Hello everyone,
Twelve communities. Hundreds of kilometres. Countless conversations.
Some nights there were 40 people. Other nights there were more than 200. Forestry workers. Retired foresters. Scientists. Local government representatives. Community leaders. Farmers. Small business owners. Students. People from every walk of life.
Every community was different but one thing was remarkably consistent. People are looking for a solution. A real plan. Something practical and credible that addresses forests, water, wildlife, jobs, and communities together. It was impossible to miss.
Another consistent theme emerged during the tour. People weren’t looking for another issue to be concerned about. They were looking for a constructive way to be part of the solution. Many offered their time, their expertise, their connections, and their encouragement.
That gives me a lot of hope. The tour was never the end goal. It was the beginning of a new phase.
Over the coming months we’ll be sharing practical ways people can help move the New Forest Act forward. If you’d like to get started now, two places to begin are by sharing the New Forest Act handouts and letters in your community or taking part in the Constituent Liaison program.
We’ll also be following up with many people we met during the tour, continuing discussions with technical experts, and moving the New Forest Act proposal into its next stage of development.
Join us for the online premiere
Many people have asked when the full presentation would be available online.
I’m pleased to say it’s ready.
Thursday, July 9
7:00 pm (Pacific Time)
We’ll be premiering the complete New Forest Act presentation on YouTube – it was filmed in Campbell River and is co-presented by Dave Weaver and me.
A YouTube Premiere lets everyone watch together at the same time. I’ll be online throughout the presentation answering questions in the live chat, and Dave Weaver – our project advisor and one of the contributors to the New Forest Act – will also be there to answer forestry and technical questions.
If you attended one of the tour events, this is a great opportunity to watch it again or share it with friends, family, colleagues, local organizations, or anyone who couldn’t attend.
Use this link to watch on Thursday at 7pm or any day or time after that: https://youtu.be/ytRUWkvpE4w
After Thursday, the recording will remain available on YouTube for anyone to watch and share.
Your Support Made This Possible
Many people also contributed financially during the tour.
This project has always been independent. It has never received funding from government or industry. Every donation allows us to continue the research, videos, writing, meetings with decision-makers, and technical work needed to move the New Forest Act towards legislation. That independence means our only obligation is to the public interest and to the long-term future of BC’s forests.
Over the next little while I’ll be adding hundreds of new names from the tour to this email list. If you signed up during the tour, welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
Later this summer I plan to host an online province-wide update for everyone who is interested. I’ll share where the project is headed next and how people can contribute in practical, meaningful ways if they choose.
Breaking News
Today we received an invitation to meet with Ministers Neill and Parmar in August. Dave Weaver and I will brief them on the project, ask and answer questions, and let you know what was covered in that meeting.
This tour reminded me that British Columbia is full of thoughtful, capable people who care deeply about our forests, our communities, and our future.
In June, I met many of them.
Now it’s time to get back to work. We’ll keep you updated as things unfold.
Jennifer Houghton
Jennifer Houghton, Campaign Director, The New Forest Act Project
Boundary Forest Watershed Stewardship Society
Facebook group: BC Forestry Reform
