Meet the Member: Speĺkúmtn Community Forest
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrea Blaikie, Executive Director of Speĺkúmtn Community Forest, to learn more about the people, purpose, and partnership behind this one-of-a-kind organization.
Tell us a little about the organization! What does the organization do, and who does it serve?
At its core, Speĺkúmtn is a forestry operation, but it’s not just about logging. Jointly owned 50/50 by the Líľwat Nation and the Village of Pemberton, the organization is responsible for the wellbeing of the forest within the tenure. This includes everything from wildlife habitat and watershed protection to wildfire risk reduction, community education, and long-term ecosystem health. All profits from the organization are returned to our communities, so on top of having local forests managed by those who know the land the best; its benefits stay local.
What inspired the founding of the organization?
Almost 20 years ago, conversations about corporate logging in the Pemberton Creek watershed raised a question: Why should outside companies manage our local forests without local input? Community members and leaders asked a different question instead: What if we did this ourselves?
In 1998, Community Forest tenures were introduced in BC to allow communities and First Nations to participate directly in managing local forests. Around that time, the Village of Pemberton explored creating a Community Forest to ensure local input on forest management.
How did it transition from an idea to a fully established entity?
The path from idea to reality wasn’t instant. The Village of Pemberton and the Líľwat Nation spent years in meetings, consultations, and a comprehensive feasibility study to explore the possibilities. When the findings were positive, the two communities formed a limited partnership in 2018. The Community Forest Agreement was signed in 2020, establishing a 25-year tenure with the Province, with the possibility of extension. It has seen a lot of growth since then, and we’re now finally shifting past the ‘start-up’ days when it comes to solidifying our systems and foundations, and are looking forward to continuing to engage with the community more in the coming years.
How does your organization contribute to our local Sea to Sky Community?
Speĺkúmtn is about more than trees. It’s about stewarding the land while listening to the community. Every major decision - whether it’s harvesting plans, archaeological studies, or field walkthroughs - is made with guidance from the Líľwat Nation. Local forestry crews often lead the work on the ground, carrying out fuel mitigation, pile burning, and forest management practices. We prioritize contracting locally whenever possible to create employment and opportunities for community members and local businesses.
The organization also invests in the next generation: in 2025 alone, around 200 students visited the forest, planting trees, learning about ecosystems, and exploring careers in forestry and other land-based professions. We also support students who are pursuing studies or training connected to the land with scholarships.
What is the biggest challenge your organization faces?
Balancing financial responsibility with community values is a constant challenge. Like many in the forestry sector, Speĺkúmtn navigates market fluctuations, economic uncertainty, and the impacts of climate change, all while staying true to its mission of local stewardship and community benefit.
How has your organization evolved since its founding?
What once felt like a small startup has been slowly growing into an operational stewardship organization. Governance has strengthened, stakeholder relationships have deepened, and updated land-use plans provide guidance for the next phase of integrated decision-making. Communication and community engagement are an ongoing focus - the more people participate, the better the forest reflects shared priorities.
Any last words or key messages you'd like to share about your organization?
Speĺkúmtn Community Forest is forestry with heart. It’s a living example of reconciliation in action, built on trust, shared leadership, and a long-term commitment to the land. Our work shows that forest management can be about more than timber, it can be about people, culture, and the future of the place we all call home.
Learn more about Speĺkúmtn Community Forest:
