Deep in the upper Skeena watershed, I was on what felt like a never-ending hike through the dense forest. We had been traversing for over an hour since we left the road and climbed deeper into the woods. Branches whipped my face and clung to my clothes as I pushed through. My ankles flared from the terrible rubbing of my brand-new caulk boots, and every step felt heavier than the last. I fell behind as my co-workers, Michelle and Rebecca, along with Brian (K’uukw’lik’ii’sxw), the Lax Yip Stewardship Coordinator from our community partner Wilp Gwininitxw — moved ahead with seemingly effortless strides.

It was late June when we were dropped off in the middle of the wilderness via helicopter for a week of fieldwork. We took this trip to measure how much carbon is stored in this vast forest. This was part of our larger effort to verify that protecting these lands provides significant climate benefits, in addition to cultural and ecological benefits.

In 2023, our team worked remotely with Wilp Gwininitxw to support their application to the federal government’s Nature Smart Climate Solution Fund. A Wilp is a house group, the fundamental unit of Gitxsan legal, social, economic, sustenance and governance systems. Gwininitxw was successful in securing this grant, which brought in additional capacity and resources necessary to advance the permanent protection of the Gwininitxw Protected Area. Since then, we have continued our collaborative relationship, but we have not been to the land in real life... until now.

There’s more... 

It’s here! The Indigenous Housing Landscape report is now available on our website. This first-of-its-kind report offers the first visual map of the civil society actors addressing Indigenous housing needs. It highlights where supports are strong, where they’re missing, and how collaboration can help close the gaps. The report is intended for continued conversation and collaboration. We invite you to explore it and share it with your peers.

Jerry’s Success Story: Alert Bay Homeowner’s Renovation Journey

Jerry Olney lives in Alert Bay, off the northern tip of Vancouver Island, BC. He had many difficulties retrofitting his home until he signed up for Ecotrust Canada's Home Energy Savings Program. Michael- Anthony Lutfy, our program manager, helped Jerry get several grants totalling over $23,000 to install a new heat pump, insulation, and an air exchange system. Jerry is now saving money on his monthly energy bills, and he's living more comfortably in his home.

A Cross-Sector Clarion Call for Tenant Heat Protection in BC!

Ecotrust Canada, along with 12 other organizations and elected officials from eight municipalities—including councillors from Vancouver, North Vancouver, Port Moody, New Westminster, Squamish, and Penticton—are calling on the BC Government to ensure tenants' right to cool their homes and protect them from extreme heat. We shared the joint statement at the annual UBCM Convention, where municipal leaders are discussing climate adaptation and housing issues in the province.

This story was featured in the National Observer, "Pressure mounts to protect BC renters from extreme heat."

Photo taken in the spring of 2025, when the Energy team visited our community partner, ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation on ‘Ya̱lis (Alert Bay, Cormorant Island, BC), to do a video about their retrofit program. This memorial is outside the U'mista Cultural Centre.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30, we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Take time to learn about the stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and the ongoing legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada.

There are many ways to engage with this day, including:

1. Wear an orange shirt and support the grassroots campaign founded by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad.

2. Read the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and consider how you or your workplace can act.

3. Check out the Beyond Conservation Toolkit presented by IPCA Knowledge Basket. This toolkit offers practical guidance for non-Indigenous supporters and partners to build trust, honour Indigenous rights and knowledge, and support Indigenous leadership in caring for lands, waters, ice, and beings of their territories.

4. Attend a local ceremony or gathering organized by Indigenous people in your community.

5. Know whose land you reside on and how you can support their local communities and survivors (visit native-land.ca).

Welcome César Estevo, our new Technical Lead for the Climate Resilience Program. Passionate about the environment and wildlife, César brings an international perspective from Brazil, Portugal, the US, and now Canada. Before joining Ecotrust Canada, he worked as an analyst for the Government of British Columbia, providing technical and policy support and guidance for biologists across the province.

Robyn Ashwell joins as a Facilitator for the Community Energy Program. She is designing projects to improve energy security through retrofits in BC's manufactured home parks. Her work addresses interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges. Read her recent report and recommendations on Manufactured Home Retrofits in BC.

Now Hiring: Socioeconomic Lead, Indigenous Homelands Program

Join our passionate team as our first-ever Socioeconomic Lead. We’re seeking an economic and finance expert to develop holistic cost-benefit frameworks, support circular economy projects, and create accessible financial tools for Indigenous communities. Indigenous candidates and those from rural BC communities are prioritized. This is a part-time position (20hrs/week). Apply by Sept 30.

30 Years of Proving the Possible 

A series of reflections from our past three decades of work.  

2001-2017

Forest Stewardship Council Program

A Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo on a wood-based product guarantees that the wood was responsibly harvested, with attention paid to a wide range of factors such as communities and workers’ rights, a healthy environment, and full recognition of Indigenous rights and title.

From 2001 to 2017, Ecotrust Canada became a leader in FSC certification in British Columbia, addressing market access challenges for small operators through the creation of the Eco-Lumber Co-op in 2001. By 2004, Ecotrust Canada held two FSC group certificates, dramatically reducing certification costs for smaller operators.

The program grew from 25 businesses in 2009 to 58 certified members by 2013 in BC, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Key achievements included certifying 89,012 hectares of coastal forests and supporting 55 wood product businesses.

The program concluded in 2017 after a successful audit. Rather than leave members to pursue costly individual certification, Ecotrust Canada transferred the group to Sustainable Northwest in Portland in 2018, ensuring continued support for certified businesses under experienced FSC management.

P.S. If you like this newsletter and want to support it, there are two ways you can do that.  

1) Forward this newsletter to a friend with an invitation to subscribe right here. 

2) Hit reply and let us know what you thought about the blog about our on-the-ground Climate Resilience work.

Proving the Possible

Ecotrust Canada works with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities toward building an economy that provides for a healthy and resilient natural environment; sustainable and abundant energy, food, and housing; prosperous and meaningful livelihoods; and vibrant cultures and inclusive societies. We call this approach, building an economy that provides for life. 

Thank you for your continued support!

The Ecotrust Canada Team