Executive Director, BC Community Forests Association
Jennifer Gunter is the Executive Director of the British Columbia Community Forest Association (BCCFA), a member-driven organization that serves as the provincial voice and advocate for community forests. The BCCFA supports local decision-making and works to strengthen the success and long-term viability of community forest initiatives throughout British Columbia.
With more than 25 years of experience in community forestry and community economic development, Jennifer brings deep knowledge and practical insight of how local governance, forest stewardship, and rural economies intersect. She holds a Master’s degree in Resource Management from Simon Fraser University and is a champion of sustainable local economies and resilient forest ecosystems through community-based resource management.
Abstract of Presentation
Community forest agreements (CFAs) in British Columbia are long-term, area-based tenures that empower First Nations and local communities to steward and manage public forests for shared ecological, economic, and social benefit. This locally driven model ensures that decisions about forest management reflect community values and priorities, while supporting sustainable economic opportunities and reinvesting revenues back into communities.
There are 62 CFAs in BC, half of which are held by, or in partnership with, First Nations. CFAs are independent log sellers and have a strong record of meeting their AACs. With a new provincial mandate to expand the Community Forest Program, CFAs can be vital contributors to a diverse and resilient forest manufacturing sector. However, since log sales are the means through which they fund their operations, it is important for them to maximize value. According to the 2025 Indicators Report from the BC Community Forest Association, community forests supply fibre across the full spectrum of manufacturing provincially, with 46% of logs sold to large mills, 6% to small and medium-sized mills, 13% to value-added manufacturers, and 26% to pulp, pellet, and other facilities that utilize lower-quality fibre, and 9% to brokers. While markets vary greatly across the province, there is an average of five buyers per community forest and 72% reporting that 75–100% of their logs are sold locally.
But in some regions, there are very limited buyers, shrinking market opportunities regardless of community forest intentions. And many community forests report significant difficulty finding economically viable markets for lower-grade logs and residual fibre. High handling costs, long distances to processing facilities, and market demand are challenges.
Furthermore, most community forests operate at relatively small harvest volumes, averaging 27,000 m3/yr. A lack of economies of scale can make it difficult to support specialized markets. Despite these challenges, CFAs are actively working to maximize returns, with 76% sorting their logs to get the highest value. And several are looking at new opportunities that can be developed by joining together with other licensees to combine efforts. In so doing, they may be even better positioned to help sustain regional manufacturing capacity and ensure fibre reaches a wide range of producers.
In summary, community forests have an important role in:
- Supporting fibre access for diverse manufacturers: Independent log sales allow community forests to supply multiple buyers, including value-added producers that may otherwise struggle to secure fibre.
- Strengthening local economies: Revenues remain in the community and are reinvested locally rather than flowing to external shareholders.
- Improving fibre utilization: Community forests actively find markets for lower-value fibre—even shipping at a loss—to support pulp, pellet, and bioeconomy sectors.
- Increasing flexibility: Independence has the potential to allow community forests to adapt log marketing strategies to local needs, emerging markets, and community priorities.