Two B.C. community forests invited to expand

The McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest is being invited to expand by almost 10,400 hectares, including 20,000 cubic metres of wood fibre annually, according to a Government of British Columbia news release.

The North Island Community Forest is advancing an expansion that includes more than 8,100 cubic metres of wood fibre annually. The decisions will result in 20,000 cubic metres allocated to the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest and more than 8,100 cubic metres allocated to the North Island Community Forest.

The province says the expansions will create more opportunities for local forest management, including wildfire-risk reduction, while supporting a sustainable fibre supply for local facilities and users.

The release says all community forest expansions are done with First Nations consultation. British Columbia has 62 community forests, according to the release.

The McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest was established in 2009, while the North Island Community Forest LP was established in 2011.