CCF Information Session – December 2024
The Cheakamus Community Forest hosted an information session on December 3, 2024 at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre focused on the new climate resiliency planning and implementation approach, as well as how wildfire (Whistler’s biggest climate threat) mitigation projects affect Whistler forests.
An engaged crowd listened to Nick Soverel of Frontera Forest Solutions discuss how the CCF is evolving its Ecosystem-based Management Plan into a strategic, Climate Resiliency Plan. The effects of climate change are more pronounced since the EBM Plan was developed in 2009, and while the EBM is still the foundation, it didn’t address wildfire or climate change. The climate resiliency plan will do a risk assessment of the CCF land base to determine where it is most vulnerable to wildfire, drought and pest infestation over the next decades.
As wildfire is the biggest risk to Whistler’s forests, it’s important to understand the impacts of wildfire mitigation projects, or fuel thinning. Dr. Lori Daniels, UBC Koerner Chair Wildfire Coexistence at discussed how her research in Whistler’s forests clearly shows that treating young and mature second growth forests significantly reduces the risk of active crown fire. Dr. Daniels and a group of forestry students conducted the field research in September 2024 and to show the results. Daniels 2024 12 CCF Info Session
Andy Kwan, Chartwell Resource Group Ltd., followed by discussing how the Chartwell team will use the risk assessment and wildfire research to prepare strategic forest management plans to gradually make the CCF forests more diverse, wildfire resistant and climate resilient for the long term. CCF Strategic Harvesting Plans
Their presentations were followed by a lively Q&A session with the audience. If you missed the information session and have questions, please contact Heather Beresford, CCF Executive Director, at info@cheakamuscommunityforest.com.
