Wells Gray Community Forest Corporation (WGCFC) hosted a day-long Community Forest Input Session on Monday, Nov. 20 at Dutch Lake Community Centre from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The invitation was open to the community of Clearwater and surrounding areas.
During the information and discussion event, the WGCFC shared updates on current and future forestry projects, and hear from those attending about how they perceive the WGCFC works, along with productive dialogue with the public.
George Brcko, general manager of WGCFC, offered some visual displays during the event and had some informative discussions with those attending Monday’s sessions.
”We are working with project partners like Forsite to take complex forestry and management terms and make them accessible for non-foresters to understand,” he said prior to the meeting.
“We really want people to come out to learn and share.”
The WGCFC board was also available to offer insight into best practices and the role of community forests in the valley and throughout B.C.
Jennifer Gunter, executive director of the BC Community Forest Association, praised the WGCFC for their commitment to community engagement in guiding their work within Wells Gray Country.
“Informed public participation is a cornerstone of community forestry, and so the efforts that George and the Wells Gray Community Forest Corporation Board are making to include the community in the development of their plans and objectives are crucial,” says Gunter.
”Throughout the province, community forests are doing innovative forest management which is generating economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits for local communities. At its core, community forestry is about local control over the benefits offered by local forests, which is why the voice of the community is such an important part of good forest management.”
Brcko encourages those who were unable to attend to contribute their input and feedback, and asks those interested to participate in an online survey via www.surveymonkey.com/r/wgcf2023, which will be open from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20.
“We hoped to see many old and new faces to share more about the thoughtful work we have been up to and how our community forest benefits our entire community,” he said prior to the meeting
