Tŝideldel of the Tŝilhqot'in National Government, FESBC by the Numbers ............................................................................8 two nations that have historically not worked together, an opportunity that will benefi t both Looking Forward with S. Kozuki ........................................................ 9 nations and each of their companies.” —Chief Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation 1 • Wildfi re Risk Reduction ...................................10 2 • Fibre Recovery ....................................................................12 3 • Forest Carbon .......................................................................14 4 • Wildlife Habitat Enhancement ...........16 5 • Stand Rehabilitation ...............................................18 250 Reasons Why B.C.'s Forests Are Better Today......20 FESBC Approved Project List .............................................................21 Printed in Canada Message from the Chair Message from the Minister “ With support from the governments of B.C. and Canada, There’s no question that it’s been a challenging year for British the Forest Enhancement Society of BC has been enabling Columbia’s forestry sector, with those challenges being multi-layered: some long-anticipated and some unexpected. A tightening timber supply, others to reduce greenhouse gases, protect communities from the impacts of climate change leading to forest pests such as spruce wildfi re, improve wildlife habitat, and create jobs for British beetles and increased wildfi re activity in recent years, low lumber prices, Columbians. This work generates immense social, economic, and fi nally the COVID-19 pandemic have made 2019/20 a turbulent year and environmental benefi ts, now and into the future.” for the forest sector and the people of British Columbia. A key part of addressing these challenges has been our approach to how we manage The FESBC Board of Directors is pleased with the our forest resources. The Forest Enhancement Society of BC has played a pivotal role ongoing delivery of many successful projects to date. in helping to maintain the health of our forests and advance environmental and resource The Board is particularly delighted when creative people stewardship of the province’s forests. Their projects range from the prevention and in B.C. fi nd ways to achieve multiple benefi ts with their mitigation of wildfi res to improving damaged or low-value forests, and supporting projects. For example, when a community reduces their the use of fi bre from damaged and low-value forests. They are also a key partner wildfi re risk while at the same time improving wildlife in delivering on provincial climate change and CleanBC targets. habitat, creating recreational trails, and using the With programs such as FESBC, Forests for Tomorrow and the Forest Carbon Initiative, resulting fi bre to make sustainable green energy, and the considerable effort of the forest industry, B.C. has the largest planting program the benefi ts of each dollar is multiplied many-fold. in the country with the 2020 planting season on track for a record-breaking season despite the COVID-19 pandemic (at the time of writing). When British Columbians enhance our forests, we are bequeathing an inheritance to our children Through innovation and determination, B.C.’s forest industry has always emerged from times and grandchildren: cleaner air, fewer greenhouse gases, of challenge and uncertainty to be stronger and more resilient. With help from organizations better timber supply, higher quality wildlife habitat, such as FESBC, British Columbia will continue to take a global leadership role in the sector and safer communities. and as the minister responsible for our forests, I am optimistic about our future. This is a legacy of which we can all be proud. The Honourable Doug Donaldson Jim Snetsinger Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations FESBC Chair and Rural Development 2 3 Our vision is to enhance forest resilience to wildfi re and climate change for the lasting benefi t of British Columbia’s environment, wildlife, forest health, and communities. About FESBC OUR HISTORY OUR PURPOSES EXCELLENCE GOOD GOVERNANCE OUR FESBC BOARD OUR FESBC STAFF TEAM On February 26, 2016, The Government of B.C. IN FINANCIAL FESBC is guided by the The Board is led by the Government of British has invested $235 million MANAGEMENT strong strategic leadership Jim Snetsinger The staff team is led by RPF, Chair of the Board Columbia announced the in FESBC with $233 million The economic benefi ts of a Board of Directors drawn Steve Kozuki RPF, Executive Director formation of the Forest allocated as of July 2020 generated by our programs from senior ranks of the B.C. DIRECTORS: Enhancement Society of BC for 250 projects related greatly exceed the costs government and the forest industry. With their diverse Wayne Clogg FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS: (FESBC) with initial funding to our fi ve purposes: of running them with the RPF, Governance Chair Operations Managers of $85 million and a Board projects funded creating but complementary backgrounds 1 Preventing and mitigating Dave Peterson Dave Conly, RPF of Directors to oversee the over $357 million in and shared passion for the impact of wildfi res RPF, Assistant Deputy Minister Gord Pratt, RPF achieving the full potential delivery of its fi ve purposes. economic activity and | Emergency Management BC Ray Raatz, RPF The Government of B.C. Improving damaged or over 2,100 full-time- array of benefi ts from 2 Brian Banfi ll Offi ce Manager then announced additional low value forests through equivalent jobs in B.C. B.C.’s forests, the Board forest rehabilitation CPA, CGA, Finance Chair Kathy Dupuis funding of $150 million in We are pleased to report provides guidance and direction Finance Manager to FESBC staff. The Board early 2017 to focus on 3 Improving habitat for wildlife that our overhead cost Heather Bepple, CPA, CMA is particularly enthusiastic advancing environmental is only 6.5% which means Communications Liaison 4 Supporting the enhanced use about the many projects stewardship through achieving less dollars are used Aleece Laird, BBA of wood waste from damaged that achieve multiple or greenhouse gas benefi ts and and low value forests administratively, and more contributing to meeting British funds are used for projects synergistic cross benefi ts. Columbia’s and Canada’s 5 Treating forests to improve with social, economic, and Taken together as a portfolio the management of green- climate change targets. environmental benefi ts. of investments, these projects house gases to help fi ght deliver signifi cant multi- climate change generational benefi ts Our work improves forests for all British Columbians. and the environment while The Board has fully supporting forestry workers, committed to adhering communities, and First Nations to best practices for good throughout the province. governance and emulates many B.C. government policies for things such as human resources management and procurement. In our most As of July 2020, FESBC has supported 250 projects recent fi nancial audit completed by KPMG, FESBC received valued at $233 million in partnership with the an unqualifi ed audit opinion. Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada. To view our fi nancial statements, visit www.fesbc.ca/reports 4 5 About the Report This Accomplishments Report highlights This report highlights projects from ENHANCING COMMUNICATION FESBC initiatives and expenditures while around the province that: AND ENGAGEMENT sharing good news stories from projects • help reduce wildfi re risks to around the province. In our third full protect people and communities British Columbians want to know their year, we are proud of our collaborative • enhance wildlife habitat forests are being enhanced and protected, relationships with project partners who • improve low value and damaged forests providing multiple benefi ts for everyone. are doing outstanding work to enhance • re-plant damaged forests, and We believe it is important to publicly our forests today and for future generations. • utilize waste fi bre for green energy production. report on the work our team and partners are doing because the projects go beyond We continue to adopt best practices for Many of these projects also result in carbon the minimum legal requirements and our governance, administrative systems, benefi ts and contribute signifi cantly to climate business-as-usual management. and communications to help deliver our change mitigation. Learn about specifi c projects mandate in the most effi cient and starting on page 10 with the full list of As part of our communication strategy, effective manner possible. projects