Throughout the day, Board members commented on the incredible beauty of the Creston Valley and expressed appreciation for the dedication, knowledge, and passion our staff bring to their work every day with boots on the ground knowledge as well as innovative forestry practices. Most importantly, field trips like this reminded us that sustainable forest management is built on collaboration. Bringing Board members and staff together in the field creates a stronger understandi

As climate conditions change, improving soil health and water retention is becoming increasingly important. In Creston’s fertile valley, farms are facing hotter summers, longer dry periods and growing pressure on water supplies. Finding ways to adapt to expanded stressors is becoming more imperative to BC agriculture’s bottom line. This is where biochar comes in. In partnership with the Creston Community Forest (CCF) and the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Wildsight is

A Forest and A Family: Part of a three-generation clan of loggers, Trench writer Danette Polzin reflects on the forest industry’s proud past and its transforming future. Danette's story reminds us how community and family are the backbone of the forestry industry not only in the Creston Valley but in many communities throughout British Columbia.

As part of the Creston Community Forest's continued goal to mentor a new generation of foresters, we would like to introduce our two summer students, Tuscany and Elissa. Having studied at UBC's Natural Resources Conservation program, Tuscany and Elissa will spend the summer in Creston assisting with our forest development, monitoring the Douglas-fir beetle program, over seeing the maintenance of hiking trails

Starting today (April 28th), the Creston Community Forest will be salvage logging blowdown trees in a cutblock located between 3 and 5 km on the Mt. Thompson Forest Service Road (FSR). This is in response to a wind event that occurred in December 2025. Given the impact that Douglas-fir beetles have had throughout the Kootenays, it is important that these downed trees be removed by late spring at the latest to help mitigate this forest health concern. Douglas-fir beetles

Forest Activity Public Notice - Burning of Debris Piles - Mt. Thompson. We are planning to burn small debris piles created by our wildfire risk reduction projects starting today and continuing for a few days. * The goal is to remove the small debris piles associated with the wildfire risk reduction work the Creston Community Forest has been carrying out over the last 2 years. This will depend on the area experiencing good or fair ventilation for smoke to disperse well. If

In this issue, we share updates on the Kidd Creek Salvage Area and other forest management projects currently underway across the community forest. You’ll also find the latest news from our Douglas-fir Beetle monitoring program and information on the Ralph Moore Bursary supporting students pursuing forestry and environmental education. Spring also brings opportunities to connect creativity with nature through the Healing Forest Art Project and a special Artist Walk with a

This past fall and winter, the Creston Community Forest (CCF) completed a 57 hectare block in Russell Creek as part of its wildfire risk reduction (WRR) program. The intent of the project was to reduce the risk of wildfire above the townsite of Kitchener, BC and was done by thinning the dense canopy of trees by removing 50% of the stand. The next step will be to reduce the thick concentrations of smaller trees and shrubs and woody debris covering the forest floor that would o

Our Douglas-fir Beetle Project: These beetles typically do two flights per year in the Creston Valley, the first flight occurs in late April to early June, while the second flight occurs between July and August. During these flights, the beetles are looking for susceptive hosts to feed off and lay their larvae into, further increasing their populations. To mitigate the impacts of Douglas-fir beetle, the Creston Community Forest has developed forest health management practi

We want our community to know that we are now working in this area to selectively harvest the fire salvaged timber. After a wildfire, there’s a limited window of time, generally up to about one to two years, when burned wood still has value for milling before it deteriorates too much, so acting promptly helps maximize the use of this resource.

A few tips for non-industry vehicles: Please be very cautious and aware of operations while using any active Forestry Road. Follow all posted signage and use a radio, if possible. Expect disruptions and delays along the sections of road with active operations during work hours Monday to Friday. Before entering active work areas, please turn on your radio and listen to road channels before entering work areas, then call your kilometre and direction (e.g., “Km 12, going

We are proud to share this video "Rooted Together" highlighting the value and impact of community forests throughout British Columbia. The film explores how community forests support environmental stewardship, local economies, and strong, resilient communities throughout the province.

Forest Activity Public Notice: Burning of Debris Piles The Creston Community Forest will begin burning debris piles created through our wildfire risk reduction projects, as long as venting conditions allow. These burns will take place over the next two weeks on Goat Mountain, Mount Thompson, and in the Russell Creek area. All debris piles are closely and continuously monitored during burning. These burns help remove excess forest fuels and support a safer landscape aro

These are the people who turn plans into action. Who ensure that our projects, big and small, move forward throughout the Creston Valley. Their hard work, and commitment to sustainable forestry is the backbone of every project we complete. They are the heart of our operations, working closely with community forest staff to bring our vision to life. Our thanks go to: * Macaulay Forestry - who for the last 6 years have treated hundreds of hectares reducing the risk of wildf

We are planning to burn small debris piles created by our wildfire risk reduction projects starting through to November 15th.

In response to concerns about upcoming operations in Russell Creek, the Creston Community Forest (CCF) is committed to ensuring conditions are safe to reduce the risk of a wildfire during our logging operations. The CCF will continue to monitor the BC wildfire risk website to determine if operations are warranted and will not operate if conditions are dry such as what we've experienced the last two weeks. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../weather-fire-danger/fire-danger As of

Russell Creek Public Notice and Maps - Community Engagement. Russell Creek Details: Active Harvesting Starting Fall 2025- Winter 2026.

Public Notice: Active Harvesting - Peterson Creek and Found Creek, Wednesday, September 28th - Fall. Safety is essential: Please be very cautious and aware of active operations while using the road. Expect disruptions and delays along the sections of road with active operations during work hours Monday to Friday. See the maps for the location: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/projects For more information please contact infoshare@crestoncf.com or 250-402-0070.

Public Notice: Loaded logging trucks and Resource Road Channel listed below. Active road construction and harvesting will commence on Cutting Permit 35 Block 11 O'Kell Creek off of Big Bear FSR on August 11th. Work is anticipated to continue until early fall. To ensure safety, public access to the Big Bear Viewpoint will be closed during work hours (Monday to Friday) for the duration of the project. Loaded logging trucks will be hauling on Big Bear FSR, therefore it is

Public Notification: Road works on Big Bear FSR (August 5th - 8th).