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We asked our 2024 Summer Student to share her experience with us. From her response (text below), we are sure future generations are in fantastic hands. Every year, Creston Community Forest hires two summer students for hands-on experiences in Forestry. They gain valuable experience in forestry technician work, including silviculture surveys, block layout, and trail building. We also want to wish Eva an incredible year of studies and educational experiences while at the University of Victoria. “My name is Eva Sommerfeld and I am the Creston Community Forest’s newest summer student. This September, I’ll be entering my second year of a Bachelor of Education program at the University of Victoria. However, I knew this job would be a perfect fit for me because of my love of conservation and my desire to spend time in the woods even though my career goals are not centered around forestry. I was so right! I grew up in and around the forest industry as my father is a forestry engineer. Because of this and our passion for hunting, I have spent many days hanging out and learning about the outdoors. This summer job has taken my level of knowledge to new heights. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in the study the Douglas-fir beetles where traps were set up and checked weekly; recording their population levels and where they are attacking and killing trees. I’ve been loving spending my days maintaining the beautiful trails around the Creston Valley, learning about wildfire risk reduction, and learning about reforestation. I even got to dip my toes in the water of the hard work of tree planting. Also, thanks to the community forest I was able to participate in and complete a chainsaw certification course. The experience I received from this position has allowed me to envision incorporating knowledge and education surrounding forestry to my future students. I look forward to carrying on the respect for forests into future generations.” Also, thanks to the community forest I was able to participate in and complete a chainsaw certification course. The experience I received from this position has allowed me to envision incorporating knowledge and education surrounding forestry to my future students. I look forward to carrying on the respect for forests into future generations.” This September, Eva headed back to the University of Victoria to complete her second year of the Bachelor of Education program. Have a wonderful school year Eva!

Happy Equinox and the beginning of Canada's National Forest Week, September 22-28, with the theme of “Two-Eyed Seeing: Welcoming all knowledge to sustain our forests." Two-Eyed Seeing is a powerful perspective braiding Traditional Knowledge with Western Science. Through mutual respect and collaboration, we can learn how to implement Indigenous traditions with modern technologies to sustain healthy forests for future generations. Together we are stronger, helping to enable economic innovation and mitigate and adapt to the ever-changing climate challenges (such as wildfires, forest pests/pathogens, species at risk) facing our forests. The Creston Community Forest invites the community to learn more about the forest sector and its significance to not only Creston’s culture, history and future but Canada’s as a whole in supporting a greater recognition of forests as a valuable, renewable and green resource. National Forest Week is a yearly celebration that highlights the significance of forests in our daily lives and underscores the need for their careful stewardship. This year's theme, "Two-Eyed Seeing:Welcoming all knowledge to sustain our forests," reminds us of the interconnectedness between forests, people, and the environment. NATIONAL FOREST WEEK, Originally established in 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week and later renamed in 1967 to what is known today, National Forest Week encourages a greater public awareness of Canada's forests as a valuable, renewable and green resource. It challenges Canadians to learn more about the forest sector, and its significance to our culture, traditions,economy, history, environment, and future. Over National Forest Week, several events take place across the country, connecting thousands of Canadians to this vast natural resource, and instilling pride in Canada's forest sector! To find more ways and information about how you can participate and understand more about this year's theme, click here: https://www.cif-ifc.org/what-we-do/national-forest-week/ To view photos from last year's Grade 5 field trip we hosted with our local partners, click here: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/post/creston-valley-students-celebrated-national-forest-week-with-us

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 Erickson Community Association Trails for Creston Valley Society The top group photo: The board members from left to right back row: Keith Baldwin (Town), Wayne Harris, Brad Rae (Erickson), Jim Elford, John Chisamore (RDCK), Gitte Grover (Wildsight), Tom Olenczuk (Chair) (Front Left to Right) Ann Deatherage, Robyn Usher Successfully functioning community forests have well-established systems of corporate governance including terms of reference, policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms that carefully specify who makes strategic decisions and who make makes management decisions. This creates an operating environment that is stable and predictable and helps to maintain the trust and allegiance of partners, customers, employees, contractors, and volunteers.

Happy long weekend! Our next quarterly Creston Community Forest Newsletter is scheduled for September 3rd, 2024. If you would like to begin receiving our Newsletter, sign up here: http://eepurl.com/iwjUgk IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER Open House Success & Video. National Forest Week Participation. A Creston Community Forest Summer Student’s Experience. Mount Thompson Active Project & Goat Mountain Completion. Ralph Moore Memorial Bursary Award, 2024 Recipient. Our Board Members and Governance. Firewood Season - Do’s & Dont’s. Questions or Comments.

ROTARY TRAIL CLOSED: The highlighted section (see attached map) of the Rotary Trail will be closed until further notice due to safety concerns while contractors complete our wildfire risk reduction project along the trail. The Trail will be closed to all users during work hours 5AM-1PM Monday to Friday. Please respect this closure and remain off the trail from the junction of the Pack Trail to the Rotary Trailhead.

Please submit comments to: infoshare@crestoncf.com CCF - K3D CP 35 BLKS 8-10 COMMUNITY REFERRAL MAP CCF - K3D CP 35 BLK 08 CARROLL HP MAP CCF - K3D CP 35 BLK 09 PETERSON HP MAP CCF - K3D CP 35 BLK 10 PETERSON HP MAP

ATTENTION: Creston Community Forest contractors began harvesting our wildfire risk reduction project on between 2.5 and 4.5 KM. Safety is essential: Please be very cautious and aware of active operations while using the road. Follow all posted signage and use a radio, if possible. Expect disruptions and delays along the section of road with active operations during work hours Monday to Friday from August to October, 2024. Access to the Rotary Trail will be disrupted and trail closures will be in effect while work is happening in the vicinity of the trail. See the map for the yellow highlighted trail location that is impacted (Photo Above). For more information please contact infoshare@crestoncf.com or 250-402-0070.

This past Friday, Erich Endersby and Eva Sommerfeld spent part of the morning attending to the trailhead of the Pack Trail that starts at the end of Vance Road. Another popular hike maintained by the community forest that's close to town is the Billy Goat Bluffs trail. Once again, we ask that the trails be for non-motorized use only. Thanks and happy hiking!

Hear Fire Ecologist Kira Hoffman share what to have ready in your home if you need to quickly evacuate. These tips will help you and your family if required to leave your home during this wildfire season. Kira also shares current fuel load conditions of our forests as well as how this rainy spring contributed to some of what B.C. is experiencing this wildfire year. Click on the link below to watch the helpful and informative video clip: https://globalnews.ca/video/10632618/bc-wildfires-season-escalates-rapidly/

Congratulations to Ashlyn Yanciw as the 2024 Ralph Moore Memorial Bursary Award recipient. On behalf of the Creston Community Forest, John Chisamore (Board Secretary for the Creston Community Forest and Shareholder Director representing the Regional District of Central Kootenay) presented Ashlyn the $5,000 bursary toward her Bachelors of Ecosystem Management. Education is one of three pillars the Creston Community Forest uses as our ongoing goal to continue 'Managing Our Community Forest for Future Generations'. Once again, congratulations to Ashlyn!

This past Friday, Creston Community Forest staff spent the day learning about chainsaw use and safety. Instruction was provided by Macaulay Forestry and was an incredible day. In photo, left to right: Daniel Gratton, Erich Endersby, Ashlyn Yanciw, Eva Sommerfeld, Jim Macaulay and Angela French with Milo.

Father's Day Trail Feature: Billy Goats Bluff. This 2.7 km (one-way) trail takes you up to a rocky outcrop overlooking the Creston Valley.  This trail provides hikers with easy-access hiking right outside of town. On the way up the trail passes through an old apple orchard, a fuel mitigation area completed by the Town of Creston in 2012, several rocky viewpoints and several large, old Ponderosa pine trees, some with bear claw marks. At the top of the bluffs, hikers can enjoy the scenery by sitting at the beautiful picnic table crafted by woodshop students from Prince Charles Secondary School. A short trail to the north from the picnic tables leads to a bench with a great view of Duck Lake and the lower end of Kootenay Lake. For access points: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/billy-goat-bluffs