Aerial forest nutrient management in the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District

This notice is to inform the public of the aerial Forest Nutrient Management (FNM) project that will occur in this area mid to late October, for approximately 3-4 days, weather permitting. Signage will be posted on roads to inform the public of any safety hazards or delays. 

The forest nutrient management plans for this project have been shared with and approved by local First Nations, forest licensees, and the Ministry of Forests. 

Aerial forest nutrient management is funded by the Forest Investment Program (FIP), formerly, the Forest Carbon Initiative funding mechanism, (FCI) Forest Carbon Initiative - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) and the Land Based Investment Strategy. The project is administered by Blackwell Consulting Ltd. under contract with the Province of British Columbia.

Listed below are the objectives and benefits of forest nutrient management:

1. The primary objective is to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) as a means of mitigating climate change. The application of nutrients will increase the amount of available nutrients, which will improve tree growth and storage of atmospheric carbon, allowing trees to store up to 55 tonnes of carbon per hectare over a 10-year period. A secondary objective is to improve timber volumes and value for future harvesting. 
2. The Chief Forester’s guidance recommends that stands remain unharvested for at least 10 years after treatment. However, to support operational flexibility, some degree of harvest within 7-10 years may be considered by the Natural Resource District with appropriate rationale. Forest Nutrient Management plans are shared with forest licensees prior to treatment to ensure that they do not conflict with harvest plans. The increase in volume can be up to 30 cubic meters per hectare in a 10-year period.
3. In addition to increased timber supply and carbon storage, forest nutrient management also has economic benefits. The employment and GDP impacts of forest nutrient management are 4.5 full-time equivalents (FTE) and $2.7M per 10,000 hectares of treatment, respectively.

More information about the forest nutrient management program

Overview maps, information about the nutrients, standards, an informational brochure, and a sample site map and prescription

Specific block information can be provided upon request.  

For more information, please contact George Simpson, RPF, Forest Investment Specialist at: George.Simpson@gov.bc.ca; Blackwell Consulting Ltd. at: Agnieszka Duszynska, RPF a_duszynska@bablackwell.com or Sara Barker, RPF, Ministry of Forests at: Sara.Barker@gov.bc.ca.