BC Community Forest Association 2022 Conference and AGM

Join us for the 20th Anniversary of the BCCFA and the 2022 Conference and AGM in Nakusp this fall! Along with our hosts the Nakusp and Area Community Forest (NACFOR) we look forward to welcoming our members, colleagues and partners to join us October 19th -21st.

This is our first in person event since 2019, and it will be great to be together again to learn, network and celebrate the accomplishments of community forests.  

Nakusp and the Arrow Lakes have a rich Indigenous history and are the focus of a number of shared territories. We respectfully acknowledge that Nakusp and the Arrow Lakes have long been an ancestral, traditional place for many First Nations. We are grateful to be able to meet, share our experiences and celebrate there.

A Special Event Wednesday October 19th

Continuing Professional Development Workshop

This year we have partnered with the Justice Institute of BC  to offer a separately ticketed training session that will introduce concepts and skills to increase effective communication and reduce negotiation impasse. The workshop is open to everyone. There is a fee in addition to the full conference ticket to participate. To register go to the registration page and put a check next to : Wednesday October 19th Continuing Professional Development. We welcome Alan Simpson MA, CCR, HRC, based in Lumby, as our trainer. Learn more about Alan here and on his website at www.alansimpson.ca

The workshop and the other conference sessions are eligible for credits for ABCFP members

Workshop Schedule

1:00 pm to 2:15  pm    Topic: Respectful Negotiation: increasing collaboration while limiting resistance and positions

2:25 pm to 3:35 pm     Topic: Focused Communication: skillfully navigating the space between us for the common good

3:45 pm to 4:25 pm    Topic: Personal Capacity Building: empowering self while practicing conscious empathy of others

The workshop is open to everyone. There is an additional fee to participate. To register go to the registration page

The workshop and the other conference sessions are eligible for credits for ABCFP members. 

Tuesday October 18 Pre-Conference Tours

We have also planned two pre-conference tours that feature Kootenay innovation - the Kalesnikoff mass timber mill and the fuel reduction treatments at SIFCo in Slocan Valley. The tours will be on October 18th. More information is in the registration package. You must be registered for the conference to participate.

Silent Auction

Items for the silent auction are gratefully accepted. It is always fun to see items from your home community! Funds raised will go towards student registrations.  

Join Us

Did you know that BCCFA members receive a discounted rate for conference registration? Check out the 3 different membership categories. Join us!

Questions? 

Contact smulkey@bccfa.ca

Our program is still developing. We will provide additional details, including speakers and panelists, in the coming weeks through the BCCFA newsletter and website.

Conference Program link

Accommodation Guide link

Please note that the Lodge at Arrow Lakes is sold out

Sponsor the Conference link

FAQs

What are my transport options for getting to the event?

Nakusp is 228 km from Kelowna Airport via Hwy 6 and includes a ferry crossing. It is 142 km from West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar via Hwy 6. Pacific Coastal Airlines flies into Trail Regional Airport which is 181 km from Nakusp. Nakusp can easily be accessed from Hwy 1, and is 105 km from Revelstoke, which includes a ferry crossing. If you are interested in carpooling, please make a request on the BCCFA facebook page. 

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

BCCFA Conference Coordinator ​Susan Mulkey 250 353 1477 smulkey@bccfa.ca

 Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

Yes, your registration is transferable. Please let us know in advance, if possible, so that we make up a proper name tag and participant package. 

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, that is not necessary. 

What is the refund policy?

A full refund, less the Eventbrite transaction fee, is available until October 10th at which time no refunds will be made. 

COVID-19 Policy

In accordance with the Province of BC’s health orders, the BCCFA will follow all government guidelines relating to Covid-19 at the time of the event. Current government guidelines can be found here

Learn More

About Nakusp and Area Community Forest link to NACFOR

The Nakusp and Area Community Forest Corporation (NACFOR) is owned by the Village of Nakusp and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors appointed by Council. The Community Forest Agreement was granted in 2007 in response to a community-led initiative for more control over the local land base. The CFA area is approximately 9185 hectares, comprised of eight geographically separate areas, mostly situated in the ‘front country’ along Upper Arrow Lake.

NACFOR’s mission is to provide social, environmental and economic benefit to Nakusp and area by sustainable management of the community forest land base. NACFOR is focused on building an entity that can continue to strengthen its economic position while building social licence. Along with forest development, harvesting and silviculture activities, NACFOR supports local recreation infrastructure and activities, wildfire risk reduction, education and community-led programs. Profits are shared back to the community through dividends to the shareholder and through local donations.

About Nakusp link to the Village of Nakusp

Nakusp is located in the West Kootenays, on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake in the Columbia Mountains. The area has a rich history of First Nations, mining, forestry, water transportation, hydro-electric development, and more recently, outdoor recreation and tourism. The Sinixt and the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the Sepwepemc, and the Ktunaxa all have asserted claims to traditional territory in the Arrow Lakes region. In the early 1800’s, Nakusp became a mining town. Not long after, logging and milling became cornerstones of the settler economy, and remain an important economic base for the community today. The Arrow Lakes valley is characterized by productive forests of primarily Douglas-fir, western larch, cedar and hemlock stands. A number of local hot springs along with the many great trail networks for biking and hiking bring many visitors to the valley.

Nakusp Image: Rory McLeod