Here’s a look at what’s been happening across the Kaslo Community Forest this month; from wrapping up another successful tree planting season to ongoing road construction, wildlife monitoring, and exciting recognition for our wildfire risk reduction work.

Woodland Operations

Keen Creek Road Access

The Keen Creek Road has been cleared as far as the Deer Creek Road (3.5 km) to allow tree planting crews access to the area.

Several large trees remain down around the 9 km mark, with the potential for additional blowdown further up the road. When Marsh Hawes returns in the coming weeks to complete road and trail rehabilitation work, the road will be cleared to the park boundary.

Monitoring Western Toad Habitat

A biologist recently visited the Keen Creek area to investigate Western Toad sightings around upcoming harvest blocks. Multiple ponds and wetlands were assessed, with both breeding adults and migrating toadlets observed. A report outlining recommended management strategies to help protect breeding habitat is currently being prepared.

Lost Ledge Road Construction Continues

Road construction at Lost Ledge continues, with crews completing switchback realignments and constructing a new spur road into the harvest blocks. Once road construction is complete, crews will begin brushing older roads to improve access throughout the area.

Harvesting at Lost Ledge is expected to begin in July or August, with all work being completed by Sunshine Logging.

Cooper Face Harvesting

Harvesting at Cooper Face is currently expected to begin in July or August, with operations being completed by Timber Ridge.

Enhanced Post-Harvest Cleanup at CP 56

Hazard abatement work has now been completed in CP 56, the block behind the dump that was harvested this past winter. The work was required to address excessive slash loads and meet legal safety requirements.

We’re also pleased to share that our application for FESBC funding was successful. Because this block is located within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and near critical infrastructure, additional cleanup work will now be completed, including:

• Mechanical piling
• Manual thinning of retained tree clumps

These treatments will further reduce wildfire risk while improving the long-term health of the stand.

Safety

We’re pleased to report zero safety incidents this month across wildfire risk reduction work, tree planting, road construction, and timber development activities.

Silviculture

Another Successful Planting Season

Tree planting has wrapped up for the year, with local contractor Wes Mooney planting 51,800 trees throughout the Keen Creek fire salvage area. These seedlings will help restore the forest following wildfire salvage operations and support the long-term health of the landscape.

Monitoring Forest Regeneration

Silviculture surveys continue across the licence area, including:

• Regeneration surveys in recently planted blocks
• Free-growing surveys in established plantations

Overall, plantations from recent years are establishing well. However, a small number of blocks have been identified that will require fill planting after trees were lost over the winter—likely due to frost or heavy snow.

Some sites may also require brushing treatments to reduce competition between young trees and surrounding vegetation.

Looking Ahead: Plantation Spacing

KDCFS is also exploring the development of a spacing program within selected plantations.

Spacing treatments would:

• Create additional local employment opportunities
• Improve ecological and wildfire resilience
• Remove diseased and undesirable tree species
• Reduce competition for light and water
• Increase the future value of the forest

Internal Updates

BCCFA Conference Highlights

Our manager attended the BC Community Forest Association Conference in Vernon this month.

During the field tour, participants explored several wildfire risk reduction treatments, including silvopasture—an innovative approach that integrates cattle grazing into vegetation management within fuel breaks. Conference discussions focused on:

• Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) and timber supply
• Delivering greater benefits to local communities
• Harmonizing stumpage rates between Community Forest Agreements, Woodlots, and First Nations Woodland Licences
• Wildfire risk reduction strategies

Jimi Crack Corn Named Project of the Year

We’re incredibly proud to share that the Jimi Crack Corn Wildfire Risk Reduction Project was recognized by FESBC as its inaugural Project of the Year.

Selected from projects across British Columbia, the award celebrates the project’s collaborative approach, bringing together multiple stakeholders and private landowners to improve wildfire resilience in the Kaslo area.

Wildfire Risk Reduction

Following the successful FESBC funding application, Kaslo Community Forest has secured $40,000 to complete enhanced post-harvest cleanup work in CP 56 along the True Blue Road.

The project will include:

• Mechanical piling of slash
• Manual thinning within retained tree patches
• Removal of unhealthy stems

These treatments will further reduce wildfire risk while improving overall forest health in an area located close to both the community and critical infrastructure.