Robert W. Gray, Consulting Ltd., bobgray@shaw.ca 

Robert W. Gray is an AFE certified Wildland Fire Ecologist and the president of R.W. Gray Consulting Ltd. Robert has over 35years experience in the research and application of many facets of fire science, including fire regime reconstruction, fire behavior and effects analysis, national and international fire management policy, and hazardous fuel management. Most recently Robert has focused efforts on gaining a better understanding of fire behavior in mountain pine beetle impacted stands, the impact of past fires on future fire spread and severity, and fuel treatment effectiveness.  R.W. Gray Consulting Ltd. clients include: US Forest Service, Parks Canada, The World Bank, State of Washington, ?aq’am and Tsilhqot’in First Nation, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, B.C. Ministry of Environment, University of Washington, University of Idaho and University of British Columbia, several rural BC communities (Cranbrook, Kimberley, Vernon), and many others. 

ABSTRACT

Building Resilience in Dry Forests of the East Kootenays: Planning, Operations, and Lessons Learned. 

Julie Couse, Director, Lands and Natural Resources, ʔaq̓am  

Robert W Gray, Fire Ecologist, R.W. Gray Consulting Ltd 

ʔaq̓am, a First Nations community in the east Kootenay Region of southeastern British Columbia, is embarking on an ecological restoration program in the dry conifer forests on Reserve. Over a century of fire exclusion, coupled with rapidly changing climate, has resulted in forest patterns, structure and composition unsuited to withstand emerging disturbance regimes. In order to build resilience to drought, insects, diseases and fire, ʔaq̓am is proactively planning and carrying out treatments including mechanical thinning, prescribed burning and the mechanical and biological control of non-native invasive species. This presentation will detail elements of planning and operations while highlighting the many lessons learned along the way.