Leaders of Forestry: Joe Webster

Photo: Joe Webster, Manager of Tŝi Del Del Biomass

From the Ground Up

For Joe Webster, forestry is not just a job; it is an ongoing journey of grit while remaining grounded in the values of utility and sustainability. As the Manager of Tŝi Del Del Biomass, a long-time partner of Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), Joe brings hands-on experience, deep industry knowledge, and a sharp eye for opportunity in forest rehabilitation and fibre recovery.

“A lot of what we do at CCR today wasn’t even imaginable 30 years ago,” says Joe. “Back then, we didn’t think about wildfire risk reduction, climate resilience, or maximizing fibre use the way we do now. But it’s clear, we can’t afford not to anymore.”

Joe’s early career in forestry began with driving trucks and moving equipment in the early 1990s after moving from Alberta to British Columbia during a downturn in the oil patch. Since then, his work has evolved into leading operations that utilize wildfire-damaged fibre more effectively, work that’s changing the conversation around what forestry can achieve.

Pride in Project and Place

Raised by hands-on experience and self-taught leadership, Joe now manages biomass operations that recover fibre from burned and beetle-impacted forests, supplying material to pulp mills, bioenergy facilities, and other applications.

Among the many initiatives he’s worked on, two projects stand out.

“Pressy Lake was one of our first pilot projects. It really showed what was possible,” says Joe. “And now we’re deep into Palmer Lake, which will keep us busy for a while. It’s 100% pine, and we’re using everything we can. That kind of recovery work leaves the land in better shape for future generations.”

Insights from a Forestry Leader

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

Joe: Pressy Lake and now Palmer Lake. These projects show that we can remove hazardous deadwood, reduce fire risk, and still find value in that fibre. We're not just cleaning up, we're setting the stage for healthier forests moving forward.

Why Open-Minded Leadership Matters

Q. 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? 

Joe: Indigenous leadership. All of those values—sustainability, stewardship, resilience—they all stem from Indigenous knowledge. CCR’s approach is rooted in those values, and that’s what makes it work. It’s not one above the other, they’re all connected.

Forestry and Climate: Facing Today’s Reality

Q. Did you ever imagine forestry would be such a critical part of climate action and community resilience? 

Joe: Not in the early part of my career. But today, it’s obvious. If we leave that dead fibre out there, it’s like leaving a pile of firewood, it’ll burn eventually. We have to act, not just talk.

Q. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about forestry’s role in protecting communities and ecosystems? 

Joe: That we’re not separate from the forest, we’re a part of it. If we don’t take care of it, we’re hurting ourselves. Forestry done right is part of the solution, not the problem.

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

Joe: CCR is willing to take risks and try new things. Most places stick to what they know, but CCR is open to ideas. That’s what gave us the chance to make biomass recovery work after the 2017 wildfires. Now, we’re doing what others said couldn’t be done.

A Vital Role in Forestry’s Future

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

Joe: I see a future where fibre utilization is central. There’s so much standing dead pine out there, and we can’t just leave it. CCR is proving that we can clean it up, make use of it, and keep the industry alive until the next generation of trees matures. That’s the kind of long-term thinking forestry needs.

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

Joe: They work. We saw it firsthand. One of the treatment blocks we worked on at Palmer Lake helped stop a wildfire this spring. That fire came out of a dead stand and slowed to a crawl when it hit our treated area. If we hadn’t done that work, it would’ve kept going.

Final Reflection