Osoyoos Indian Band Highlights Growing Role of Forestry in Fall Newsletter
Oliver, B.C. - The Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) has released its Fall 2026 Forestry Newsletter, sharing progress in forest rehabilitation, wildfire preparedness and the OIB’s growing role in forestry across its territory.
“Our forestry work continues to grow in both scale and responsibility,” said Dan Macmaster, Head of Forestry for Nk’Mip Forestry. “We are building the skills and experience to take on more of this work while making sure Osoyoos Indian Band values and community priorities are part of how forestry is planned and carried out.”
Forest rehabilitation continues across areas affected by wildfire and other disturbances. More than 900,000 trees and native plants were planted across OIB territory in 2026 through Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program. This work is supported by local seed collection and the recently opened Osoyoos Forest Nursery, which is growing seedlings for reforestation efforts while creating local employment, training, and skills development opportunities.
Wildfire preparedness remains another priority. More than 80 hectares on the OIB Reserve have been assessed for wildfire risk reduction, alongside FireSmart work around Band-owned homes and continued fuel reduction work at the Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area near Green Lake Road.
“The Osoyoos Indian Band is taking a more direct role in forestry planning and management,” said Macmaster. “A new partnership agreement with the Gorman Group for Tree Farm Licence 59 means the Band, through Nk’Mip Forestry, will be involved from the beginning of the forest planning process. The work includes cultural assessments, field reviews, planning and monitoring, while creating opportunities for Osoyoos Indian Band members to gain hands-on forestry experience.”
The newsletter also includes community-focused work, including invasive plant removal on the OIB Reserve and Forestry Business Partnerships Day, which brought together community members, students and forestry businesses to connect around employment, training, and future opportunities.
Together, these updates reflect the continued growth of OIB’s forestry work and its role in caring for the land, creating opportunities for community members and building forestry capacity for the future.
Read the Fall 2026 OIB Forestry Newsletter:
For more information or an interview with Nk’Mip Forestry, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, 250-574-0221 | aleece@amplifyinc.ca
About Nk’Mip Forestry
Nk’Mip Forestry LLP was formed in 2014 when the Osoyoos Indian Band strategically decided to pull together their forest management efforts toward the rising need for sustainable economic development, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation within the community through forestry. Nk’Mip Forestry is a major contributor to the local economy and is committed to applying Okanagan cultural and environmental values in all operations. Fully OIB-owned, the company ensures that licensed forestry areas are harvested sustainably, using methods that help preserve the forest and all its ecological attributes for future generations. Learn more: www.nkmipforestry.ca
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