Stewards of the Land: Mike Petrie

Some of Mike Petrie’s strongest lessons in forestry have come from time spent outdoors, on rivers, in communities, and alongside people who understand how closely forests, watersheds, and local economies are connected.

After more than 25 years working in forestry across British Columbia, Mike still comes back to a simple belief: good work, fairness, and follow-through are what builds lasting relationships. That belief shaped the establishment of Infinity-Pacific Stewardship Group, which Mike founded in 1999. Since then, his goal has been to build a team that works hard, acts with integrity, and delivers to clients, communities, and partners. “From the beginning, my belief has been that if you do good work, treat people fairly, and stay true to your commitments, long-term relationships will follow,” he shared.

Today, that same approach carries into Siya Forestry, a joint venture between the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and Infinity-Pacific Stewardship Group. As Managing Director, Mike supports strategic direction, partnership development, business growth, and the delivery of projects across OIB territory.

Building Siya Forestry took time. More than a year was spent working with OIB leadership to develop a structure that reflected shared values and a clear vision for the land. “That work created a strong foundation for Siya Forestry and helped ensure a smooth transition from concept to a successful operating business,” he said.

Today, Siya Forestry supports forestry work across OIB territory while helping create employment, training, and economic opportunities tied to the land. The partnership brings together professional forestry experience, Indigenous leadership, and local knowledge to support both current needs and future planning.

One of the things that has stood out the most for Mike is the openness of the relationship with the OIB. Through conversations with leadership, members, and Elders, the team has gained a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and ecological values connected to the land.

“From the beginning, the partnership has been about more than forestry projects or business opportunities,” Mike said. “It has been about building trust, creating opportunities, and developing a shared understanding of what responsible stewardship looks like.”

That kind of learning has shaped how the work is approached. Technical tools such as Geographic Information Systems, Light Detection and Ranging, remote sensing, and modelling all have value, but as Mike says, “They cannot replace local knowledge. There is no substitute for people who know the land, understand its history, and have a connection to the communities that depend on it”.

As forestry continues to change, he sees a stronger focus on wildfire resilience, ecosystem restoration, and landscape-level planning. He also sees First Nations taking a greater role in shaping land and resource decisions from the beginning, rather than being brought in after plans have already been developed.

For Mike, the most meaningful part of the work is seeing how forestry can support people and communities. “Watching team members grow in their careers, seeing communities benefit from meaningful work, and creating opportunities for future generations are the things that matter most to me,” he shared.

Through his work with Siya Forestry, Mike continues to support a model of forestry grounded in relationships, responsibility, local knowledge, and care for the land.