The Lil’wat Nation and the Village of Pemberton have planted the seeds of a community forest partnership that will help grow local jobs and economic opportunities, while enhancing stewardship of local lands.

In response to the end of the mountain pine beetle epidemic and salvage of dead pine in the Lakes Timber Supply Area (TSA), the new allowable annual cut (AAC) for the Lakes TSA will be 970,000 cubic metres, effective immediately.

The new allowable annual cut (AAC) for Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 61 near Sooke is 121,000 cubic metres, announced Shane Berg, deputy chief forester.

Under the BC Rural Dividend Program, the Government of British Columbia is providing $603,162 to seven projects in the Thompson Nicola regions, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, announced today.

Under the BC Rural Dividend Program, the Government of British Columbia is providing $395,494 for four projects in the Robson Valley, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, announced today.

The British Columbia government is distributing over $528,000 in project development grants to help rural communities develop strong, stable economies and create long-term local employment, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson announced today.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the provincial government is providing $100,000 to the Fort Nelson region.

Opportunities for increased local forest stewardship near Likely and Big Lake, east of Williams Lake, could become reality following an invitation from Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson to the Likely-Xatśūll Community Forest and Big Lake Community Association to apply for a community forest agreement.