A popular recreational forest area in the Campbell River area is receiving some much-needed upgrades.

Short-term employment opportunities on northern Vancouver Island have kept forest workers affected by changes in the sector employed under the government’s Forest Employment Program (FEP).

At a community celebration, the Wei Wai Kum First Nation and the Province of B.C. signed an Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA) that will transfer 2,276 hectares of territorial lands back to Wei Wai Kum and help boost the Nation’s economic activities.

People wanting a career in the forestry sector will soon be able to access more education and training options, following a $1-million investment in new and upgraded programs at six public post-secondary institutions.

BC Timber Sales (BCTS) forestry operations in the Snowden Forest, north of John Hart Lake, are planned to restart in spring 2018, with operational phases continuing through 2019.

The Province is providing $95,000 so 10 Aboriginal students in the Campbell River-area can learn the skills needed for employment in the British Columbia road building and forestry machinery sector.

Natural resource officers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations joined forces with Ministry of Environment conservation officers and the RCMP to patrol recreation sites in the Campbell River area over the weekend.