Harrop-Procter Community ForestIdeals into action

Erik Leslie, RPFHPCC Forest ManagerBCCFA Director

Outline1. Landbase, community, history,

forestry2. HPCC business3. Lessons

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The Harrop-Procter Forest11,000 ha100 year old

mixed forestsSteep, sensitive

terrainDomestic

watersheds

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The Harrop-Procter Community Diverse rural communityMixed economyIndependent, volunteer spiritConcerns about industrial clearcutting

1980’s and 90’s: The ‘War in the Woods’

Harrop-Procter Community Co-opOffered community forest in 1999Member-owned co-operativeObjectives:

Watershed protection Ecosystem-based forestry Local employment

Ecosystem-based forestryComprehensive reserve

network Riparian Old growthRare ecosystemsConnectivity

Zoning for multiple usesSite-sensitive logging,

partial cuttingClimate change

adaptation

The business—forestry10,000 m3 AAC100% in-house

planning, layout, supervision

Strong relationships with area mills

10 – 20% of logs to our mill

FSC certification

The business—value-addedHigher-value, unique

logs2 bandsaw mills, edger,

kiln, moulder Storage sheds, delivery

truckCedar and Douglas-fir

lumber; custom timbersPrimarily local retail

market, some regional/ wholesale

The business—overview $1,000,000 revenue

2011/12Small profits after

start-up losses Job creation Strong community

support

Lessons for communities Stay true to your

vision Stay focused Don’t take ‘no’

for an answer Grassroots, co-

operative approach can work

Lessons for everybodySmall community groups can succeed where

traditional enterprises fail Community forests can be a solution for

contentious public landsA crisis helps to mobilize supportThe CBFM risks are low, the potential

benefits large

Thank you!Erik Leslie, RPF

erikl@netidea.comwww.hpcommunityforest.org

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