Stuwix's fibre management structure reflects the cultural, environmental and social values while benefiting its communities economically.
Stuwix's vision is to promote healthy ecosystems and healthy independent communities, while integrating First Nations' traditional use and practices into forest management.
Stuwix is the leader in First Nations resource management. Stuwix manages NRFLs (non-replaceable forest licenses) on behalf of several local First Nations communities. In-house expertise allows Stuwix to complete all facets of managing these tenures, including resource planning, developing, permitting, marketing, timber harvesting, road building and silviculture.
A management committee, made up of representatives from the eight First nations, operates Stuwix Resources Joint Venture.
The certified area covers 80,000 ha of Crown land, with an annual cut of 194,653 m3. The primary species harvested is lodgepole pine. The logs are sold to local area mills for use in producing lumber, chips, and co-products. The top diameter log is salvaged and used for post and rails and pulp, and the remaining waste harvested for biofuels. Stuwix has taken a leadership role in capacity building for local First Nations' communities, ensuring First Nations employment in their company, and providing a ripple of economic benefits to local businesses.
Stuwix commenced harvesting and forest management operations in June 2005. Since that time, Stuwix has harvested 5.4 million cubic meters of timber on 14,556 hectares, planting over 14.8 million trees, which in turn contributes to the Merritt and surrounding economies in the form of payments to logging, hauling, roads, layout and development, and silviculture contractors.
Stuwix has created more than just economic opportunity. For many First Nations, the forest offers much more than logs. Through Stuwix Resources, First Nation's individuals, companies, and communities are participating in and helping care for all that the forest has to offier. Stuwix has developed a Forest Stewardship plan for its operating area, which goes beyond the expectations with respect First Nations consultation and protective measures dealing with water management, protection of wildlife habitat and biological diversity, soil conservation, visual resource management and protection of ecological, geographical, historical and culturally special sites.
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