Western is sharing wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season with a contribution of $100,000 to support several Indigenous communities and community-based organizations in the areas where the company operates in British Columbia and Washington State. The financial support will assist communities and charitable organizations provide meals and toys for those who would otherwise go without.
The Town of Port McNeill expressed its appreciation to Western Forest Products for the Company’s contribution of 2.4 acres of property to the town at its September 12 Council Meeting. The three parcels of land, centrally located on Cedar Street adjacent to Rotary Park, are intended to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of the town’s population. Western representatives, Clint Cadwallader, General Manager Timberlands, and Brad McRae, Government Relations Director, joined Mayor Furney and Town Councillors for the land donation announcement at the meeting.
Students at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECUAD) received a lesson in sustainable design thanks to a lumber donation from Western Forest Products. For their final project in year three of the Innovations in Wood Design Program, students were challenged to create a flexible camping structure that provides seating, storage and shelter, while minimizing the environmental impact.
Hemlock from Western’s Value Added Division (VAD) made for the perfect lightweight base to the structures.
The new facilities will expand Western’s annual growth capacity by 750,000 seedlings, or an additional 20 per cent. The increased capacity will create more and lengthier seasonal employment opportunities at the Saanich Centre. And, in addition to being utilized for the reforestation cycles on Western’s tenures, the extra seedlings will support opportunities for special projects.
With the holidays around the corner, Western is embracing the spirit of giving with a donation of $100,000 to help provide meals and toys this season. By partnering with over 30 charitable organizations and First Nations communities, the financial contribution will benefit those in need across the areas the company operates in British Columbia and Washington State.
Western Forest Products Inc. today presented $10,000 to the Campbell River Search and Rescue Society in response to their appeal to raise funds for their hall expansion renovation.
The renovation project includes adding a vehicle bay to help store additional response equipment that is currently stored outside. CRSAR provides an important life-saving service to those who are lost or injured in the wilderness of northern Vancouver Island. Their team of dedicated volunteers are responsible for all land and inland waterway search and rescue for one of the largest response areas in British Columbia, from Oyster River to Nootka Island, north to Port Hardy and sections of the mainland coast. Western’s tenure spans much of CRSAR’s response area; as such, it provides access to and maintains many of the trails and recreation sites throughout the vast woodland in the region.
Western today presented a $10,000 cheque to TEAAM as part of our ongoing commitment to contributing to vibrant, heathy communities.
TEAAM (Technical Evacuation Advanced Aero Medical) is a not for profit society dedicated to providing leading edge medical care in remote, difficult to access locations through its membership-based program. The organization relies on donations to operate and recently opened its fourth base in Campbell River.
The investments are part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to support value-added manufacturing on the B.C. Coast and grow its value-added wood products business, all while continuing to improve Western’s long-term competitiveness.
The Western Forest Products Bursary for Women in Forestry will cover half of the tuition fees for the successful candidate enrolled in VIU’s two-year Forestry Resources Technology Diploma Program.