Habitat for Humanity

Tolko has partnered with Habitat for Humanity since 2006, when a team of Tolko employees travelled to take part in the international associations rebuild efforts near New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.  This past year Tolko donated products to help Habitat for Humanity Kelowna build two duplex homes for low income working families with children.

Fire Preparedness

Most of Tolko’s operations are located in rural, forested areas. Ask anyone who lives in these communities if forest fires are an imminent risk and they will likely say “yes”. Tolko and its employees work with communities as part of fire suppression and prevention processes.  For example, Tolko is to “selectively harvesting” Douglas Fir stands close to Williams Lake to create a fuel management area of approximately 100 meters width centered on planned roads. The principle is that any fire will slow down in the selectively logged area and the combination of the road and the fuel management area will effectively stop any fire. Support has been received from the local interface committee because the plan addresses recreational use, habitat, aesthetics, plus fire prevention.

Public Advisory Groups (PAGs)

PAGs have been, and continue to be, a key community partner. They help us develop and evolve our Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plans as a metric and serve to understand how the public perceives our forest management and practices. In 2010, the Nicola Thompson Fraser PAG was recognized by the National CSA SFM User Group Chairman’s award for their leadership and personal commitment. It is groups such as this PAG that help us deliver on our sustainability commitments.

Forest Education

Tolko has actively supported Forest Education programs across the company for years. We participate in public presentations in the schools, build partnerships with other local licensees, school districts and provincial government agencies to deliver a structured program through the use of a forest educator.