The Cariboo forest sector is getting a $317,256 boost from the federal government’s Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program.
The funding announcement was made on March 19 by Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of energy and natural resources, as part of a total of $20 million destined for 67 projects across British Columbia.
Five projects within the Cariboo are included in this funding which aims to support the competitiveness and resiliency of the province’s forest sector by using innovative technologies in projects which will reduce emissions.
The Cariboo recipients are the Tŝilhqot’in National Government, the Tl’etinqox Government, Tŝideldel First Nation, Stswecem'c Xget'tem First Nation and the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government. Each recipient will put funding towards their proposed project, ranging from forestry development strategies to building the nations’ active participation in the region’s forest landscape plan.
Stswecem'c Xget'tem First Nation’s Forest Management Zoning project received $50,000 to analyze and assess forest ingrowth into grasslands, identify overly dense forests and to identify wildfire risk reduction opportunities.
Six projects in the Central Coast Regional District were also among those receiving funding, amounting to a total of $1,141,342.
The Nuxalk Nation received funding for three separate projects, including assessing the potential of building a community-based district biomass energy system to replace the use of fossil-fuels.
Bella Coola-based Totem Sawmill Limited Partnership received funding for two separate projects, which will allow the company to hire a new manager and identify steps to enhance financial and operational sustainability.
The Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation in Bella Bella received $533,000 for the construction of a value-added wood operation for local needs.
The GCWood program is intended to work towards Canada’s 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. In 2021, the program produced a report which includes an interactive map to record the state of mass timber construction in the country.
