A joint venture of NK'Mip Forestry and Infinity-Pacific Stewardship Group
Earlier in March, members of the Nk’Mip Forestry team attended the Southern Interior Silviculture Committee (SISCO) Conference, held from March 3–5 in Kamloops, BC. This annual event brought together forestry professionals, researchers, and community leaders to discuss evolving silviculture practices and explore innovative approaches to forest management.
Peter Flett, RPF of Nk’Mip Forestry, alongside Breagh Kobayashi, RPF from Westbank First Nation’s forestry company, Ntityix Resources LP, delivered a presentation focused on reintroducing deciduous trees and culturally significant native plants within Syilx territories.
They shared insights from their work with Syilx communities in the Okanagan, including the Osoyoos Indian Band, where they lead efforts to restore Indigenous plant species on lands impacted by recent wildfires. The pair spoke about the importance of community engagement in every step of the process, from seed collection and growing to planting and monitoring.
Their presentation underscored how these alternative silviculture practices incorporate First Nations values into modern forestry decision-making.
This year’s conference theme, Improving Our Silviculture Practice, sparked conversations about balancing ecological, economic, and cultural priorities. The commendable management practices displayed by community forests were discussed throughout the conference and emphasized the need to expand this model of tenure across BC by increasing the number and size of community forests. Randy Spyksma from Logan Lake Community Forest noted during his plenary talk that integrating community priorities into silviculture is essential to building resilient forests.
Also joining the event were current and past students of the UBC Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program, who gathered with the Nk’Mip team for a group photo, capturing a moment of connection between future and current forestry leaders.
For Nk’Mip Forestry, the SISCO Conference remains a valuable space to exchange knowledge and foster partnerships that support healthy, sustainable forests across BC.
