December 2018

Sustainable Forestry: the Swedish Model

Are there lessons to be learned from the Swedish approach to sustainable forestry?

Investment Co-op Lets You Bank on Your Community

Investment co-ops are coming to the Kootenays, as reported in this recent article by Claire Paradis, appearing in the December 13, 2018 edition of the Valley Voice. If you’re putting your money into GICs, term deposits and other investments, you probably have little or no idea where your investment funds are going. Even though…

Peter Kenyon to BC?

Asset based community development guru Peter Kenyon

Peter Kenyon, Australian-based founder of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S and renowned rural development leader, has made a lasting impression on scores of rural BC stakeholders over the past couple of years. BC Rural Centre Executive Director Gordon Borgstrom has announced Kenyon may be back in our neck of the woods soon. “It looks like Peter…

Deep Roots 2 — the Harrop-Procter Community Forest Story

Of the over 50 community forests in British Columbia, only one — in tiny Harrop-Procter, located on the rugged eastern shore of Kootenay Lake’s West Arm — has its own mill. With its emphasis on creating local employment and its commitment to ecosystem-based forestry, Harrop-Procter Community Forest stands as one of Canada’s most interesting —…

Deep Roots 1 — the Harrop-Procter Community Forest story

Harrop-Procter Community Forest, located on the rugged eastern shore of Kootenay Lake’s West Arm, is one of Canada’s most innovative — and intriguing — community forest operations. Harrop-Procter Community Forest’s 11,300 ha community forest tenure comprises 100-year-old mixed forests, domestic watersheds, and steep, sensitive terrain. The HPCF takes an ecosystem-based approach to management which is based…

BC First Nation turns residential school into resort

A B.C. First Nation near Cranbrook has turned a former residential school into a cultural tourism destination, reports Global News’Aaron McArthur.

BC Forestry Trade Mission Heads to Asia

More than 40 senior forest sector representatives are heading to Asia from Dec. 5 to 14, 2018, to grow markets for B.C. wood products. They will explore opportunities and strengthen relationships in China, Japan and South Korea — three of B.C.’s largest markets for wood products. “Our government is committed to creating B.C. jobs by…

Looking Back On 2018

Looking back on 2018, we’re proud to have greatly expanded the extent and breadth of our online — and live — efforts to help inform and inspire rural British Columbians and First Nations. We look forward to building on this solid base as we move into 2019 and beyond. From all of us here at…

Agri-Tourism Succeeds in the Central Okanagan!

The Challenge For the past 30 years, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) has faced challenges common to many agricultural communities, including higher production and land costs. Farmers were forced to supplement farm income with off-farm employment. By 2011, however, the area experienced an increase in ecotourists, particularly those seeking life-enriching vacations that involve culture, nature, the outdoors and…

Successful BC Farmers’ Market Farmers

In partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets has developed a resource guide to highlight successful farmers’ market farmers, and communicate their best business and operations management practices. The objectives of the resource guide are to strengthen the marketing skills of farmers selling at farmers’ markets. identify…