Boundary Forest
Making 'Forests Forever' a Reality
Our dream: An eco-forest, run by locals, providing local jobs
Based in Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada, we are a non-profit, grassroots, citizen’s society advocating for culturally, ecologically, and economically sustainable forestry practices in the forest and watershed of the Boundary Area in the southern interior of BC (approximately 8300 sq km of mostly semi-arid mountains and forest – see map). We celebrate and honor the forests and wildlife in our region.
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The Boundary-Kettle watershed has been overlogged and needs a rest from clear cutting so that its full ecosystem function can be restored. To see how much logging has occurred here between 1965 and 2019, click on the link to this animated graphic: https://kettlelogging.netlify.app/
BFWSS REPORTS
In 2021, we published two reports detailing the problems in the Boundary forests and sharing our vision for a brighter future for our forests.
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OUR VISION
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A healthy natural environment in the Boundary supported by ecosystems that are able to perpetuate their natural functions, compositions, and structures.
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Citizen-involved, ecologically-managed forests that support the local economy.
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By 2021, citizens of the Boundary region will have their forests stewarded solely using principles of restoration forestry, that, in turn support an ecologically sound and vibrant watershed.​
ACCESS OUR REPORTS BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (5 PAGES) PDF: Brighter Future for Boundary Forests: The Case for Nature-Based Forestry Supported by a Community Forest Board
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FULL REPORT (172 PAGES) PDF: Brighter Future for Boundary Forests: The Case for Nature-Based Forestry Supported by a Community Forest Board
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FIELD REPORT (53 PAGES) PDF: Boundary Forests and Watersheds 2020
November 10, 2021: Our Forest Watch Dogs have spent the last week trying to stop BC Timber Sales from logging a wetland north of Grand Forks. But they were too late – the logging is already more than halfway done.
The Waterspout was a place where there was a year round source of clear, clean drinking water for local residents and people traveling through. The Waterspout flowed even during the worst drought period of 2021. But now the riparian zone that supports that flow has been crushed and ravaged by industrial logging.Come and see for yourself what has been destroyed by driving up the Granby River Valley north of Grand Forks at km 36 on the Granby Road.
How Much Has Been Logged?
Much of our watershed consists of tree plantations that are 50 years old or younger. With clear cutting, the forest floor loses its structure, composition, and function and it no longer manages our water for us.
Despite the devastating flood of Grand Forks in 2018, the BC government has not reduced logging in the watershed. Although it has the power to reduce the Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) in the Boundary watershed, it chooses not to do so due to pressure from industry. In fact, it has not even addressed the connection between the flood and forestry in any way whatsoever.
What should be done? Reduce the AAC, pause logging in the Boundary, shift to eco-forestry by subsidizing it and value-added mills, and create more local forestry and timber jobs in the process.
Thanks to GIS Analyst, David Leversee, for this map that demonstrates the over logging that has happened in the Boundary watershed from 1971-2017.​​ For a larger version click here.