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On July 2, the Creston Community Forest Board of Directors joined staff for a full-day field tour to experience firsthand the work taking place across three of our forest management areas in the Creston Valley. Led by our Forest Manager Daniel Gratton, the tour highlighted three very different projects that demonstrate the many facets of sustainable forest management: • Russell Creek/Birch Creek – an active forestry operation currently underway. • Kidd Creek – the ongoing wildfire salvage area following the 2025 wildfire. • Mount Thompson – a completed Wildfire Risk Reduction treatment area, including trail maintenance work from windfall downed trees. These three stops through Russell Creek/Birch Creek, Kidd Creek, and Mount Thompson, showcased active operations, wildfire recovery, completed wildfire risk reduction treatments, and recreation management. Along the way, every member of our field team shared their expertise. The field tour provided Board members with an opportunity to ask questions, walk through each project, and learn directly from the staff responsible for planning and implementing the work. For example, some of the questions led our Forest Technician Erich Endersby to explain the importance of maintaining 20-metre wildlife screens in areas with high ungulate and predator activity, the cultural importance of retaining and protecting White Pine, and why maintaining a diverse mix of tree species contributes to a more resilient forest. Summer students Elissa and Tuscany shared their knowledge about forest retention practices, explaining how leaving approximately 40% retention protects the forest floor, provides habitat for small wildlife, preserves seed trees, creates cover for larger animals, and helps build resilient forests for future generations. The tour also highlighted how recreation is incorporated into our forest management. Ongoing road maintenance and access improvements support the many people who enjoy the Community Forest each year, including hikers, hunters, mountain bikers, horseback riders, berry pickers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. 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 understanding of the work happening on the ground and helps ensure informed decisions for the future of our Community Forest. A strong united team leads to strong forests and community. Photo: 2026 Creston Community Forest Board Members and Staff during the July field tour.

Public Service Announcement: Due to an unprecedented amount of blowdown along the West Ridge Trail on Mt. Thompson, the trail is temporarily closed while our crews assess and remove a significant number of fallen trees. Recent trail inspections revealed extensive wind damage, creating hazardous conditions for hikers. While we know this trail is a popular destination for many residents and visitors, public safety is our highest priority. This temporary closure is strictly for safety and is not intended to limit access to the outdoors. We encourage trail users to enjoy our other Community Forest trails and the many wonderful hiking opportunities available throughout the Creston Valley while cleanup work is underway. We'll continue to provide updates on trail conditions through our website and social media channels as work progresses. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we restore the trail to a safe condition. For details on alternative trails, please visit: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/get-involved

Our Quarterly Newsletter is available to read with link below. Innovation, generations, education and community partnerships continue to shape the work of the Creston Community Forest. This month's newsletter highlights how forest management is evolving through exciting projects like the Fire for Healthy Soils initiative, where wood waste from wildfire risk reduction is being transformed into biochar with the potential to benefit both our forests and Creston valley farms. This issue also celebrates the students and young professionals who represent the future of our industry, from this year's Ralph Moore Memorial Post-Secondary Bursary recipients to our new summer student team members. You'll also find highlights from our recent community events, an inspiring story honouring a local multi-generational logging family connected to the Creston Community Forest, and an important bonfire safety reminder as we all do our part to help protect our forests this summer. IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER 1. Biochar & Wildsight’s Youth Climate Corps 2. BC Funding: Fires for Healthy Soil 3. Ralph Moore Memorial Post-Secondary Bursary Recipients 4. Introducing our Summer Students 5. Community Walk: Artist Walk with a Forester 6. A Forest and A Family: Part of a three-generation clan of loggers - Polzin Article 7. Open House - Thank You 8. Bonfire Public Service Announcement 9. Questions or Comments To read our Newsletter, click here: https://mailchi.mp/eb361a97c263/creston-community-forest-newsletter-june?fbclid=IwY2xjawS9B3JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQWGxUd05HSGdtSmtrQUJ4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoDrZSORcp0wU4rd4D92ARnjDHxDVwfZEIbKdSB0X0gKprWl2vzt5yRWqdix_aem_DRmvPYO8a70zv983lHcZTQ

Trail Update: The Thompson Rotary Trail has reopened, we will be working on the West Ridge Trail this week, and happy to share other Creston Community Forest trails are currently open for public use. This season has brought an exceptional number of windstorms, leaving more fallen trees across our trail network than we normally experience. While we've completed the work needed to safely reopen the Thompson Rotary Trail, our crews will continue clearing additional blowdown along the West Ridge Trail and other sections of the trail system over the coming days. If you're out enjoying the trails, please remember: * Be mindful of maintenance crews at work. * Watch for fallen branches or trees that may still be present, as some fallen trees and debris may still be encountered. * Thank you for sharing the trails while this cleanup continues. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue maintaining safe, accessible trails for our community and visitors to enjoy. West Ridge Trail: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/west-ridge-trail All our Creston Community Forest trails: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/get-involved

Saturday morning, the Creston Community Forest team took part in a full day of chainsaw safety and operational training with Macaulay Forestry. Professional development is an important investment in our organization. Through mentorship and hands-on learning, our staff continue to build the skills needed to safely manage forests, maintain recreation opportunities, and care for this community resource for future generations. Thank you to Macaulay Forestry for providing such valuable instruction and sharing your experience with our team. Photo: Jim, Elissa, Tuscany, Ben and Ewan. What a great day!

We are proud to have our team work alongside and partner with the supporting organizations on this innovative and educational Biochar project. "Wood waste is collected and loaded into specially designed kilns that convert wood into biochar..." To read the full article, "Can forest waste help build healthier soils?" released June 24, 2026 by Lorene Keitch, explaining our collaboration with Wildsight Youth Climate Corps, see the link below. "The Creston Community Forest is a local treasure. Spanning 21,000 hectares near the rural community of Creston, B.C, its network of trails makes it a popular recreation destination. The nonprofit-run forest also supports local jobs and generates revenue that’s fed back into the community. The creative and community-focused approach here makes it fertile ground to test out a technology that could help turn wood waste into an economic driver for the region. The problem Wood waste produced as a result of industrial logging operations or wildfire risk reduction efforts is often simply piled and burned. This practice creates smoke and releases greenhouse gas emissions with no beneficial outcomes other than getting rid of unwanted material. 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. Fire for Healthy Soils project In partnership with the Creston Community Forest (CCF) and the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Wildsight is exploring the transformation of wood waste into biochar — a carbon-rich form of charcoal that may improve soil health, increase water retention and store carbon. The Fire for Healthy Soils project began in 2025 with a feasibility study that found growing interest in biochar among farmers, foresters and local organizations, while also highlighting the need for local trials to demonstrate both biochar’s effectiveness and economic viability...." Full article: https://wildsight.ca/2026/06/24/can-forest-waste-help-build-healthier-soils/

We are proud to announce the Creston Community Forest Ralph Moore Memorial Post-Secondary Bursary Recipients, selected by our board members for 2026. The Ralph Moore Memorial Post-Secondary Bursary recognizes students who are pursuing careers that help shape a more sustainable future for our communities with their commitment to education, community, and environmental stewardship. One of this year’s Ralph Moore Memorial Post-Secondary Bursary recipients, Ewan Gratton, is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability (Environmental Conservation and Management). Through his studies and volunteer work, Ewan is exploring how sustainability connects with policy, community planning, resource management, and climate action. "Over the last three years, I have learned how sustainability intersects with policy, community planning, resource management, and climate action, which will all assist me in reaching my goal of becoming an architect. While at university I volunteered for an organization named CARE (Climate Action Ripple Effect), which aims to mobilize student and community climate action throughout the Okanagan. My role during this time was to work in a local middle school, helping students create sustainable projects.” Ewan's dedication to combining sustainability with practical solutions for communities exemplifies the spirit of the bursary and the values that Ralph Moore championed. Congratulations, Ewan! The second Ralph Moore Post-Secondary Bursary recipient is Annabelle Trobak, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation. Through her studies and hands-on conservation work, Annabelle is developing the skills needed to become a future leader in environmental stewardship and forestry. "I am the elected Conservation program representative on the Forestry Undergraduate Society, and am an active member of both [the university] Loggersports and Wildlife Clubs, while also working with the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada's Western Bat Program as a Field Research Technician." Annabelle's passion for protecting natural ecosystems and her dedication to serving her community reflect the values that Ralph Moore championed throughout his life. Congratulations, Annabelle, and best wishes for your continued success. We are proud to support local students who are turning their passion for the environment into meaningful careers that will benefit communities across British Columbia and beyond.

We've been wanting to share Danette Polzin's captivating story from The Trench Magazine and today is a perfect opportunity for a read over the weekend. 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. Photo: Haul in the family. A scene from a Hollywood set or everyday life for Kitchener B.C.’s Polzin family? In 1983, the story’s author, at age two, held by one of her grandparents. Her young mother and father are at the far right. The family have been loggers for more than 60 years. (FEATURE article in the Sep 3, 2025 magazine) 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. For the full article: https://www.thetrenchmag.com/stories/forestry-family?fbclid=IwY2xjawSuYf9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMQk5TZmcxTkdrTEFYUllic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHke3GUdJrNDA5eRncbGRwnyaD2zAq6nG5dAM4m_FKWzJna22kXQjpGwEw6mv_aem_H4bnglMDAihORTP2zxGBig

Public Service Announcement - Trail Closure. Due to the severe windstorm that passed through the Creston Valley last week, the Thompson Rotary Trail is temporarily closed while crews assess and remove numerous downed trees. We know this trail is a favourite destination for many residents and visitors, and we appreciate your patience as we work to make it safe again. This closure is strictly for public safety and is not intended to limit access to the outdoors. In the meantime, we encourage trail users to explore other Community Forest trails and the many excellent hiking opportunities available throughout the Creston Valley. We'll provide updates on trail conditions throughout June on our website and social media channels. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we complete the trail cleanup work. For details on alternative trails, please visit: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/get-involved

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 and helping to deliver forest education to both elementary and highschool students. Through hands-on field experience and community engagement, they will gain insight into sustainable forest management while contributing to important local projects. They have already been part of many projects we continue to work on as part of our forest management, along with other community organizations we dedicate our support. Welcome to the team Tuscany and Elissa!

We walked the same trail as they did in 1930. Our 'Artist Walk with a Forester' on the Thompson Pack Trail was a success today. It was fascinating for us to hear how artists see and experience our forests. Together, we discussed and walked the same trail built by foresters who travelled this rugged path to spend months stationed at the Mt. Thompson fire lookout. Using only hand saws, picks, and axes, they created the very trail we walked today. We stopped and took in the scent of the forest, the sounds of Sullivan Creek, and the filtering of the light through the forest canopy. Photos were taken of the tiniest of details to the largest of camera capacity. Among the forest education and bear aware workshop, laughter and insight was shared. We would like to send out a big Thank You to Dee Howard, Creston Coexistence Coordinator, for a hands on bear spray workshop that prepared us for bear encounters as well as what we can do to hike safely in our local forests. Thank You to our forest manager, Daniel Gratton, for not only the insight of the tiniest of plants but for sharing his knowledge of the many different species of trees that grow in this area, the history of the trail and for his time on a long weekend to explore the forest with a group of artists. Thank you to each of the artists, the three from Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI) that drove from Nelson early this morning, and the friends and family that joined them. This hike was part of the 2026 Community Project - Healing Forests: in honour of what forests give us. The Creston Community Forest, in partnership with the Tilted Brick Gallery, invites artists across the Kootenays to submit work for “Healing Forests: in honour of what forests give us,” a juried exhibition opening in September 2026. For all details and deadlines, please visit our website: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/artprojecthealingforests

'Artist Walk with a Forester' sign-up is now open. We invite artists to join us and our Forest Manager along with Dee Howard (Co-existence Coordinator), with an interactive bear spray workshop at the beginning of hike, Sunday May 17th at 10am. This hike will be capped at 20 people but a wait list will be available. To book your spot on the list: https://mailchi.mp/93f04707ce57/artist-walk The Creston Community Forest & Tilted Brick Gallery announce a 2026 Juried Exhibition About the Project: The Creston Community Forest, in partnership with the Tilted Brick Gallery, invites artists across the Kootenays to submit work for “Healing Forests: in honour of what forests give us,” a juried exhibition opening in September 2026. The exhibition explores the many ways forests shape our lives: ecologically, economically, culturally, emotionally, and recreationally. Artists age 16+ and working in any medium are encouraged to participate. This exhibition celebrates that work and invites artistic reflection on the value of forests in daily life. 1st Prize: $500 2nd Prize: $300 3rd Prize: $200