First Nations Crews in the Cariboo Chilcotin Lead Forest Tending Work to Help Reduce Wildfire Risk
- CentralCR
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Williams Lake, B.C: Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) crews are carrying out important forest tending work, such as thinning and pruning in the Chilcotin to help reduce wildfire risk and to support the long-term recovery of the land, as the work supports greater biodiversity of plant and tree species, enhances wildlife habitat, and enables healthier trees to grow faster to store more carbon.
With support from the B.C. government and the Eniyud Community Forest - a partnership of the Tŝideldel First Nation and Tatla Resource Association, CCR is managing young pine forests that are growing back after the catastrophic 2003 wildfires. These areas, if left alone, would remain overcrowded with too many trees, making them more vulnerable by creating the ideal conditions for another catastrophic fire. Instead, with good forest management practices including forest tending work, they have a better opportunity to become healthier, safer, and more mature forests that local people, wildlife, and future generations depend on.
CCR’s forestry crews are working to help change that outcome. By carefully thinning young trees, they give the stronger trees the opportunity for the space, light, and nutrients they need to grow well. This simple but labour-intensive work will help the land transition toward healthier and more resilient forests. The work will also help create a better habitat for moose, mule deer, and caribou, which tend to avoid dense, overgrown forested areas. Clearing space in the forest makes it more likely for these species to use the area again, restoring a better balance to local ecosystems.
“This is what we call a ‘pre-commercial thinning treatment’ where we create space for the healthiest trees by removing competition. It’s hard work and time consuming, but it’s an investment that allows us to better manage the forest for the future, while also improving wildlife habitat and reducing the chance of severe fires.” - Daniel Persson, Registered Professional Forester, Forestry Superintendent of CCR
The crews represent the strength and diversity of the Cariboo Chilcotin region, with 23 people currently working on the project — 17 from the Tl’etinqox National Government, five from Tŝideldel First Nation, and one from T’exelc or Williams Lake First Nation. Team members range from 35 to 67 years of age, including two brothers who are 65 and 67. Their experience, hard work, and dedication continues to inspire younger crew members in the field.
The positive impacts of the work of these forest tending crews goes far beyond the forest itself. The project is also creating meaningful employment opportunities in remote Cariboo Chilcotin communities for many Indigenous peoples. Many of the local crew members are receiving the special training and support to take on these demanding jobs, learning valuable skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
In many of these remote areas, long-term work that provides good family-supporting jobs can be difficult to find. By offering steady employment tied directly to the stewardship of the land, CCR is helping families achieve stability while supporting the health of the forests around them.
“These projects show how Indigenous-led forestry is helping to create real benefits from reducing wildfire risk to creating jobs and strengthening communities. This work helps care for the land in a way that better protects people and communities today to leave a legacy for future generations.” - Percy Guichon, CEO of CCR and elected Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation.
As Guichon notes, through this work, CCR and its partners are not just tending the forest, “we are building more resilient communities and forests while supporting the livelihoods of many families to ensure future generations inherit healthier lands.”
While CCR is proud of the progress being made, the joint venture is putting forward a call for more support to keep this important work going. Current funding has helped make a real difference, but additional investments are needed and are key to helping forests grow stronger, protecting communities, and improving wildfire response in the years ahead.
“We are open to partnerships,” shared Guichon. “From government to philanthropic organizations who believe that good forest management is good for all of us and our collective futures, we encourage people to reach out to us, connect, and let’s see what we can do to amplify our impact together.”
Learn more about CCR and their efforts to highlight how Indigenous-led leadership and collaboration is making a lasting change to better protect the environment and the people who depend on it. www.centralcr.ca
About CCR
Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation is a joint venture of Tŝideldel First Nation, Tl’etinqox Government, and Yunesit’in Government. The joint venture was originally formed to address the 100,000 hectares of dead pine left in the Chilcotin region and to rehabilitate those stands into productive forests. The fires in the summer of 2017 amplified the need to address heavily burned forest stands with minimal economic value. CCR’s mission is to coordinate and implement large-scale forestry programs and initiatives within the traditional territories of the Tŝideldel First Nation, Tl’etinqox Government and Yunesit’in Government, generating economic, social, and environmental benefits. For more information: www.centralcr.ca
Follow CCR on social media:
Twitter/X: https://x.com/centralcr_ca
For an Interview with CCR or on how to discover partnership opportunities, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, aleece@amplifyinc.ca, (250) 574 0221