ForestWorks

John Rustad relates his personal story in forestry first as a working professional and later as BC’s minister responsible for the portfolio.

Gary Bull is a forestry scientist and researcher at UBC - one of the world's top forest specialists with a long history of working at the global scale through the UN, WWF, World Bank, and more. Join us for this episode as we speak to Gary about the true story of old-growth in BC and how the industry is adapting to climate change and other challenges.

ForestWorks sat down with Robert Dennis, elected Chief Councillor for the Huu-ay-aht First Nation from the west coast of Vancouver Island. He has served his nation for decades and recently helped lead a significant investment in a forestry business in Huu-ay-aht .

On this week’s show ForestWorks’ speaks with Conrad Browne, Teal Jones’ director of Indigenous Partnership and Strategic Relations. Conrad brings us an important perspective on the year of protests on southern Vancouver Island – the company, the logging, the First Nations, and the misinformation. Teal Jones is a value-added manufacturer that employs more than 1,000 British Columbians, most of those in milling and manufacturing. It does not ship any raw logs. Most of its logging on Vancouver Island is in second-growth, and the company has invested millions to build a mill specialized in maximizing value from smaller second-growth trees. It has a history of respectful engagement with First Nations in whose territories it works. So, why is the company facing blockades? Listen to find out.

The United Steelworkers Union has played a key role in BC forestry, representing thousands of workers across the industry. This week, we are joined by local union leaders Jeff Bromley and Brian Butler.

In this edition of ForestWorks host, Stewart Muir sits down with veteran Registered Professional Forester Murray Wilson to speak about the role historical forest management is playing in worsening forest fire seasons and the changes that could help. In recent years BC’s forest fires have pushed more carbon into the atmosphere than all other sources in the province combined, so it’s an important challenge.

Charlie Rensby is a Village of Burns Lake Councillor and has worked with Stand UP BC Forestry to organize rallies in support of responsible forestry in the province. Join us this week as we talk about advocating for the interior forestry sector. 

ForestWorks spoke with Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog about forestry’s role in his community, and the controversy surrounding this industry on Vancouver Island. 

Mayor Krog has been steeped in these issues for decades, both as a provincial MLA and now mayor of what really is a forestry community. Even if that’s perhaps not widely recognized by all – we’ll get into that. 

Mayor Krog was first elected as an NDP MLA representing his community in 1991. 30 years ago. He served in several roles in the Legislature, including NDP caucus chair when the NDP formed government in 2017. He stepped back from provincial politics when Nanaimo city hall hit something of a crisis and needed him. He ran for mayor, and was elected to that role in 2018. That step over to municipal politics showed real commitment to his community, and standing where he’s most needed. Since then he’s provided a steady hand on the wheel for that community, which is BC’s 4th largest urban centre after greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, Victoria, and Kelowna.

This week ForestWorks is joined by David Elstone - forester; past executive director of the Truck Loggers; and editor of View from the Stump, a monthly newsletter providing a grassroots perspective on forestry in BC. 

In this week's episode of ForestWorks host Stewart Muir speaks with Carl Sweet, director of the BC Forestry Alliance and a forestry equipment salesperson in Campbell River. They discuss the swelling voice of grassroots forestry workers, including those in the supporting indirect jobs like his.

Guest: Carl Sweet
Host: Stewart Muir

Premier John Horgan clip source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUjPIkGVeI&t=2088s