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Aleza Lake Research Forest: Learning Resource

100 years of BC Forestry in Film

The following are various promotional and informational videos produced by various levels of governments and government agencies regarding the forest industry in British Columbia. These videos range from 5 to 25 minutes in length. While you watch these videos, pay attention to various common themes, including:

  • Changing technologies: including tools and transportation technology
  • Worker safety: the absence of presence of helmets, visi-vests, and other safety equipment or procedures
  • Changing attitudes towards the environment and sustainability

Early Years - ca. 100 years ago

"Lumbering in British Columbia" promotional film produced by the Government of Canada in 1925. Library and Archives Canada IDC: 377641

Moving Towards Sustainability - ca. 60 years ago

"The Mark of Progress" film created by the British Columbia Forest Service and first played for a live audience in 1959 in Prince George, BC. Northern BC Archives accession # 2016.5.3.16.1

Present Day

"The Story of B.C. Wood" video created by naturally:wood, a comprehensive information resource promoting British Columbia as a global supplier of quality, environmentally-responsible forest products from sustainably-managed forests, developed by Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia. Find out more about naturally:wood and FII at www.naturallywood.com/about-us.

naturally:wood. (2020, April 16). The Story of B.C. Wood [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/9QMkWng_kX8

Discussion

What about BC forestry and the BC forest industry has changed? What has stayed the same?

Why do you think each of these videos were created?

What is the main message of each video? How and why did the messages change over time?

Who is the intended audience for each video?

How has the technology changed? How have new technologies changed how wood is harvested and processed?

What safety hazards can you see in these videos? How have these hazards been mitigated over the years (using evidence from the videos)?

How have our attitudes towards our environment changed as evidenced in these three videos?

Which video do you think was the most informative and why? How could the other videos be changed to be more informative?

Looking at how BC forestry has changed over the last 100 years, what predictions can you make about the future of BC forestry?