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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
