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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

At the beginning of each wildfire season, the Creston Community Forest and partners host an Open House for the community. The Creston Valley FireSmart Resiliency Committee attended the Open House hosted by the Creston Community Forest and the Creston Valley Farmers Market. Each year the goal of the Open House is to bring together wildfire and wildlife practitioners and educators, government representatives, local forestry licensees and community members to discuss, learn, share and explore what work is happening in the Creston Valley and how you can play a part in making your home, community, and forest more resilient to wildfire. We are proud to share this video highlighting conversations from our Open House. We, along with the Creston Valley FireSmart Committee members, had fascinating conversations with the community. It is our way of creating community in our community forest. For more information on the Creston Valley FireSmart Resiliency Committee: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/crestonvalleyfiresmartresiliencycommittee

A rainy Sunday morning gives us a chance to grab a coffee and listen to a favorite podcast. Here is what we are listening to, Episode Description - This week the podcast returns to a wildfire conversation with fire ecologist, Jen Baron from the University of British Columbia. In the last episode the causes of severe wildfires was explored. Now, this podcast episode turns the focus to the strategies for managing the severe wildfire factors within our control. (Link below.) "The Clear Cut steps into Canada’s forests and unpacks expert viewpoints on Canada’s forest management systems and what needs to change. Together, we’ll go on a journey to better understand how forestry in Canada works, and how we got to this point in the first place." Podcast available on TuneIn, Alexa, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, I Heart Radio, and many other options. For Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5z4QWNSB9HmOwaJaZK926c?si=kZmBx-vLRdGI_s69IAEQPg&fbclid=IwY2xjawFG5OhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbxpuy9LFjlqmqc_jx180JtY2YynZyLxpIPWqHx6nbvpkrCxFP6fvf4gYg_aem_H6O8JOCqNvpcZC7D8Vca4Q&nd=1&dlsi=ef686fe4ce814d9d

With rain in the forecast and low fire danger class rating we are planning to burn small debris piles created by our wildfire risk reduction projects. This will depend on the area experiencing good or fair ventilation for smoke to disperse well. Please expect to see smoke in the areas of Arrow Creek and Goat Mountain in the coming days. We are working to reduce the fuel load near communities prior to high fire danger season. Thank you.

Open House Invitation We invite you to join us at our Open House and meet the ten partnering Creston Valley FireSmart Resiliency Committee members (CVFRC), ask questions, and discover how you can reduce wildfire risk at home.     Date: TODAY - Saturday, May 25th, 2024     Time: 9am - 1pm     Location: “Market Park” at the Creston Valley Farmers' Market.     What to expect: Interactive booths with each committee member, bring the kids to take a photo with a fire truck, and more importantly, learn what’s going on in your community about how you can create a plan to become FireSmart.     For full details about the committee and open house, view our NEW webpage here: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/crestonvalleyfiresmartresiliencycommittee

Please submit comments to: infoshare@crestoncf.com CCF-CP 35 BLK 07 THOMPSON HP MAP_Final CCF CP 35 Block 7 CCF Community Referral Letter CCF - K3D CP 35 BLK 07 COMMUNITY REFERRAL MAP

Returning to the community forest is our seasonal Forest Technician, Ashlyn Yanciw. Ashlyn just completed a Diploma in Environmental Assessment and Restoration from Lethbridge College. Also returning is Erich Endersby who just completed his Diploma in Forest Technology from Selkirk College. Erich accepted a permanent full time position with the community forest and will now be registering with the Forest Professionals of BC to obtain his designation as a Registered Forest Technologist. The community forest has also hired Eva Sommerfeld who will be working as our newest forestry summer student. * We will share more about these three Creston Community Forest team members throughout the summer.

Save the date! Join us at our Open House: Saturday, May 25th., 9am-1pm, Creston Valley Farmers' Market At the beginning of each wildfire season, the Creston Community Forest and partners host an Open House for the community. The Creston Valley FireSmart Resiliency Committee will attend the Open House hosted by the Creston Community Forest and the Creston Valley Farmers Market. The goal of the Open House is to bring together wildfire and wildlife practitioners and educators, government representatives, local forestry licensees and community members to discuss, learn, share and explore what work is happening in the Creston Valley and how you can play a part in making your home, community, and forest more resilient to wildfire. Head to our webpage for more information: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/crestonvalleyfiresmartresiliencycommittee

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.