Not only a stunning photo captured by our Forest Technician, Erich Endersby, but a strong visual for our quarterly newsletter: Respect Our Quarterly Newsletter is available to read with link below. Our goal is to share what we do in the community when we are logging, protecting our forests from the risk of wildfire, providing outdoor recreational opportunities, fostering long term community economic development of the Creston Valley area, supporting our community, and continuing to educate our youth about the wonders and importance of our forests. IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER 1. Our National Forest Week 2. Firewood Permits and Needed Information 3. Active Hauling Areas 4. A Community Win: our summer students share their experience 5. Field Tour for UBC Master of Sustainable Forest Management Students 6. Summer Field Trip with our Staff and Board of Directors 7. Welcome Our Newest Board Director 8. Our New Location 9. Questions or Comments To read our Newsletter, click here: https://mailchi.mp/34ed887eb2e6/october-newsletter-for-ccf To sign up for our Quarterly Newsletter, click here: http://eepurl.com/iwjUgk

Collecting Firewood in the Creston Community Forest (the Selkirk Forest District): What You Need to Know Did you know that you need permission to collect firewood from our forestry blocks? This permission comes in the form of a Free Use Permit for Firewood – for Domestic Purposes Only. This permit is free of charge and valid only within the Selkirk Forest District, which includes the Arrow, Boundary, Kootenay Lake, and Creston areas seen in yellow on the map above. What Does the Permit Allow? This permit authorizes you to: Collect dead and downed wood only (no live trees or standing dead permitted) Gather up to 5 cords per calendar year (approx. 18 cubic metres or 6–8 pick-up loads) Use the wood for personal, domestic use only—not for resale or commercial purposes Important Regulations to Follow When collecting firewood, the following rules apply under Section 48(1)(b) of the Forest Act: You must fill out, sign, and carry your permit with you while cutting or transporting firewood. You must be able to produce your permit if asked by a Natural Resource Officer, Conservation Officer, or Peace Officer The permit is not transferable Cut only DEAD conifer trees (standing or down). Conifer trees that have been blown down or broken off, shall ONLY be cut for firewood if there are no green needles left on the tree(s). No cutting of deciduous trees is allowed under this permit. Cutting of any decked logs is PROHIBITED and may be subject to criminal charges of theft under the Criminal Code of Canada. Wildlife Values are to be recognized. No trees greater than 50 cm (approximately 20 inch) in diameter as measured at stump height (30cm from germination) shall be cut under this permit. Care shall also be taken to not cut, damage or remove trees showing signs of wildlife use (see last page). Watch especially for trees posted with a “Wildlife Tree” sign. It is an offense under the Wildlife Act to destroy any active bird nest. Look carefully before you cut! ** See image of Wildlife Tree Characteristics on the Permit and on our ‘Firewood’ webpage located on our website. The link to view both is listed below. PERMISSION MUST FIRST BE GRANTED from the Creston Community Forest before cutting a tree within these area based tenures using this permit. The debris must be cleared from roads, roadside ditches, culvert inlets and outlets prior to leaving the area with a load of firewood. Note: whenever you cut, you should have at least one functional shovel and one fire extinguisher present at all times. Follow all posted instructions in respect to the use of the road. Do not block roads under active use with your vehicle or firewood. Work safe and drive carefully. This permit is issued under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and associated regulations. Permit holders are expected to collect responsibly, avoid damage to the land, and leave no trace. Please see the map of permit required area in this post. How to Get Your Free Use Permit To make things easy, we’ve created a dedicated page on our website where you can download and fill out your permit: 👉 Click here to access the Firewood Permit and Details Please read all instructions carefully before heading out. Our goal is to keep firewood collection safe, sustainable, and respectful of the land we all share.

On October 2nd, the forest became the ultimate classroom for approximately 70 students from Erickson and Adam Robertson elementary schools. To celebrate National Forest Week, the students swapped their desks for the great outdoors, diving into this year’s theme: “Rooted Together - Communities Growing Through Forest Education.” Led by experts from Canfor, BC Wildfire Service, J.H. Huscroft, Rick Polzin Contracting and the Creston Community Forest, the day was packed with hands-on adventure. Students explored the Enchanted Forest on an engaging biodiversity walk, painted their personal forest stories onto wooden "tree cookies," and put their navigation skills to the test by compass-traversing a selectively logged cut block. Excitement peaked when an initial attack crew demonstrated high intensity fire suppression techniques, followed by an up-close look at logging equipment. Over the course of a picture-perfect autumn day, the field trip included a classic hotdog barbecue, leaving everyone deeply rooted in their love for the local woods. A special thank you to JH Huscroft for providing the tree cookies and the community forest directors for providing lunch to all the students.

ATTENTION Active Hauling: Creston Community Forest contractors began harvesting our wildfire risk reduction project on Mt. Thompson with active hauling between 0 - 4 KM on the Thompson FSR and on the Thompson Spur Road from 4 - 13 KM. * Please note the activity will be now through to the end of November. 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 October16 to the end of November, 2026. For more information please contact 250-402-0070

Meet Lori Daniels, Chair of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence at the University of British Columbia, and Dr. Kira Hoffman, Fire Ecologist of the Silviculture Innovation Program. In this video, they share the ways in which community forest managers across the province have been creating more wildfire-resilient ecosystems over the past two decades.

The BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) released its 2026 Community Forest Indicators Report: Measuring the Benefits of Community Forestry. Representing more than 100 rural and Indigenous communities, the BCCFA is a province-wide network dedicated to supporting local people making decisions about local forests. Since 2014, the Community Forest Indicators Report has tracked the wide-ranging benefits of community forestry. The 2026 report demonstrates once again the broad benefits of community forestry across British Columbia. Drawing on survey data from community forests, the 2026 Community Forest Indicators Report highlights the many economic, social, and environmental contributions of community forests. During the reporting period, community forests created full-time jobs in forestry, logging and support services at a rate higher than the industry average, highlighting underscoring their role in local employment and economic growth. They also generated millions in local economic activity, invested in wildfire resiliency, and dedicated contributed over thousands of hours to community educational projects. We are sharing just a few clips from the report. For the full Indicators Report see link below: https://www.bccfa.ca/_files/ugd/b776e1_58879bc5dd8d4de48b27855eefce78ed.pdf

The Creston Community Forest is accepting applications for a position on our Board of Directors, with applications close October 2nd, 2026. Applications close October 2nd, 2026. Interested in becoming part of the Creston Community Forest Board of Directors? Click the link below, where you can learn more and download the PDF application. Links: BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPLICATION PDF Who We Are - list of board members 2026 Infographic of Creston Community Forest from December 2025

You are Invited! Please mark your calendars and join us Friday September 18th, 5-7pm at the Tilted Brick Art Gallery for the Opening Night of 'Healing Forests: In honour of what forests give us. There you will be able to experience juried art pieces: sculpture, video, felt, painting, drawing, and other mediums. We are proud of the partnership and the project coming to life after 15 months of planning. The art pieces are from artists throughout the Kootenays who not only shared their art piece but their exploration of the concept with their 'Artist Statements' which you will be able to read at the show. Creston Community Forest in partnership with the Tilted Brick Gallery, presents Healing Forest: In honour of what Forests give us, a juried exhibition exploring the many ways forests shape our lives ecologically, economically, culturally, emotionally and recreationally. The exhibition celebrates artistic reflections on the vital and often intangible gifts forests give us.

You are Invited! Please join us this Friday September 18th, 5-7pm at the Tilted Brick Gallery for the Opening Night of 'Healing Forests: In honour of what forests give us’. There you will be able to experience juried art pieces: sculpture, video, felt, painting, drawing, and other mediums. We are proud to see this partnership and project come to life after 15 months of planning. The exhibition features works by artists throughout the Kootenays, each bringing their own perspective and creative interpretation to the theme of Healing Forests: In Honour of What Forests Give Us. Along with their artwork, each artist has shared an Artist Statement that explores the inspiration, meaning, and personal connection behind their piece. These statements will be displayed alongside the artwork, giving visitors an opportunity to discover more about each artist’s creative journey and their relationship with the forest. A portion from an artist statement: “…What I discovered was that this connection to the forest was inseparable from a connection to my own True Self. The forest didn’t just offer shade or beauty; it offered a mirror. In its ancient silence, I could hear something reverberating from within, an inner voice I had long forgotten...” We look forward to sharing these art works and the stories behind them with you, artists, Tilted Brick Gallery members, our Board Members and the Creston Community Forest Team. Creston Community Forest in partnership with the Tilted Brick Gallery, presents Healing Forest: In honour of what Forests give us, a juried exhibition exploring the many ways forests shape our lives ecologically, economically, culturally, emotionally and recreationally. The exhibition celebrates artistic reflections on the vital and often intangible gifts forests give us. *All details are found on the above attached image in this email post.

Kootenay River Secondary School students and their Grade 10 & 11 science teacher, Erich Meyer, for a field day of learning and exploration on October 27th, 2025. The Creston Community Forest (CCF) is pleased to invite applications for a $5,000.00 educational bursary supporting students pursuing post-secondary studies in Forestry or Environmental Science. As a not-for-profit forest management organization overseeing more than 21,000 hectares of forest lands surrounding the Creston Valley. Through this bursary, CCF hopes to encourage students who are interested in advancing their education in forestry or environmental fields through technical programs, college, or university studies. Supporting education in these areas helps strengthen our community’s connection to sustainable forest management and ensures the next generation continues the work of protecting and understanding our natural landscapes. About Ralph Moore: June 12, 1945 - April 16, 2015.Ralph was born in 1945 in Kimberley B.C., growing up between the Purcells and the Rockies creating a love for the mountains. His father, Jack, took him on countless wilderness hikes and as a result Ralph shared his passion for the wild with hundreds of people over the years, knowing that protection begins with appreciation. He was especially pleased with the opportunity to protect the forests on Goat Mountain by establishing a Woodlot. He was proud of the work of the local Community Forest Corporation and was a founding member of the environmental group that eventually became Wildsight. He donated hours of his life to assisting individuals and groups in whatever ways he could. We continue to honour him with this educational bursary. CCF is requesting applications from individuals interested in an educational bursary to advance them to a potential career in Forestry or Environmental Science. Selection of Bursary recipient will be made Creston Valley Forest Corporation Board of Directors based solely on the responses to the application questionnaire. Deadline for completed application: May 15th, 2026 To read the Ralph Moore Bursary application form and details, HERE

There is no better classroom for learning about sustainable forest management than the forest itself. Last Sunday, students from the University of British Columbia’s Master of Sustainable Forest Management program joined the Creston Community Forest and Yaqan Nukiy members for a guided field tour and an opportunity to explore some of the realities, challenges and opportunities of working in forestry. Leading the discussion for the Creston Community Forest were Elissa and Erich, who both worked directly on these projects. Drawing from their hands-on experience, they shared not only the technical aspects of the projects but also their experiences working on the ground that go into managing forests for multiple values. They gave a background to the community forest and discussed topics which they believed to be relevant to students beginning their career in forestry, discussion included; wildfire risk reduction surrounding communities, the balance between multiple values in forest management, our upcoming study on biochar for forest regeneration as well as challenges and obstacles faced in commercial logging operations. The students were very engaged and had many great questions, we were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with them and to collaborate with Yaqan Nukiy. One of three pillars for the Creston Community Forest and an important part of our work is providing educational opportunities to get out into the forest. Seeing projects firsthand, asking questions on site and discussing why particular forest management decisions are made can add an entirely different perspective to classroom learning. We are grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Yaqan Nukiy members and welcome the UBC students. Sharing knowledge, creating hands-on learning opportunities and encouraging conversations about the future of our forests are an important part of what we do.

We would like to announce a full circle win for our community and team. Our second summer student would like to share her experience: "Hello everyone! As you might have seen Tuscany’s amazing post about her experience working for the Community Forest, I am the other summer student! My name is Elissa, and I have had such an amazing time these past four months. This team is incredible and I have had the pleasure of learning so much from them. I am also very lucky to be able to stay and continue working for the Community Forest as a Junior Forester in the fall! I can't wait to take on more responsibility and continue building my knowledge and skills. I just recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Natural Resource Conservation within the Faculty of Forestry and it has been rewarding to put so much of what I learned into practice. One of my favourite parts of the summer has been getting to experience such a wide range of forestry work. I especially enjoy forest education and finding creative ways to share what I know with others. I’ve also loved working on regeneration surveys, road and block layout, GPS work and boundary painting, stream assessments, Douglas-fir beetle trapping and monitoring, and tree planting as well. I am looking forward to starting a project with Wildsight that will explore whether biochar can help conifers grow within logged sites. I’ll be researching, setting up plots, and monitoring soil conditions. Trees will be planted in the spring, and the progress will be tracked. I love working for the Community Forest because I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside so many amazing people and experience the many different pieces that go into managing our forests." We are beyond thrilled to have Elissa stay on with us as a Junior Forester. Her excitement and passion towards learning is the energy that each Creston Community Forest team member wishes to encourage and continue to mentor. Congratulations Elissa on becoming a team member with us and Wildsight! This news is a win-win for all involved.