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The BC Community Forest Association Hosts its 2026 Conference and Annual General Meeting in Partnership with the Monashee Community Forest
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Vernon, BC - The BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) will hold its 2026 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Vernon, BC, from June 3-5, 2026. During this three-day event, community forest leaders, partners, and supporters from across the province will gather to connect, collaborate, and explore the challenges and opportunities for community forests in the years ahead. This year, attendees will also tour the Monashee Community Forest, a partnership of the Splatsin First Nation and the Village of Lumby.
“We are looking forward to welcoming all delegates to this event, held for the first time in Vernon,” said Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director, BCCFA. “It’s an opportunity to bring people together at a critical time for our sector when communities are navigating wildfire risk, their role in taking action on climate change, and economic uncertainty, with a focus on sharing practical solutions and innovations that are already making a difference in our province.”
Key themes for the 2026 Conference and AGM will include wildfire risk reduction, stewardship, community forestry, and the future of forestry, including a keynote session with Helene Marcoux, Director of the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, focused on strengthening public understanding of forestry.
A highlight of the event will be the field trip hosted by the Monashee Community Forest on June 3. Participants will have the chance to observe forest management practices firsthand and learn how these on-the-ground, local strategies are being applied to reduce wildfire risk and support forest health in the Thompson Okanagan region of the province.
The theme of the field tour is ‘Silvopasture in Action - Collaboration, Innovation, and Climate Adaptation’ which will showcase the innovative partnership between the Monashee Community Forest and Coldstream Ranch, where forestry and ranching are being integrated to manage multiple values on the same landscape. Participants will explore how silvopasture, which combines tree growth, forage production, and livestock management, is being applied to support water protection, soil health, biodiversity, wildfire risk reduction, and economic resilience. The tour will also highlight practical lessons, including silviculture approaches, grazing design, and strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions.
“We’re proud to welcome attendees of the BC Community Forest Association’s Conference to the Monashee Community Forest. This is a chance to show how we manage the land in a way that reflects Splatsin values and our responsibility to future generations. We’re honoured to share that perspective with others in the sector and lead the field tour,” said Kyle Runzer, Registered Forest Technologist, Forestry Manager, Splatsin Development Corporation.
Beyond the technical aspects, the tour will also examine the governance and partnership model behind the project, offering insights into how collaboration across sectors can build trust, share risk, and support more integrated decision-making.
“This conference is about looking ahead, sharing ideas, learning from experience, and strengthening the role community forests play in building resilient landscapes and communities,” added Susan Mulkey, Senior Manager, BCCFA.
The BCCFA gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors for the 2026 event, including platinum sponsors Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada and Cherryville Community Forest; gold sponsors Forsite, the Regional District of North Okanagan, Cabin Resource Management, DLA Piper, BC Council of Forest Industries, Ratcliff, and PRT Growing Services; silver sponsors Forest Professionals British Columbia, Econ Consulting, BC Forest Safety, Kintera (formerly DWB/Chartwell), Fink Machine Inc., Cheakamus Community Forest, and Stella-Jones; and bronze sponsors Phoenix Connect, and Frontera Forest Solutions.
People wishing to attend the BCCFA conference and AGM can register online at https://reg.eventmobi.com/2026-bc-community-forest-association-conference-agm
For sponsorship opportunities or alternative payment options, please contact Susan Mulkey at smulkey@bccfa.ca
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
To book an interview with the BCCFA, contact
Valeria Molina, Communications Liaison | communications@bccfa.ca | 250.879.3006
