Mount Currie, B.C. –

Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures (LFV) is set to engage in a collaborative project with the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) Program from January 20 to 24. Led by Dr. Ken Byrne, Registered Professional Forester (RPF), Lecturer, and Coordinator for the MSFM Program at UBC, 21 students will visit Mount Currie and the Pemberton area to develop a landscape-level forest management plan centred around key themes such as cultural burning and commercial thinning.

“As part of the course, students must complete and present a capstone project, and this year, we will focus on a landscape-level forest management plan for a discrete area that’s being managed. To ensure the inclusion of First Nations values, I prefer selecting forests with either direct ownership or strong ties to First Nations communities,” explained Dr. Byrne. “I have been closely following the excellent work LFV is doing in the region. Our goal is to expose students to tenure holders and land managers like them, who are integrating cultural values and thinking beyond timber-centric forest management.”

During their visit, students will meet with the Líl̓wat First Nation Council, community members, and LFV staff to understand their objectives and the key challenges in managing the forest tenure. Dr. Byrne also hopes to meet with additional First Nations to understand their unique values and perspectives around land management.

While in the field, students will observe LFV’s operations and some of their forest treatments, allowing them to examine some of the visual qualities in a high-tourist area. They will also conduct additional research focusing on one of the following four themes: pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, cultural burning, and botanicals—specifically, cultural plants and ways to increase their abundance. 

“Students will integrate these factors into their management plans and consider, for example, how different types of cultural burning will impact all other forest values,” explained Dr. Byrne. “They will use that theme to develop alternatives to be used for a trade-off analysis, helping them compare and select the best option to move forward.”

Klay Tindall, RPF, General Manager of LFV, looks forward to welcoming students and providing hands-on learning opportunities that will help them to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and redefine forest values beyond timber.

“We’re thrilled to partner with UBC on another project. Our collaboration has allowed us to combine traditional forest science with Lil’wat cultural knowledge and values, leading to more informed management decisions,” expressed Tindall. “These decisions have enabled Líl̓wat Forestry to recognize the value of forests not just for their timber, which helps provide housing for British Columbians as well as capturing carbon in these finished wood products, but also for their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.”

As noted by Dr. Byrne, this collaboration signifies a mutually beneficial partnership between UBC and LFV. 

“Students will gain practical experience working with well-rounded professional foresters and land managers, while the LFV team will receive valuable research and plans that could prove valuable for future land management decisions.”

Working alongside forest professionals, First Nations, and community stakeholders, Dr. Byrne added that students will get the chance to hear diverse points of view that are not always accessible from the classroom or the city environment, further allowing them to acquire a comprehensive, real-world perspective of the industry.

In addition to working with LFV, students will also get to visit the Cheakamus Community Forest in Whistler and the Squamish Community Forest in Squamish.

“Líl̓wat doesn’t operate in isolation, there are other things happening outside of their First Nation woodland license. By visiting these community forests, we can follow a lot of these activities that occur in the area and bring it all together into our plans,” noted Dr. Byrne. “A visit to a log sort in Squamish will also provide students with a better understanding of forest operations and marketing of wood products.” 

By the end of the week, students will gain a deeper understanding of community forest management and the diverse practices being employed across the region. As an important step in combining academic knowledge with hands-on experience, this collaboration will ensure students can integrate cultural values into their forest management planning.

For additional information on the project or on Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures, contact:

Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, aleece@amplifyinc.ca | 250.574.0221

MSFM students crossing a stream where it drains into the Alouette River in their Site Plan study block at MKRF. 

Header Photo: Gordie Boldt, Canadian Overseas Log Broker, talking about log values and call grading with MSFM students at Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF)

Photo credits: Dr. Ken Byrne.