Williams Lake, B.C. - Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) has been awarded the
Communitas Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility in the Ethical and
Environmental Responsibility category. The recognition highlights the organization’s innovative large-scale forest rehabilitation project in Pressy Lake, near 70 Mile, in the Cariboo Chilcotin.
The ‘Pressy Lake Pilot Project’ aimed to rehabilitate large areas severely impacted by the 2017 Elephant Hill wildfire, with funding support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and Natural Resources Canada. The project focused on recovering fibre from fire-affected areas and enhancing ecosystems by removing dead vegetation and dry fuels prone to ignition. The work used green retention techniques to protect living plants and employed community members. CCR released three videos to share the story of the project's initiatives from trying something new, to sharing what was learned, to the regrowth of the area through tree planting.
"The success of this pilot project demonstrates the potential for similar initiatives to be replicated and we hope it inspires First Nations communities to take a leadership role in forestry," said Percy Guichon, elected Councillor with Tŝideldel First Nation and Executive Director of CCR. “The award-winning videos we produced and communication we share help raise awareness and show how
sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand.”
The Communitas Award celebrates organizations that exemplify outstanding environmental practices and green initiatives. By prioritizing sustainability, these organizations benefit their employees, their communities, and the environment. The Communitas Award honours those who demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability, setting a positive example in the industry.
“Our team was excited to learn about this award honouring our environmental stewardship work,” Guichon added. Now, and for generations to come, we hope to see how our innovative approach to forest rehabilitation positively impacts our communities and beyond.”
About Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd.
Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation was formed by Tŝideldel First Nation and Tl’etinqox Government in the spring of 2017. The joint venture was originally formed to address the 100,000 hectares of
dead pine left in the Chilcotin region and to rehabilitate those stands into productive forests. The fires in the summer of 2017 amplified the need to address heavily burned forest stands with minimal economic values. CCR’s mission is to coordinate and implement large-scale forestry programs and initiatives within the traditional territories of the Tŝideldel First Nation and the Tl’etinqox Government, generating economic, social, and environmental benefits. For more information: www.centralcr.ca
For more information and to set up an interview with CCR, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison | aleece@amplifyinc.ca | 250.574.0221
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