The Goat sits down with VCF’s new general manager

By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG

After a hectic year of turnover, the Valemount Community Forest’s new general manager, Alana Duncan, is beginning to adjust to her role. She stepped in as general manager in April after the departure of Kalina Velez, who had become general manager in September after Brian Shawara stepped down last summer.

“It’s been stressful, for sure, and challenging, but it’s good,” Duncan said. “I’m starting to work out some stuff that I was less certain about at the beginning, which is nice.”

The 33-year-old has been working for the community forest since 2019, when she started as a silviculture forester. Working as general manager has meant more time indoors at her desk and a steep learning curve, Duncan said, but she’s diving into the role headfirst.

At the VCF’s annual general meeting on July 17th, Duncan faced a number of questions from residents. Top of mind for local Andru McCracken was how the community forest will communicate with people who use logging roads to access the backcountry.

“When we’re not using roads, it’s totally fine if anyone’s on them. But when we are using them, we are trying to update the website,” Duncan said, adding that she keeps in touch with local recreation groups to let them know when loggers are entering a high-use area. 

“The guys on the road generally expect everyone to be calling [on a radio],” she said. “If you are going up without a radio, just use extra caution. If you do have a handheld, that’s awesome. Just make sure you’re following the proper radio protocols when you use it.”

Duncan added that she hopes to continue working with recreation groups to make sure everybody can use the backcountry. For example, the community forest plowed extra pullouts along West Ridge last year to create parking for a popular skiing spot, according to her.

“People live here because they want to use the backcountry,” she said. “I think it makes sense to work with people to make it safe for everyone.”

Duncan also faced questions about a conflict with local mill Cedar Valley Holdings at the annual general meeting. The mill’s owner, Jason Alexander, raised concerns in April that the mill may close down due to insufficient cedar. Alexander claims he’s seen the community forest ship cedar to pulp mills in Prince George, a claim which The Goat has been unable to independently verify.

As of August 5th, the cedar mill was still operating but had not reached a resolution with VCF.

Duncan told The Goat she is unable to comment on the community forest’s current relationship with Cedar Valley Holdings.

When asked if she has any goals for the community forest, Duncan said she’s still getting the hang of her new role. However, she hopes to improve public outreach by updating the website more frequently, and invites locals with questions or concerns to visit the community forest’s office.

“We are definitely open to people who have concerns about areas [we’re logging] – we’re not trying to wreck anyone’s favorite picnic area,” she said. “Our office hours are generally 9:00 [a.m.] to 3:00 [p.m.] for people to come in to talk to us.”

On top of having gone through three general managers within a year, the community forest is also losing its longtime board president Ainslie Jackman after Valemount Council chose not to renew her contract.

“We’re sad that Ainslie is no longer on the board, and she was a great person and mentor to have around for new board members and for staff alike,” Duncan said. “It was nice to have someone you [could] talk to about pretty much anything, and they’ve had some experience with it.”

Despite the hectic year VCF has had, Duncan says she hopes to work with community members on resolving any concerns they have.

“We’re going to start moving forward,” she said. “The past is the past, and moving forward is the only way we can really all work together.”