The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) will receive $37 million in federal funding to support improved forest management and fibre utilization across British Columbia.

The funding was announced as part of a broader federal package to support Canada’s forest products sector.

Focus on Fibre Utilization and Wildfire Risk

FESBC said the funding will support two major program areas:

• wildfire risk reduction
• fibre recovery and utilization

The goal is to make better use of woody biomass generated through forest management and harvesting activities.

Reducing Open Burning

Some low-quality or damaged wood has historically been burned because it was too costly to transport or unsuitable for sawmills.

FESBC aims to redirect more of this material toward productive uses such as:

• pulp and paper
• bioenergy
• biomass products
• other fibre-based applications

This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from open burning while creating additional value from forest residues.

Support for Local Contractors

The funding could also help local contractors move more fibre from roadsides to processing centres.

Many contractors have faced pressure from sawmill closures and curtailments, making new fibre recovery programs important for maintaining jobs and forest-sector capacity.

Industry Insight

The funding highlights a growing shift in forest management: fibre that was once viewed as waste is increasingly being treated as a resource.

Better biomass recovery can support wildfire resilience, reduce emissions and strengthen regional supply chains for pulp, paper and bioenergy.

Final Thought

The $37 million investment gives FESBC new capacity to support practical forest management projects across British Columbia. If successful, it could help reduce wildfire risk while creating more value from underused forest fibre.

Last Updated on 12/06/2026 by Jota Machinery