Effect of silviculture treatments using forest influence strategy on non-timber forest products & values

Project Title: Effect of silviculture treatments using forest influence strategy on non-timber forest products & values

Recipient: Siya Forestry LP

Region: Kootenay

Theme(s): “Thin it to win it”; “Training tomorrow’s forest innovators”; “Success, failure, learn & tailor”

Awarded Amount: $42,650

Project Period: 2025-2027

Description: The goal of the project is to monitor over three growing seasons (2025, 2026, 2027) the impact of silviculture treatments involving partial cut (commercial thinning) and retention system (lead by forest influence) on the non-timber forest products values. The objective is to monitor the status of traditional food, medicinal plants, and/or marketable non-timber forest values in the treatment areas before and after logging completion. The main activities will involve a pre-logging inventory, monitoring program, and transfer of knowledge. This project will assess the effect of partial cut silviculture treatments on the cultural and economic value of diverse products within BC forests that have traditionally been overlooked and undervalued by government and forestry companies. The project will provide knowledge to all practitioner so that they can include these values in their silviculture management strategies/objectives and hopefully open additional cultural and economic opportunities in the future.