Vanderhoof, B.C. –  It’s the day Vanderhoof’s mayor says he’s been waiting for.

The provincial government has issued Vanderhoof a community forest. Located 15 kilometres north of town, the agreement covers 23,181 hectares and has an initial term of 25 years and is replaceable for another 25-year term after 10 years.

Community forest agreements are long-term, area-based tenures designed to encourage community involvement in the management of local forests.

They are managed by either a local government, community group or First Nation for the benefit of the community.

The Vanderhoof Community Forest has partnered with local forest company L&M Lumber Ltd to help support the agreement

“What an amazing day,” says Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen. “We have been working on realizing a community forest since I was first elected mayor some eight years ago. We are incredibly excited about the opportunities that a community forest brings.”

He says those opportunities include “long-term employment opportunities, increased self-reliance, and the kind of local-level decision making that leads to sustainable forest management”

According to the Province, there are 57 community forests issued or communities that are close to getting one in B.C.