Managing “Mixedwood” Forests for Changing Times: Improving the management of mixed deciduous and coniferous forests in central and northern BC forests for diverse silvicultural and ecological goals
Thursday, November 4, 2021
8:30 am – noon
Conventional forest management and silviculture in central and northern British Columbia through the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century focused dominantly on a few coniferous tree species such as spruce and pine, and forest management goals emphasizing timber production. Deciduous species – mainly aspen – have been favored only in Northeast BC (such as the Peace and Liard River basins) where extensive aspen stands allowed the development of a wood manufacturing sector focused on this species.
Even in the BC northeast, though, true mixed-stand management of spruce and aspen has faced challenges for many reasons. In most other areas of central and northern BC west of the Rockies, silvicultural management of deciduous species and mixed deciduous-conifer species have faced a long and as-yet-unfinished uphill battle for recognition and acceptance in provincial silvicultural standards and accepted forest management practices.
Increasing, however, many trends and factors are increasing pressure for change in our traditional silvicultural practices and standards. These include: changing climate, greater public demand for increased ecological and species diversity in our regenerating forests, tightening timber supplies, increasing integration of First Nations values and interests in BC forestry, and changing social goals, including public resistance to certain vegetation management practices.
Our Fall 2021 NSC webinar series will examine the many reasons why silvicultural practices in these regions are starting to shift towards more management of mixedwood and deciduous Interior tree species, including trembling aspen, paper birch, and black cottonwood / balsam poplar. These NSC webinars will also examine how these new practices are being tried and implemented, successes and challenges to date, and the efforts being made to update provincial silvicultural standards.
Please join us for this engaging and important discussion!
Draft Agenda
8:30 am – Welcome and Introduction – Mike Jull/Dominique Bailey
8:45 am – Mixedwoods, by design or by accident they all count – a practitioner’s perspective – Walter Fister BCTS. (presentation)
9:30 am – Mixedwood Research – Richard Kabzems, FLNRORD (presentation)
10:15 am – Stretch break
10:30 am – Quantification of fuel loading and fire risk in conifer, mixedwood and deciduous stands deciduous stands – Andrew Peacosh/Che Elkin – UNBC (presentation)
11:15 am – Multi-layer surveys in mixedwoods – Allen Schaad – Technapro Consulting. (presentation)
12:00 pm – Wrap-up
Thanks to our sponsors
Gold
- Forsite Forest Management Specialists
- Pacific Regeneration Technologies (PRT)
- Reforestation Technologies Inc (RTI)
Silver
- Aleza Lake Research Forest
- DWB Consulting Services Ltd.
- Erafor Forestry Ltd.
- Folklore Contracting Ltd.
- Industrial Forestry Services (IFS)
- JRP Solutions
- Strategic Natural Resource Consultants
- TDB Consultants
- Vernon Seed Orchard Company
- West Fraser
Bronze
- John Prince Research Forest
- Terrace Community Forest