Smithers Community Forest

Smithers Community Forest in the Village of Smithers, British Columbia, Canada is a popular destination visited by outdoor enthusiast intended to provide information on how timber, wildlife and recreation values can work together. The forerst was established in 1988 on the southern slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain covering 4, 620 hectares.

The Smithers Community Forest enjoys an interpretive nature loop trail that explores different ecological habitats and leads to the Pine Creek Cross-Country Ski Trails neighbouring the Ski Smithers Ski Hill. The trail includes other trails within the outer loop route. It is a well marked trail system crisscrossing, back and forth, with connecting trails exploring over creeks and bridges passing through bogs and wetlands leading to a viewpoint of the valley.

The concept park is a working forest which involves activities like planting trees, thinning underbrush , maintaining wildlife enhancement projects, demonstration and activity trails. The glacial soil is, for a large part, responsible for the diversity in vegetation and wildlife living on the mountain. For example, climate and soil, have an impact on the type of trees growing at different points along the trail. The tree planting combined with older trees has developed various eco systems with various trees spread across hectares like Lodgepole Pine, Black Spruce, Hybrid Spruce, Black Cottonwood and alder trees.

While exploring the hiking trail keep an eye out along the route for various flora and fauna. It will be hard to miss the fern and moss on the ground... but more effort is involved in identifying shrubs like Devils Club, Thimbleberry and False Box... and herbs like Kinnikinnick, Dwarf Dogwood and Queen's Cup.

The activity park is best viewed in the spring and summer on foot with a plant and tree identification guide because of the various species living in the forest. The winter seasons, much of the landscape is covered in snow, including the trails. This attracts the cross-country and telemark skiers and snowshoers to the Smithers Community Forest.

The Smithers Community Forest interpretive Trail is an ideal route for birdwatchers also. There is a good variety of birds that visit the park including the Northern Goshawk, Boreal Chickadee and the Downy Woodpecker to name a few. Some of the other wildlife (the never feed or approach kind) has been reported in the area like the moose, coyote and bear.

Explore Smithers Community Forest in the Village of Smithers, British Columbia, Canada