Leaders in Forestry – Ann Nielsen

Ann Nielsen, Silviculture Manager, Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd.

Stewarding Recovery, One Tree at a Time

For Ann Nielsen, the forest has always been more than just a workplace; it’s been a constant presence, shaping her life from her earliest days. Growing up on acreage in the Lower Mainland, her childhood was steeped in outdoor adventures: camping trips with family, paddling on nearby lakes, and exploring the forest with the Girl Guides and Scouts Canada. Those early experiences instilled a deep love of the outdoors, a thirst for adventure, and a determination to care for the landscapes she cherished. It was a natural progression for Ann to follow that passion into the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia.

Today, as Silviculture Manager at Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), Ann brings decades of knowledge, technical skill, and unwavering commitment to the challenging work of forest rehabilitation. No two days are alike, from overseeing tree planting in the spring and summer to coordinating road rehabilitation, securing tree seed, managing silviculture surveys, and collaborating on caribou habitat restoration planning.

A Career Rooted in Action

Ann’s path in forestry has always been hands-on, rooted in solving complex problems in the field. At CCR, her work bridges planning, implementation, and partnership-building. Whether she’s liaising with nurseries to ensure the right seedlings are in production or working with stakeholders to rehabilitate old non-status roads, her approach is grounded in both practicality and care for the land.

Wildfire rehabilitation stands as one of her proudest areas of focus. Rehabilitating stands after wildfires can be challenging, with conditions often far from ideal due to extreme temperature swings from day to night, frequent frosts, fine-textured soils, grass competition, cattle grazing, browsing by ungulates, and various forest health issues. “It’s a tough gig being a tree in the Chilcotin, and only the toughest survive,” she says with a smile. “But when a stand gets successfully re-established, it’s deeply rewarding, you know you’ve helped accelerate the forest and ecosystem back on the path to restoration.”

Notable Projects and Challenges

Q.3. CCR works in some pretty challenging conditions. Which CCR project or initiative stands out as one you’re especially proud of, and why?

Ann: I’m proud of our road rehabilitation projects: these require extensive planning, inventory work, and stakeholder engagement to restore old non-status roads that have been sitting unmanaged. Securing the necessary authorizations can be complex and challenging, but the process is worth it for the long-term benefits to the land, wildlife and communities.

Q.4. CCR is guided by strong values like Stewardship, Collaboration, Resilience, Sustainability, and Indigenous Leadership. If you had to pick one that resonates most with you, which would it be? 

Ann: I would say Collaboration. Nothing in forestry happens in isolation: it’s all connected. We rely on strong partnerships within the Communities and among the people doing the work. These complex, large-scale restoration projects can only succeed when we work together toward shared goals.

Forestry and Climate Action

Q.5. Yes or No: Did you ever imagine forestry would be such a critical part of climate action and community resilience?

Ann: Early in my career, no - I pursued forestry out of a love for the outdoors, and it all felt very simple in those days. Later in my career, yes, as I came to understand how everything in nature is interconnected, including us. Healthy forests lead to healthy ecosystems, which in turn support healthy wildlife, water, air, and communities. Ultimately, healthy communities create a healthier world.

The Future of Forestry

Q.6. In your experience, what is one significant difference that CCR is creating in the forestry industries that you don’t see happening elsewhere?

Ann: CCR is leading innovative projects to rehabilitate stands impacted by wildfires. This work not only accelerates ecosystem restoration but also creates meaningful opportunities for local communities. It’s a unique approach that blends environmental recovery with social and economic benefits.

Q.7. Where do you see opportunities for the future of forestry, and what role do you think CCR will play in shaping that future?

Ann: CCR plays a vital role in the future of forestry by rehabilitating areas that are not economically viable for traditional tenure holders. Without organizations like CCR, many of these areas would be left untreated. Our close connection to Indigenous Communities brings a more holistic perspective to land management while creating opportunities within those communities.

We’re an innovative team, always developing new ideas that challenge the status quo. The biggest hurdle is securing authorizations for projects that don’t fit within existing frameworks, and ensuring these initiatives are economically viable. The forestry industry cannot survive by clinging to outdated approaches: we’re already seeing the consequences of that today.

Q.8. What have you learned from wildfire risk reduction initiatives?

Ann: Wildfire risk reduction initiatives work, and we need to do more of them. These projects are proven to make a difference, and they deserve greater support, both in terms of funding and policy. We also need to see stronger recognition of Indigenous knowledge, which brings invaluable insight and innovation to this work.

Final Reflection