The Harrop-Procter Community Forest Cooperative manages 11,300 hectares of Crown Land and runs a small sawmill. We practice ecosystem-based forestry and sell lumber products directly from our mill in Harrop.
Our mandate is to practice socially and environmentally progressive forestry that protects local watersheds while creating sustainable jobs in our community.
Situated between the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, the tiny villages of Harrop and Procter are hard at work developing embracing a new approach to forestry in British Columbia.
The goal of ecosystem-based planning is to leave a fully functioning forest after logging takes place. Harrop-Procter was one of the first community forests in BC with ecosystem-based plans at both the landscape and timber stand levels.
Situated between the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, the tiny villages of Harrop and Procter are hard at work developing embracing a new approach to forestry in British Columbia.
The goal of ecosystem-based planning is to leave a fully functioning forest after logging takes place. Harrop-Procter was one of the first community forests in BC with ecosystem-based plans at both the landscape and timber stand levels.
Situated between the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, the tiny villages of Harrop and Procter are hard at work developing embracing a new approach to forestry in British Columbia.
The goal of ecosystem-based planning is to leave a fully functioning forest after logging takes place. Harrop-Procter was one of the first community forests in BC with ecosystem-based plans at both the landscape and timber stand levels.
Since 1999, our purpose is to manage the business of the community forest and the milling division - Harrop Procter Forest Products - and hold the Community Forest Agreement.
HPCC is a community service co-operative that is owned by 300 + members. Decisions are made by the volunteer Board of Directors on behalf of the membership and are to be for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Why Become a Member?
Watershed Protection ~ Community input & oversight of forest operations in the Harrop Procter area
Make it work ~ broad base of support and participation creates leverage
Have your say! ~ Membership offers you the opportunity to vote
Keep informed! ~ Receive updates and newsletters
Memberships are currently only available to local residents of Harrop & Procter, BC. To request a membership, please email us below with your Name and Address.
E-mail for Membership
Volunteer
Every organization needs growth to prosper – join, learn and become part of a special community-driven endeavour.
Call Us
(250) 229-2271
E-mail Us
The Harrop-Procter Watershed Protection Society
The Harrop-Procter Watershed Protection Society (HPWPS) was formed in 1996 and nearly 300 residents joined to support the intention to seek protection of water resources and, at a minimum, control over how harvesting might occur.
Years of effort - research, planning, and bureaucratic interaction - resulted in the Society compiling a detailed 300 page application for a community forest license in early 1999. The license, one of the first in the province was granted a year later.
The society currently conducts a water monitoring program on the four major creeks within the community forest. It also provides oversight and guidance regarding forest operations planning and execution and supports internal and external research and educational initiatives.
2024 HPWPS Board of Directors
Left to Right: Bruce Lane, Margot Webster, Jordon Beaumont-Ferri, Bill Macpherson, Marjorie Davidson, Deb Crichton, Neal Dykes, Rich Newton, Ruth Prosser, Andrea Kortello, Diane Gamble.
Not Pictured - Jim Yule, Gwen Davis & Tim Davis.
2024 HPWPS Board of Directors
Left to Right: Bruce Lane, Margot Webster, Jordon Beaumont-Ferri, Bill Macpherson, Marjorie Davidson, Deb Crichton, Neal Dykes, Rich Newton, Ruth Prosser, Andrea Kortello, Diane Gamble.
Not Pictured - Jim Yule, Gwen Davis & Tim Davis.
2024 HPWPS Board of Directors
Left to Right: Bruce Lane, Margot Webster, Jordon Beaumont-Ferri, Bill Macpherson, Marjorie Davidson, Deb Crichton, Neal Dykes, Rich Newton, Ruth Prosser, Andrea Kortello, Diane Gamble.
Not Pictured - Jim Yule, Gwen Davis & Tim Davis.
Outreach & Extension
Recent conference presentations include:
Kootenay Conservation Program Fall Gathering (Nelson, BC, 2018)
Kootenay Wildfire & Climate Change Conference (Nelson, BC, 2018)
Forest Management
Harrop-Procter Community Forest employs an ecosystem-based approach to forest management. This considers a broad range of ecological and social forest values.
We approached Silva Forest Foundation, a leader in ecosystem-based forest conservation and management, to develop an ecosystem-based plan.
We approached Silva Forest Foundation, a leader in ecosystem-based forest conservation and management, to develop an ecosystem-based plan. Based on the principles of landscape ecology and conservation biology, it takes a precautionary approach to protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, old growth forests, and biodiversity.
We approached Silva Forest Foundation, a leader in ecosystem-based forest conservation and management, to develop an ecosystem-based plan. Based on the principles of landscape ecology and conservation biology, it takes a precautionary approach to protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, old growth forests, and biodiversity.
Our detailed analysis of our landbase indicates that 70% of our community forest is not suitable for timber management, either because it is too sensitive, contains critical wildlife habitat, or is economically inaccessible.
Our detailed analysis of our landbase indicates that 70% of our community forest is not suitable for timber management, either because it is too sensitive, contains critical wildlife habitat, or is economically inaccessible. Riparian and headwaters areas, old growth forests, potentially unstable terrain, low productivity sites, and caribou habitat are all reserved.
Our detailed analysis of our landbase indicates that 70% of our community forest is not suitable for timber management, either because it is too sensitive, contains critical wildlife habitat, or is economically inaccessible. Riparian and headwaters areas, old growth forests, potentially unstable terrain, low productivity sites, and caribou habitat are all reserved.
HPCC utilizes a broad range of silvicultural systems and harvest methods, based on forest type, terrain, site sensitivity, soil moisture, and forest health considerations. All of our harvesting operations utilize partial cutting techniques to retain mature trees dispersed throughout the harvest area.
HPCC utilizes a broad range of silvicultural systems and harvest methods, based on forest type, terrain, site sensitivity, soil moisture, and forest health considerations. All of our harvesting operations utilize partial cutting techniques to retain mature trees dispersed throughout the harvest area.
HPCC utilizes a broad range of silvicultural systems and harvest methods, based on forest type, terrain, site sensitivity, soil moisture, and forest health considerations. All of our harvesting operations utilize partial cutting techniques to retain mature trees dispersed throughout the harvest area.
The majority of our harvesting to date has been high-retention single-tree or small group selection, with 60% retention of canopy trees. All of our logging attempts to mimic natural forest disturbances.
The majority of our harvesting to date has been high-retention single-tree or small group selection, with 60% retention of canopy trees. All of our logging attempts to mimic natural forest disturbances.
The majority of our harvesting to date has been high-retention single-tree or small group selection, with 60% retention of canopy trees. All of our logging attempts to mimic natural forest disturbances.