Lillooet, British Columbia Post-Fire Reforestation

Forest Overview
Located in south-central British Columbia, Canada

Lillooet is a small but historic and highly scenic town on the Fraser River, about 150 miles northeast of Vancouver, situated in an intersection of deep gorges of the Coast Mountains. The reserves and community of the Bridge River Indian Band, one of seven member bands of the Lillooet Tribal Council, is located on the northern end of the town of Lillooet. This location represents the junction of two major transportation corridors to the coast — Hwy. 12 and the Trans Canada Hwy. and Hwy. 99 — which is the most scenic route connecting the Lower Mainland and the Interior. The Bridge River Indian Bandland is owned and managed by the band and is actively involved in forest management and improvement initiatives to protect the lands that support its livelihood and culture.

Need for Trees

In 2004, several fires caused by lightning merged and burned significant portions of the Bridge River Indian Band’s reserve lands near Lillooet, British Columbia. The fire also burned more than 50 percent of the main community watershed of the Band and the Village of Lillooet. The Band has strong ties to its lands and forests, and reforestation of the affected areas is a high priority.

Planting and Impact

To complete reforestation of the burned area in the watershed, 186 hectares (approx. 458 acres) of land will be planted with Douglas fir seedlings. This reforestation project will help restore the lands for the social, economic, and ecological well-being of the Bridge River Band and the town of Lillooet.

About the Pledge