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1. Dirtbikes and Quads are not permitted on any Community Forest Trails designated as non-motorized. 2. Important Notice: No Motorcycles Allowed on the Pack Trail To protect the safety of all trail users, motorcycles are not permitted on the Pack Trail. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our trails safe and enjoyable for everyone! 3. Leash Up! Dogs Must Be on Their Leash A friendly reminder to all dog owners using the Pack Trail: please keep your furry friends on a leash. This helps protect wildlife, other trail users, and ensures everyone can enjoy the trail safely. 4. Yield to Horses When encountering horses on the Pack Trail, please yield the right of way. Horses can be easily spooked by sudden movements or loud noises, so approach them calmly and give them plenty of space to pass. * Also, please do not take down the signs at each trailhead or in the trailhead Kiosks. Thank you for your cooperation and Happy Hiking!

As part of our forest health strategy, we are setting up funnel trap sites on Goat Mountain to collect the Douglas-fir Bark Beetle. Please do not disturb the traps. Our methods and reasons for this project are listed below. The traps have attractants on them that lure the flying beetles into the trap instead of to a Douglas-fir tree. They fall into the cup at the bottom and are collected, counted and disposed of throughout the summer. This data is then shared with the Ministry of Forests Selkirk Resource District stewardship team to aid in management decisions and guidance in the annual forest health strategy for Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area. Photos: 1. Angela French, Planning and Development Supervisor, for the Creston Community Forest next to one of the installed traps. 2. Traps set in infected area on Goat Mountain.

The Community Forest's Wildfire Risk Reduction work includes areas in Arrow Creek. A photo of the Macaulay Forestry work crew in the Arrow Creek treatment area and a second photo showing a broad view of our site. After a forest stand is thinned by logging, work crews will clean up and dispose of the debris by hand piling and burning. Historically, many areas throughout the Creston Valley would have periodically burned. Fires were caused by lightning or First Nations using cultural burning practices on the landscape which is once again being introduced. You may have seen the prescription burn conducted jointly with the Lower Kootenay Band and BC Wildfire Service along highway 21 on March 18th. However, the province's fire suppression program formed in the early 1900's allowed many areas throughout BC to develop dense, thick stands with abundant underbrush. We are now seeing a shift from that towards province wide Wildfire Risk Reduction programs.

Managing Our Community Forest for Fut ure Generations ​ Nestled between the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains, w e are a not-for-profit forest corporation managing the Creston Community Forest. Our focus is forest management, education, recreation and community resiliency for future generations. Sign Up for Monthly Newsletter What is a Community Forest? A Community Forest is an area-based forest tenure awarded by government to communities to enhance their local control over forest management. Community forests create local jobs and keep profits within the community. We manage over 21,000 hectares of land with primary objectives to promote a healthy, sustainable community forest ecosystem, while fostering a thriving timber industry that benefits the entire Creston Community. ​ Creating local jobs, supporting industries, and generating revenue that directly benefits our community, our goal is to create a resilient, sustainable forest for our community to enjoy and engage the next generation of stewards who will shape the future of our forests. FOREST MANAGEMENT ​ Committed to managing our community forest for future generations : innovative and sustainable logging, preserving healthy forests, continuous recreational and employment benefits, wildlife habitat enhancement, and wildfire risk reduction. More Info EDUCATION Dedicated to expanding the concepts of a healthy forest: benefits of a healthy ecosystem, innovative techniques used in forestry, biodiversity, wildlife and watersheds, and our need to sustain healthy practices in the forest. More Info RECREATION Creating safe spaces to enhance your hiking experience: bridge development, trailhead kiosk with maps, developed trails, lookout points, maintenance on existing trails, over 35 kilometres of trails and planning for future trails. ​ More Info Sign Up for Monthly Newsletter Latest News Creston Community Forest Trail Etiquette Douglas-fir Beetle Traps Arrow Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction More News & Stories Click HERE How to Get Involved Forest Stewardship Plan

GLIDERS’ POINT The Creston Community Forest has completed the extension to the West Ridge Trail that was built in 2019. This new trail provides a more direct and scenic hike to Gliders’ Point (the old hang gliding site). The West Ridge Trail now starts at km 1.5 on the Sullivan Creek Trail (look for post sign). The Sullivan Creek Trail starts at km 1.7 on the Mt Thompson Forest Service Road. Total distance to Gliders’ Point is 3.3 km (1.5 km on the Sullivan Creek Trail and 1.8 km on the West Ridge Trail). For more adventurous hikers, the West Ridge Trail continues to the top of Mt Thompson and the Rim Trail (total one way distance of 6 km). Enjoy the new trail and the picnic site at Gliders’ Point. Use the trail with care. ​ In May of 2020, a picnic table, fire ring and bench were flown via helicopter to the old hang gliding site now known as Gliders’ Point. The site provides a beautiful view of the valley. It is often frequented by wildlife and is a habitat for Mountain Goats. The historic hang gliding ramps were built from wood in the early 1980’s as a launching site from Mount Thompson. Tricky winds posed a problem for many of the hang gliders and therefore this site was not frequently used. ​ Do not litter; pack out all garbage Do not cut live trees or dead snags Do not gather downed woody debris Build fires only in fire ring with provided firewood or bring your own Make sure campfire is out before leaving Practice bear avoidance (hike in groups, make noise) and carry bear spray Do not disturb the wood from the old hang gliding ramps Be aware of steep drop offs at view points and picnic site Please note there is no washroom at Gliders’ Point or on the trail If any issues or concerns with Gilders’ Point, please call the Community Forest at 250.402.0070 . Trails Lady Slipper Trail Thompson Rotary Trail West Ridge Trail Thompson Rim Trail Thompson Pack Trail Billy Goat Bluffs Big Bear Viewpoint Gliders’ Point STAY IN THE LOOP! Sign up for our newsletter below to stay updated on upcoming trail work, events, and more. Don't miss out on the latest news, opportunities to get involved and join our online community to be the first to know. Creston Community Forest Newsletter sign up link: Yes, I want the Newsletter

Who We Are The Creston Community Forest envisions healthy forests with social, ecological, and economic benefits. We prioritize non-timber resources and local community input in our harvesting plans to make this vision a reality. Our community forest allows the Creston Valley to guide land-use decisions, respecting local interest and ecological integrity. Our guiding principles outline our long-term goals: Manage forest resources for long-term community benefit. Operate the community forest as a viable forestry enterprise. Educate the public on the community forest and Creston's forest management. Enhance partnerships with local First Nations. Develop a timber harvesting schedule for the next 5–10 years. These goals guide our planning and decision-making, ensuring we prioritize actions based on community needs and reflect local values and concerns. Resources / Links Guiding Principles Management Plan Forest Stewardship Plan Firewood Permit Policy Manual History Creston Community Forest’s history can be traced back to January of 1996, when the B.C. government announced the availability of a Forest Licence to harvest 15,000 cubic metres annually in areas near Creston, including the Arrow Creek watershed. Concerns about water quality led five Creston organizations to apply for the licence. They were granted a 15-year forest licence, forming the Creston Valley Forest Corporation. ​ In October 2008, the Creston Valley Forest Corporation received a Probationary Community Forest Agreement, which later became a 25-year community forest agreement, leading to the formation of the Creston Community Forest. In 2016, the community forest expanded its area and saw an increase in the Allowable Annual Cut, which now stands at 25,000 cubic metres annually. This rich history showcases the power of community collaboration and the dedication of those who strive to balance environmental stewardship with sustainable economic practices. Meet the Team To ensure smooth operations, the community forest has three permanent employees: a Forest Manager, a Planning and Development Supervisor, and an Office Administrator. All other operational work, including logging and tree planting, is contracted to local contractors based in the area. This approach supports local businesses and fosters community involvement in the forest management process. Forest Manager Daniel Gratton, RPF Planning and Development Supervisor Angela French, RFT Office Administrator & Safety Coordinator Kris VanderWeyde Communications / Marketing Sharlyn Carter The Creston Community Forest is governed by a ten-member Board of Directors. The board consists of five members from the community and one representative from each shareholder. Our shareholders include: Town of Creston Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildsight E rickson Community Association Trails for Creston Valley Society SHAREHOLDER DIRECTORS Gitte Grover Wildsight JOHN CHIS AM ORE SECRETARY Regional District of Central Kootenay KEITH BALDWIN VICE-CHAIR Town of C reston VACANT Trails for Creston Valle y Societ y BRAD RAE Erickson Community Association COMMUNITY DIRECTORS AT LARGE TOM OLENCZUK CHAIR ANN DEATHERAGE ROBYN USHER JIM ELFORD WAYNE HARRIS Board meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month. Decision-making is determined by consensus (60 per cent) and all communication is recorded in Board Meeting Minutes. STAY IN THE LOOP! Sign up for our newsletter below to stay updated on upcoming trail work, events, and more. Don't miss out on the latest news, opportunities to get involved and join our online community to be the first to know. Creston Community Forest Newsletter sign up link: Yes, I want the Newsletter