BURSTCommunity forest leaders, partners and supporters from throughout the province are meeting in Vernon this week.
The BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) will hold its 2026 Conference and AGM from June 3 to 5 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, BCCFA, executive director. “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 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 Wednesday.
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, BCCFA senior manager.