Willow River Forest Project Gets 10 Working

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.-  Ten Prince George forest workers will be removing beetle-killed pine and improving silviculture conditions on a licensed woodlot that is part of the Willow River Demonstration Forest, thanks
to $155,519 from the Community Development Trust's Job Opportunities Program.

The workers will hand-harvest pockets of beetle-wood and other dead trees throughout the site, thereby reducing the spread and damage caused by other forest pests such as Western Gall Rust or Atropelis
canker, and supporting the forest's future growth regeneration.

The project will also include brushing and maintenance of four kilometres of trails, and may include fire hazard abatement work near the trails and main road.

The Willow River Demonstration Forest Society was awarded a woodlot licence in 1986. Harvesting activities on the woodlot have supported the demonstration forest's interpretive trail, highlighting different
ecosystems and explaining silviculture practices, regeneration, harvesting, and visual quality. The work is being undertaken by the Prince George Woodlot Association.

"The Job Opportunities Program is helping us meet several of our objectives," said Prince George Woodlot Association president Mark Clark. "We have been able to hire Prince George forest workers and use
their knowledge and skills to improve the health of the trees on our woodlot, and preserve the volume and increase the value of our mid-term timber supply."

A forest-dependent community or organization and forest licensees or forest contractors working in co-operation with a forest-dependent community, are eligible to submit a project proposal to the Job
Opportunities Program. To date, the program has approved over $13 million to support 79 projects, which will employ more than 620 forest workers in communities across the province.

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