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CCR and NRCan partnership boosts reforestation efforts in Chilcotin

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are marking another year of successful collaboration in reforestation efforts in the Chilcotin region. Since receiving $10 million from NRCan’s 2 Billion Trees Program in 2022, CCR has been leading the charge in forest rehabilitation and sustainable ecosystem management.

Daniel Persson, CCR’s forestry superintendent, emphasized the significance of NRCan’s support and said, “NRCan is a key partner in our programs as they support our restoration efforts through its 2 Billion Tree program. CCR was one of its first partners nationwide, and we have had a positive collaborative relationship since.”

With support from NRCan’s 2BT program announced by Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in 2022, CCR has been leading a wildfire/mountain pine beetle reforestation project and a wildlife habitat restoration project. Through these initiatives, CCR will plant 9.3 million trees in priority forest areas within the traditional territories of the Tŝideldel First Nation and the Tl’etinqox Government.

“CCR aims to help restore devastated forests from wildfires and mountain pine beetle in the Chilcotin by planting trees in areas where nature is struggling to regenerate by itself,” Persson said.

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At the core of CCR’s reforestation efforts is a commitment to genetic diversity and adaptability in tree populations. By adhering to the Provincial Seed Transfer guidelines and implementing meticulous seed collection and preparation procedures, CCR ensures the deployment of resilient and site-appropriate seedlings, essential for the long-term health and resilience of British Columbia’s forests.

Moreover, CCR also collects cones from healthy local natural stands for seeds to ensure they have the right seed for the right site.

“This year, we will be conducting a trial planting roughly 100,000 Aspen seedlings in a community fuel break we created last year to better protect communities from potential wildfires. Aspen and other deciduous species in leaf-out typically have a higher moisture content and provide more shade, helping create a cooler and more humid environment: these characteristics can help slow or divert the fire path,” said Ann Nielsen, CCR’s silviculture manager.

It’s important to understand that CCR doesn’t just plant seedlings and move on to the next site. CCR conducts a survival survey the following growing season after planting and again after three years to ensure seedlings have established well and have met survival objectives.

NRCan has been a key collaborator in CCR’s planting initiatives, and CCR’s work has helped to align with the federal government’s goals to sequester more carbon in forests and foster a more sustainable future for Canada’s forests. Together, CCR and NRCan set shared key performance indicators to work towards common objectives such as area of forest being rehabilitated and the amount of work created, with NRCan’s funding playing a crucial role in helping achieve these objectives.

As they continue their efforts in the Chilcotin region, CCR remains dedicated to nurturing and restoring British Columbia’s forests for future generations. With NRCan’s support and shared vision, the team at CCR is optimistic about its capacity to address future challenges and capitalize on opportunities to enhance forest health.

“We are very excited to have this partnership in place and look forward to many more years of collaboration,” shared Persson. “The recent 2023 wildfires have increased the need for these initiatives and emphasized that partnership is critical, allowing us to impact the areas that require the most rehabilitation in a good way.”