Creston Community Forest Featured in Film Highlighting Wildfire Resilience and Local Forest Management

Creston, B.C.: The Creston Community Forest (CCF) is featured in a new film as part of a province-wide project led by the BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA), showcasing the work and impact of community forests across British Columbia. The film highlights how the CCF is managing its forests to support local priorities, including wildfire risk reduction, recreation, and long-term sustainability.

“We’re excited to share this film as a way to show the work that happens on the ground and what this community forest means to the community of Creston,” said Daniel Gratton, Registered Professional Forester and Forest Manager at the CCF.

Unlike traditional forestry models focused primarily on timber, the CCF has been taking a broader approach. Its work reflects the needs and values of the residents first, balancing ecological health, economic activity, and public use of the land.

“The interesting part about community forests is that these forests aren’t managed just for timber values, but for the residents here,” said Dave Pirro, Danger Tree Assessor, Tree Faller, and Wildfire Prevention Specialist with UNLTD Forestry. “We have people out here recreating including hunters and others, so managing all these different aspects can be challenging, but it’s important. It’s about looking beyond the monetary value and recognizing the other values that exist within our forests.”

A key focus of the work highlighted in the film is wildfire risk reduction. Crews are shown actively removing combustible material and managing forest density or the number of trees in a given area to reduce fire intensity and improve safety for nearby communities. These treatments are designed not only to lower wildfire risk, but also to maintain ecosystem health and support wildlife habitat.

Photo caption: An image from the Creston Community Forest video, filmed by Olam Films

The film also showcases how forest operations are carried out with a strategic local focus. By prioritizing local contractors, keeping wood fibre within the region, and supporting value-added processing, the CCF helps generate employment and economic activity within the area.

“We try to keep the fibre local and hire locals so the benefits stay local. At the end of the day, we’re not trying to maximize profit. We’re putting the money back into the things that support the local people,” said Tom Olenczuk, Chair of the CCF’s Board of Directors.

In addition to forestry operations, the CCF supports a range of priorities, including recreation and education. Areas like the Thompson Rim Trail provide opportunities for hiking and camping, while also demonstrating how forest management can enhance public access and experience.

“We focus on recreation, education, and wildfire risk reduction,” added Gratton. “It’s about making sure the forest continues to support the residents in different ways.”

The governance structure of the CCF reflects this community-first approach, with representation from local government, water districts, environmental groups, and recreation interests. This ensures that a range of perspectives are considered in how the forest is managed and how benefits are distributed.

The film also highlights the increasing importance of proactive forest management in the face of climate change. By taking a long-term view and adapting practices to local conditions, the CCF is contributing to more resilient landscapes and communities.

“Community forests like the Creston Community Forest show how local leadership can shape how forests are managed. It’s about making decisions that reflect what matters to the community while taking care of the land for the long term,” shared Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director of the BCCFA.

The Creston Community Forest film is available to watch at: https://youtu.be/ny0QTwbrr-I?si=YN6FZmDPK-u-41M2

About the BCCFA

The BCCFA is the collective voice of more than 100 rural and Indigenous communities across British Columbia dedicated to sustainable, locally driven forest management. As a grassroots, member-driven, non-profit society, the BCCFA promotes and supports community forestry as a strategy for ecosystem resilience, local economic development, and long-term land stewardship. Through advocacy, education, and technical support, the BCCFA helps communities exercise meaningful local decision-making over forests, create forest-based jobs, respect Indigenous rights and cultural values, and foster healthy rural economies and resilient ecosystems. For more information on the BCCFA and community forests in British Columbia, visit www.bccfa.ca or follow the BCCFA: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Blue Sky | YouTube

About the Creston Community Forest

The Creston Community Forest is a locally managed forest that operates with a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, community benefit, and sustainable economic activity. Guided by community values, the organization works to balance responsible forest management with ecological health, wildfire risk reduction, and opportunities that support the local economy. Through its work, the Creston Community Forest reinvests revenues back into the community, supports local employment, and collaborates with partners, including First Nations and community organizations, to ensure the forest continues to provide benefits for current and future generations. Visit https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/ or follow CCF: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn 

To book an interview with BCCFA or the Creston Community Forest, contact

Valeria Molina, Communications Liaison | communications@bccfa.ca | 250.879.3006