Thursday June 16, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
To reduce wildfires in higher-risk communities, the B.C. government is providing $25 million in new funding to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), which is a Crown Agency.
This investment will support community projects that reduce wildfire risk and enhance wildlife habitat, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, forest recreation and ecological resiliency. It’s part of the overall wildfire management approach in BC.
Applications for this funding will open on Monday, June 20, 2022.
“Our government is working together with First Nations and local communities to reduce the risk of wildfires so we’re better prepared for climate change,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
Since 2017, FESBC has funded the use of 4.8 million cubic metres of wood fibre that otherwise would have been burned in slash piles or abandoned. The combined GHG benefits of FESBC fibre use, tree planting and fertilization projects is 5.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent sequestered or avoided, which has the same GHG benefit as taking 1.1 million cars off the road for a year.
The programs provide jobs as well as reducing community risk during wildfire season.
===== Read the full BC Ministry of Forests news release (June 16, 2022).