Features
B.C.’s forestry story: Winners of the COFI & CFI photo contest

The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) and Canadian Forest Industries are pleased to present the winners of the seventh annual community photo contest. 

This year’s contest saw entries from across British Columbia and brought to life B.C.’s forest sector, those who are passionate about making it great, and the low-carbon products that play an integral role in the fight against climate change. 

From innovative technology deployed in the field to cultural awareness training, we would like to thank those who shared a snapshot of B.C.’s forestry story.

The grand prize winner Thom Barker will receive a $500 gift certificate to Canadian Tire. Calvin Lee, Sally Enns and Leslie Joles have been selected as runners-up and will each receive a price of a $75 gift certificate.

Find the complete album of photos submitted for the contest here: tinyurl.com/3tmjudnd.

GRAND PRIZE

Thom Barker
Prince Rupert, B.C.
A group of foresters from Pacific Inland Resources participating in a cultural awareness event for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation raises paddles in a gesture signifying peace as the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre war canoe Nyïbegh pulls into shore at Lake Kathlyn, B.C.

One of the paddlers, Josh Hoffman tells CFI, “Education and awareness can play a small part in ensuring Indigenous knowledge, values and principles are reflected in local forestry practices. Active participation in reconciliation is certainly part of our role as foresters and fundamental to a sustainable forest industry.”

RUNNERS UP

Photo: Calvin Lee

Calvin Lee
Langley, B.C.
On one of our silviculture survey flights, we used the drone to access multiple blocks. It was able to fly down low to gather photos, giving a good representation of how well each block is regenerating. Photos are georeferenced, pinpointing location accuracy, and of high enough resolution to give info such as species composition, brush extent and a sense of how tall the regens are. 

Photo: Leslie Joles

Leslie Joles
Coldstream, B.C.
Eagle Rock Nursery in Armstrong, B.C. is proud to provide the seeds and seedlings necessary to sustain a renewable forest resource, maintain healthy ecosystems, and provide future generations with the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of our forests.

Photo: Sally Enns

Sally Enns
Vancouver, B.C.
A Glulam beam/panel project at Kalesnikoff Lumber’s vertically integrated, multi-species mass timber mill in South Slocan, B.C.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Photo: Katherine Hammond

Katherine Hammond
Victoria, B.C.
The Derek Doubleday Arboretum in Langley, B.C. The building is hand crafted post and beam construction by the family-owned Artisan Log and Timber Frame, operating in B.C. for almost 50 years. These buildings last for hundreds and hundreds of years. They are a testament to the beauty, function and durability of B.C. timber.

Photo: Liam Parfitt

Liam Parfitt
Prince George, BC
Early morning on the Tanizul forest license. Freya Logging’s wheeled harvesters working with Tanizul Timber owned by Tl’azt’en Nation to remove blowdown pine while leaving a forest with scientifically proven higher biodiversity vs. clear cutting.

Photo: Clint Laffin

Clint Laffin
Chilliwack, B.C.
Reflection of the kilns in a puddle at Kelfor Industries on a still September day.

Photo: Drew Kenmuir

Drew Kenmuir
Terrace, B.C.
A rectangular bark stripped western red cedar in Tsimshian territory. Cultural heritage resources like this can be co-located within Wildlife Tree Retention areas that manage for several FRPA values simultaneously.

Photo: Kyle Giesbrecht

Kyle Giesbrecht
Houston, B.C.
A beautiful sunrise on a crisp winter’s day.

Photo: Colin Pendziwol

Colin Pendziwol
Campbell River, B.C.
Morning sun warming a burned forest, still shrouded in fog. Photo taken from a drone while mapping the extent and level of destruction of the burn through a block near Williams Lake. This data was used to enhance the regeneration efforts to bring this disturbed site back to a flourishing forest.