Roly Russell MLA for Boundary Similkameen announced that the Forest Enhancement Society of BC has allocated $3 million in new grants throughout the province to support jobs in the forestry sector and to increase the utilization of wood fibre that otherwise would be burned as slash.
The grants are to help support communities and workers in the region and to reduce wood waste and emissions. In the Okanagan – Similkameen regional District, Westwood Fibre Resources Ltd. near Princeton received grant money for fibre recovery. Russel said, “Forestry helps put food on the table and roofs over the heads of a lot of people in our communities. Creative and more complete utilization of as many products of forestry as possible is important to all of us, and it’s great to see that happening in Princeton. Supporting innovative projects like this keeps our forests vibrant and working and helps make rural communities more resilient and adaptable in times of change.”
A number of projects will allow around 225,000 cubic metres of post-harvest waste wood to be utilized in the production of pulp, wood pellets, electricity, and compost for soil remediation. This work will also provide environmental, economic and social benefits to B.C. communities, including a reduction in greenhouse gases.