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Forestry funding approved

The Forest Enhancement Society of B.C.’s (FESBC) is making $63 million available for projects that advance environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’s forests.

The society received proposal requests for almost double the amount available, with 132 applications requesting $119,103,098.

Of those applications, 45 were received from First Nations organizations requesting $38,744,613 for projects.

“We are delighted with the number of good quality proposals,” says Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC. “Our team of forest professionals guided proponents through the application process to ensure funding is well spent on projects that have meaningful impact. Our Society is now in a position to award new grants in addition to the already approved 171 projects valued at $163 million to organizations like community forests, municipalities, and First Nations who implement projects focused on a variety of treatments on Provincial Crown forest lands.”

Kozuki said the five purposes are the focus of this funding which are: preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires, improving damaged or low value forests, supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low value forests, improving habitat for wildlife, and/or treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases.

“We’ve seen the need for this important funding highlighted again in the applications submitted,” he said. “It is important that we use the funds entrusted to us to support projects that provide maximum benefits in terms of environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’s public forests.”



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