'Namgis Forest Planning

During engagements, 'Namgis members have shared that they don’t always know where to access cedar and other medicinal plants like Devil's Club in the Nimpkish Valley.

Both red and yellow cedar can be found abundantly throughout the Nimpkish Valley. Generally, cedar thrives in moist environments and often in the shade of other trees. These optimal growth conditions support the development of healthy and vibrant cedar trees. When exploring the Nimpkish Valley, keep an eye out for areas with these characteristics!

Explore the Gwa’ni Project Engagement Site to learn more about what the Technical Team has been up to, and what is coming next for the Gwa’ni Project!

During community engagements, 'Namgis members shared about the many ways cedar is important in their lives. In response to this feedback, cedar has been added as a planning value of the Gwa’ni Project, helping to shape the ways that the project and its consensus recommendations strikes a balance between various land use planning considerations.

In the context of the Gwa’ni Project, cedar – wilkw, which is considered the “tree of life”, provides all its parts such as roots, bark, wood, and branches for use within ‘Namgis culture. It is the official tree of the Province and is a valuable resource throughout B.C.

This infographic shares all of the land use planning values guiding the Gwa’ni Project, including the newly added cedar value. Together, these values represent the different considerations that are guiding the project's decisions and actions.

The Gwa'ni Project is proposing the creation of the Gwa’ni Special Management Zone (SMZ). Special Management Zones are intended to prioritize other values and ecological integrity over timber. To help achieve these outcomes, we are proposing redesigning and increasing the amount of special management zones in the Nimpkish Valley to prioritize ecological integrity over forestry.

Strategies developed through the FLP, considered within the special management zone, will include:

• Smaller harvest areas
• Increased retention (more trees and patches left standing)
• Longer rotation between harvest (allowing trees to grow older before harvest)
• No herbicide use for forestry purposes
• Ending clearcut harvest (instead use retention silviculture systems and alternative approaches)

Through the Gwa’ni Project engagements, we have also heard concerns regarding the health and availability of cedar for future generations, given the cultural importance cedar holds. One of the goals of the SMZ is to allow more time for cedar to grow naturally and allowing it to take its time to grow.

‘Namgis forest values, trees, and plants are important elements being considered by the ‘Namgis Technical Team.

‘Namgis forest values are encompassing the duty to ensure that the cultural, environmental and spiritual vitality of the waters, lands, and resources are protected and used sustainably for future generations of people, plants and animals.

One of the very important forest species that is currently being discussed is cedar. Both red and yellow cedar live and thrive within various parts of ‘Namgis territory, and the roots, bark, wood, and branches of cedar trees are used for everyday uses as well as for ceremonial purposes.

Generally, cedar grows best in moist environments and when beneath the shade of other trees. These conditions allow for the trees to maintain healthy populations for generations of ‘Namgis to be able to sustainably harvest and use the bark for all different purposes.

Have any more questions about the Gwa’ni Project and Forest Landscape Plan? Email Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca in the Natural Resources Department.

Cedar plays a crucial role within ‘Namgis way of life, including the creation of textiles, building materials, and carving wood for transportation and canoes.

There are three key cedar strategies the ‘Namgis Technical Team is recommending:

• Conserved areas: Conserved areas are designated spaces set aside to safeguard and preserve specific species, habitats, and ecosystems, including the protection of cedar trees. They are designed to promote connectivity and biodiversity within ecosystems.
• ‘Namgis Conservation Network: spans whole length of the Nimpkish watershed, surrounding major water areas/lakes and including areas of good cedar growing sites. Creating a network of connectivity, to restore forests, with a particular focus on cedar.
• Retention and reforestation: When designing harvest areas, large cedar trees and cedar groves are identified and protected in patches along with other trees and plants. Cedar is also planted everywhere it is ecologically viable.

The Gwa’ni Project aims to reflect the importance of protecting special cedar areas and engaging in retention strategies while also allowing for responsible timber harvesting.

Have any more questions about the Gwa’ni Project and Forest Landscape Plan? Email Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca in the Natural Resources Department.

In addition to the proposed Lower Nimpkish area for conservation, the Gwa’ni Project is proposing the creation of a second conserved area. The proposed Upper Nimpkish area for conservation spans 880 hectares.

Here is more of what you need to know:

Ecological restoration

• The proposed Upper Nimpkish area for conservation includes many important areas including the mouth of the Yookwa River, which used to be a vital spawning ground for sockeye salmon. In part due to previous logging practices, the river has suffered substantial damage, disrupting its natural processes. In order for nature to restore itself, it will take time. The proposed Upper Nimpkish area for conservation aims to allow for that to occur.
• The Upper Nimpkish Conserved Area will contribute to stabilizing the existing 15-hectare Nimpkish River Ecological Reserve and its unique biodiversity
• The Upper Nimpkish Conserved Area will support:
  1. Key brood stock collection sites for the Gwa'ni Hatchery
  2. Salmon habitat restoration sites
  3. Protection of bear and bird species habitats

Recreation

• Accessible by road, the Upper Nimpkish conserved area connects to the road to Gold River, and routes to Woss
• The Vernon Lake campsite is also included in the proposed area

Have any more questions? Email Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca in the Natural Resources Department and learn more about the conserved areas and more!

The Gwa’ni Project is excited to share more about the proposed Lower Nimpkish area for conservation!

Spanning approximately 780 hectares, one of the primary goals of the proposed Lower Nimpkish area for conservation is to ensure the long-term preservation of 'Namgis cultural heritage, fish values and biodiversity.

Here is more of what you need to know about the proposed Lower Nimpkish area for conservation:

• Aims to protect and preserve important archaeological and cultural sites, including traditional village sites, fish weirs, and a defensive point
• The southern end is accessible by road and in general, the proposed area surrounds the Lower Nimpkish Provincial Park, which is currently difficult to access
• Close to three 'Namgis IR’s - Ar-Ce-Wy_Ee #4, Ches-La-Kee #3, and O-Tsaw-Las #5

The proposal to conserve this area removes this section of land from the area currently considered available for timber harvesting. To learn more, email your questions to Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca.

Building on what we’ve heard from members, the ‘Namgis Technical Team is actively working towards protecting wildlife, fish habitats, rare plant communities, and medicines of the Nimpkish Valley. As a key part of the project, we are pleased to introduce the ‘Namgis Conservation Network as a key component of work to increase existing ecosystem protection and to conserve key culturally significant sites.

Let's dig deeper into what conserved areas are and what they mean for the future of the Nimpkish Valley.

What is a conserved area?

The purpose of conserved areas is to protect cultural values, recreation areas, and manage the ecological integrity and biodiversity of existing habitats for present and future generations. By creating conserved areas, we are able to better preserve the homes of species of fish and wildlife from human activities such as timber harvesting. Examples of reasons for creating proposed areas for conservation include:

• Protecting habitat for fish species and wildlife
• Preserving rare plants and medicine
• Supporting ecosystems balance

Conservation is one of many important parts of the work that ‘Namgis is doing to update the Nimpkish Valley land use plan. Have any more questions about the Gwa’ni Project and Forest Landscape Plan? Email Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca in the Natural Resources Department.

Conservation is one of many important topics being discussed and considered as part of the work that ‘Namgis is doing to update the land use and forest landscape plans for the Nimpkish Valley. Creating conservation areas is often done to protect and manage habitat to benefit different species of fish and wildlife, and ecosystems in general. For example, conservation areas may be created to protect species at risk, spawning and nesting areas, migration routes, and more. Identifying conservation areas can also be part of a strategy to protect Indigenous values and recreational uses.

In the portions of ‘Namgis territory that make up the Gwa’ni Project area, many important areas exist. The creation of conservation designations over some of these areas would protect a range of special values, including areas that have high cultural significance such as ancient habitation sites, archeological sites, and unique landscape features like caves. Including portions of the forest ecosystem located near rivers and streams, referred to as riparian areas, would protect the connectivity of rich valley bottoms across the landscape, allowing many species of plants and animals to thrive. Such a conservation network would include important fish habitat and rare plant communities. Areas that have previously been designated for old growth management, ungulate winter range, or wildlife habitat are also being examined and included in the new vision for conservation management within the Nimpkish Valley.

Implementing the vision of a network of conserved areas will better ensure that ‘Namgis needs are met and will add value to future ‘Namgis descendants use and enjoyment of the Nimpkish Valley.

As part of the work to develop consensus recommendations, the Gwa’ni Project Technical Team is looking at feedback from members as well as data collected from other technical sources on how these important areas may best be protected through the creation of conserved areas or other means.

There is still time for you to get involved! Visit the Gwa’ni Project Engagement Website, email your questions to Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca, check out the posters that are up at Council Hall, and stay tuned for information coming about the community Open House happening soon in the Fall of 2022!