McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest invited to expand

The BC Government says the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest is being invited to expand by almost 10,400 hectares.

“Rural communities understand forestry, both as an economic driver and as a tool to reduce wildfire risk,” said Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar. “Driven by powerful partnerships, these expansions will mean real benefits for their communities in the form of local logs for local manufacturing, jobs on the land base and healthier, more resilient forests.”

According to the Province, the expansion will provide more opportunities for local forest management, including wildfire risk reduction, while helping ensure a sustainable fibre supply for local facilities and users.

All community forest expansions are done with First Nations consultations.

“The expansion of the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest is an important milestone for our communities and the forest industry in the region,” said McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Harley Chingee. “Forestry has long been important to McLeod Lake Indian Band, supporting our people, our businesses, our stewardship responsibilities and our role in the regional economy.”

“The expansion of the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest is very welcome news for our communities,” said Mackenzie Mayor Joan Atkinson. “Community Forests foster local involvement in forest stewardship, provide direct economic benefits to local communities and highlight the strengths and importance of partnerships.”

A community forest agreement is an area-based forest licence managed by a local government, community group, First Nation or combination of the three, benefiting communities.

The McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest was established in 2019.

Additionally, the North Island Community Forest is advancing expansion, which includes more than 8,100 cubic metres of wood fibre annually.