West Boundary Community Forest has completed a project at a recreational area adjacent to Jewel Lake following $250,000 in funding from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, a Crown agency.
The wildfire-mitigation project “brought to the forefront what successful collaborative efforts can look like in BC’s forests,” according to a statement from FESBC.
“A lot of collaboration from many partners were a hallmark of this project,” agrees Dan Macmaster, forest manager for WBCF.
According to Macmaster, “local residents were involved” in everything from initial planning to final cleanup.
“We had great support of BC Parks, Vaagen Fibre Canada, and the Osoyoos Indian Band showing what can be achieved when we work together,” he added.
Jewel Lake Environmental Protection Society, a local society led by local residents, also supported the WBCF’s vision for the project. The society says it recognized the Community Forest’s objective was “to care for the forest and protect important infrastructure, like homes, recreational trails, and camping sites.”
“Dan, together with the forest professionals at Vaagen, involved the local residents of Jewel Lake in the development of their plans right from the start,” affirmed local resident Randy Terries. “They listened to our concerns, implemented many of our ideas, and led field trips when requested.”
“Our forestry team assisted with the manual treatments needed to ensure the area was protected in the future from a major wildfire,” Vern Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band stated. The Band was also involved in the initial work and design of the project itself.
Overall, “it was a very strong effort by the West Boundary Community Forest to meet the goal to reduce the wildfire risk to the community while collaborating and addressing recreational and other aesthetic values in the forest,” according to Gord Pratt, a senior manager for FESBC.
“From the start, it was all about collaboration,” said Pratt, “and [WBCF] showed openness and great leadership in realizing the important outcomes of the project.”
Over the years, the Jewel Lake area had seen accumulation of blowdown and dead standing trees, increasing the risk of a wildfire spreading through the area.
“This is in an area that is on the Southern tip of our province and it’s an area of hot dry weather,” says Pratt.
“The forest type in the area is very susceptible to wildfire and this project has decreased the likelihood of a devastating impact from a wildfire to the community surrounding Jewel Lake,” Pratt said.
His team also improved recreational infrastructure “with new trails, new signage, and interpretive signs to teach people about the local plants, trees, and wildlife.”
“By doing this work, we can buy more time for residents to get out and firefighters to come in if there is a fire,” says Macmaster.
The project relied heavily on the local workforce with approximately 20 people involved through all stages—a boost to the local economy.
“We are proud that, moving forward, we will continue adding on to the work we were able to do with the FESBC funding,” stated Macmaster
Since 2016, FESBC has supported more than 260 projects throughout BC. The Crown agency has reduced wildfire risk in more than 100 communities and have created more than 2,000 full-time jobs.
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