Video Series: Get to know the Mission Municipal Forest
Welcome to the Mission Municipal Forest!
The Mission Municipal Forest - officially known as Mission Tree Farm License #26 - is a living legacy of sustainable forestry, community stewardship and natural beauty. Managed by the City of Mission's Forestry Department since 1958, it stands as one of the few municipally operated forests in all of Canada.
Located in the northern region of Mission, British Columbia, the forest surrounds the Steelhead area and stretches north of Stave Falls, and the western includes the western shores of the Stave Reservoir. Spanning approximately 10,900 hectares, this diverse landscape is composed of 12% municipally owned land, and 88% provincial Crown land.
We respectfully acknowledge that the Mission Municipal Forest is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Sto:lo people (Katzie, Kwantlen, Leq’a:mel, Matsqui, Musqueam, Peters, Seabird Island, Semihamoo, Shxwowhamel, and Sumas).
Stewardship & Sustainability:
Since 1958, the City of Mission has been a leader in Sustainable Forest Management. Guided by Management Plan 10, and the 2022- 2027 Forest Stewardship Plan, our department oversees a wide range of activities that balance ecological health, economic sustainability and public enjoyment:
- Sustainable timber harvesting
- Reforestation and tree planting
- Road construction and maintenance
- Forest fire prevention and safety
- Recreational development and forest interpretation
With an Annual Allowable Cut of 60,000m³ - equivalent to 80 hectares per year (0.7%) - our operations are carefully planned to preserve the forest's long-term health while supporting local industry and recreation.
Since 2023, Mission's forestry operations have been SFI® Certified - a mark of excellence in sustainable forest management that reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility, community engagement and continuous improvement.
Our Mission Statement:
“Mission’s Municipal Forest is a community forest operating under the highest possible standards. The Mission Municipal Forest exists for the people of Mission, by creating a sustainable balance of various economic, social, scientific and environmental forest values as well as providing memorable forest experiences to Mission residents and its visitors”.
Contact Information:
| Forestry - General | forestry@mission.ca | 604-820-3762 |
| Director of Forestry | Chris Gruenwald | 604-820-3764 |
| Forestry Technologist | Jeff Mortimer | 604-820-3784 |
| Forestry Technologist 2 | Bari Hanus | 604-814-1269 |
Office Hours:
The Forestry Department public office hours are available: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Please note due to the nature of work, there may not be someone available in the office at all times – please call to confirm if you are coming from out of the City or make an appointment at 604-820-3762. For other general inquiries, please email: forestry@mission.ca.
Forestry Updates:
Devil’s Lake Loop trail and 79 Grind trails are now open in Stave West. Limited parking is available, please do not park in a way that block safe industrial use on Florence Lake Forest Service Road or in front of gates at any time. Vehicles prohibiting access to any roads or gates will be towed. If parking is full, please try to visit on a future date or time. For more trail information, please visit our Forest Trails page.
Storing firewood by your deck? Gutters filled with leaves? Rural property owners on the forest interface can learn about and apply the principals of FIRESMART BC to their properties. View the handy FireSmart Your Home [PDF/1.8MB] guide!
Target Shooting Notice:
Target shooting has been prohibited since 1993, in all areas of the City of Mission, except at the Rod and Gun Club. If you encounter target shooting or have any safety concerns related to gun use, please contact the RCMP (604-826-7161). If you are in imminent danger, please contact 911. R.A.P.P. – Report all Poachers and Pollutors 24 hour hotline: Cell #7277 (BC Conservation Office services).
If you have questions about the Bylaw itself, please contact the City Bylaw department (604-820-3727) .