Turning forest waste into biochar to improve soil health and store carbon in British Columbia

A project in British Columbia's Creston Valley is turning forest waste into biochar, a carbon-rich charcoal that can improve soil health, retain water, and store carbon. The Fire for Healthy Soils project, run by Wildsight with the Creston Community Forest, uses kilns to convert wood debris from wildfire risk reduction into biochar. Local farms will trial the biochar as a soil amendment, aiming to boost resilience against hotter summers and drought. The initiative also creates jobs for young adults through the Youth Climate Corps and could provide a model for other rural communities. By giving value to wood that would otherwise be piled and burned, the project reduces smoke and greenhouse gas emissions while supporting both forestry and agriculture. If successful, it could help build a circular economy around forest waste.