First Nations forestry crews in the Chilcotin are leading critical work to restore the land and reduce wildfire risks. Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) crews are thinning and pruning young pine forests that have regrown since the devastating 2003 wildfires. Without management, these dense forests could fuel future fires.
With support from the B.C. government and the Eniyud Community Forest — a partnership between the Tŝideldel First Nation and Tatla Resource Association — CCR crews are helping forests become healthier, more resilient, and more diverse. Their work also creates better habitat for wildlife such as moose, mule deer, and caribou.
The project provides steady employment and hands-on training for 23 Indigenous crew members from several First Nations, including Tl’etinqox, Tŝideldel, and T’exelc. Many live in remote communities where stable work can be hard to find.
CCR leaders say this effort shows how Indigenous-led forestry can care for the land, support families, and leave a lasting legacy of healthier forests for future generations.
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