Robin Hood from Likely, B.C. may not have been from Nottingham but his legend for those involved in the province’s community forests is as big as the heart he had for the communities in which he worked.

Last night, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced the creation of a new $10,000 grant to be given annually to the community forest that best exemplifies the values exhibited by the late Robin Hood and the community forest program. These values include community leadership, providing local and social economic opportunity and passion for community forestry. Thomson made the announcement at the 14th annual BC Community Forests Association convention.

The inaugural award is being granted to the Likely-Xat'súll Community Forest for which Robin Hood was instrumental in establishing; one of the first under the community forest pilot program in the late 1990s.

The grants will be used for community, project-based proposals such as recreation trail construction and maintenance, incremental silviculture, and community fireproofing and fuel management. These activities will help to further support local, community employment and raise the profile of the community forest program in Robin Hood’s honour.

Significantly dedicated to the success of community forests, Robin Hood passed away after a short battle with cancer in March of this year.

A community forest is managed by a local government, community group or First Nation for the benefit of the entire community.

Community forest agreements carry an initial term of 25 years and are replaceable for another 25-year term after 10 years. They are long-term, area-based tenures designed to encourage community involvement in the management of local forests, while expanding economic opportunities and opening doors to local job creation.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“Robin Hood’s dedication to bringing success to his community and local forest stewardship is admirable. His big heart and positive influence touched the lives of those around him. These annual grants will recognize the community forest that best exhibits the values he demonstrated and will raise the profile of the community forest program.”

Jennifer Gunter, executive director, BC Community Forest Association –

“Robin Hood was a visionary, an inspiring leader and a maverick with a contagious drive to improve the communities and lives of those he came in contact with. The new, annual grant to the community that best mirrors the values that Robin displayed will cement his legacy in the community forest program, and will serve as a yearly reminder for us to reach solutions that have communities at the core.”

John Stace-Smith, secretary/treasurer, Likely-Xat'súll Community Forest –

“Robin Hood was a cornerstone of the Likely community. Enough can’t be said for his commitment to the community’s success – and for the people in it. The Likely-Xat'súll Community Forest is honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the community forest award that bears his name and recognizes the values he stood for.”

Quick Facts:

• Fourteen of the 23 podiums for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver were built from wood donated from community forests.
• The podium used at the Vancouver Olympic Centre for curling events was made of Interior Douglas-fir sourced from the Likely-Xat'súll Community Forest.
• It was 619 centimetres long, 185 centimetres deep, 60 centimetres at its tallest point, and assembled from 227 pieces.
• Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia identifies community forests as a key element in supporting prosperous rural forest economies.
• In British Columbia, there are 57 community forests issued or communities that are close to getting one, accounting for approximately two-million cubic metres of timber volume.

Learn More:

A tribute with more information about Robin Hood’s impact on the community forest program can be found on the BC Community Forest Association website:
http://bccfa.ca/rip-our-beloved-robin-hood/

More information on the Likely-Xat'súll Community Forest is available on the Likely Chamber of Commerce web page: http://likely-bc.ca/chamber-commerce/likely-community-forest
and on the BC Community Forest Association web page: http://bccfa.ca/likely-xatsull-soda-creek-community-forest

British Columbia’s strategy for continued growth in the forest sector, Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/Forest_Strategy_WEB.PDF