In recent years, timber poaching has seen a marked increase up and down the Pacific Northwest coast. From redwood burls in northern California, to maple, cedar, and Douglas fir, timber poaching hasbeen dubbed “a problem in every national forest.” This presentation explores the social and economic drivers behind timber poaching in the Pacific Northwest, which enters our homes in the form of firewood, furniture, and building materials. While poaching contributes to a lucrative trade, it’s also an ancient crime that’s deeply rooted in the identity of those that live and work in forests -- many contemporary poachers see their actions as following in a long line of protest. As such, we’ll dig into how and why timber poaching takes place, and learn how park rangers and resource officers are working to stem it.

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Presentations are also made available to remote participants through Zoom Webinar. Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.