Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures Provides Old Growth Update
Mount Currie, B.C.: Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures Ltd. (LFV), in partnership with Stillwater Consulting, Chartwell Resource Group Ltd., and the Líl̓wat Nation’s Lands & Resources Department, resumed work for its Old Growth Stewardship Data Collection Project last month.
With the last data collection finalized in advance of the 2024 winter season, LFV crews are back in the field to identify and assess old-growth areas within Lil’wat Nation’s traditional territory. The project will help the team better understand how to manage the forest for all its values, including wildlife habitat enhancement, the growth of medicinal and food plants, fire resiliency, forest health and more.
“Currently, crews are going out into pre-determined plots of land three times a week for data collection to get a representative sampling of the old-growth forest,” shared Hayden Leo, forestry technician at LFV. “We have planned to have 40 extra days in the field for data collection to ensure we identify culturally important areas.”
In addition, LFV is planning to open the project up to some of the old logging roads and areas they have not been able to explore before. Ure Creek, located about 11 kilometres south of Mount Currie, is one of those.
“Ure Creek is a sacred area, also known as ‘Mkwa’lts’. It has a lot of cultural and historical value to the Lil’wat Nation,” explained Leo. “There was a big washout there, so we want to rebuild the bridge to improve access and further explore the plots in the area, which is known for having a lot of old growth forests.”
The team has also obtained funding from the University of Northern British Columbia, as part of the Mitacs Indigenous Research Award program.
“The funding will be used for this project on old growth areas to develop a model using the data we’re collecting,” said Leo, noting they will prepare a report for Indigenous scholars to use. As he added, “this report will also benefit Indigenous youth by showing them that we’re conducting research on issues that matter to us – and that they can do it too.”
LFV looks forward to finalizing the project by March 2026 with plans to develop a report and presentation to the community to share the findings. Then, based on the data collected, the LFV team will evaluate the next steps to make more informed and holistic land management decisions. It is important that the areas that are protected for old growth by the Province of BC in Lil’wat territory are forests that meet the important characteristics that Lil’wat Nation values.
“This is a great opportunity for our Nation and our Indigenous foresters to learn more about the intricacies of our land, our forests, and the ecosystem as a whole,” shared Leo. “It’s a meaningful project we have been proud to take on and we are learning new things every day.”
Photo credits: Chris Thevarge.
For additional information on the project or on Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures, contact:
Valeria Molina, Communications Liaison, valeria@amplifyinc.ca
About Lil̓wat Forestry Ventures
Lil̓wat Forestry Ventures (LFV) is an integrated forest management company engaged in a diversity of forestry disciplines including forestry management, wildland firefighting and fuels management, silviculture, and specialized tasks like BC Hydro slashing and tree climbing (arborist). https://lilwatbusiness.ca/our-divisions/forestry-ventures/