Staff & Board of Directors.
WE are currently looking for new board & Committee members, and PROJECT VOLUNTEERS
We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals to help the Forestry Museum grow and thrive! If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community this year we have a place for you!
BOARD MEMBERS & DIRECTORS: All members are welcome and we are in particular need of a Treasurer and Secretary.
Board Directors should be able to attend one board meeting per month (in person or via Zoom), and spend 4-6 hours per month in preparation and working with the committees as well as volunteer a few days per year.
COMMITTEES: We are looking for some focused individuals to spearhead the following committees: Fundraising, Events, Financial, Grounds & Maintenance, Exhibits & Programs, Riverside Forest Walk.
PROJECT VOLUNTEERS: Want to be hands on and get behind a project? We can let you know when projects come up and you can help us get the project accomplished. We have a big project in it’s nascent stages… “The Friendship & Forestry Interpretive Centre” that will be built on the grounds of the Riverside Forest Walk, in collaboration with the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke.
We are a Museum and much more…
We are a Forest Walk & Trail System
We are an Event Venue
We are a Community Educator
We are a Firewood Distributor
Contact:
Barb Wadey, Secretary & Co-Chair secretary@bcforestrymuseum.ca 250-814-4475
Remembering Al McInnes - BCIFM Director (1999-2024)
Our hearts go out to Evelyn and the family of Alan McInnes who recently passed away. Al was a remarkable man from a remarkable family. The McInnes family played a pivotal role in many aspects of the development of Revelstoke; from the beloved ski culture of Revy to the forest industry. The McInnes family moved to Revelstoke in 1944. Al started his first paid job at 12 years of age picking up broken lumber and pieces in the mill yard for 25 cents an hour. That was the start of a long career in forestry for Al.
Al was a founding member of the BC Interior Forestry Museum and on the board of directors for 25 years, finishing his time with the board on February 27, 2024. Al and Evelyn attended board meetings in person right up until the meetings switched to Zoom due to Covid. They continued to support the museum by attending events and visiting the museum several times a year.
Al contributed photos and equipment to the museum and was able to provide valuable information about the history of forestry in Revelstoke.
Have a listen to Podcast Episode 2 on the Forestry Museum’s website to hear Al talk about his forestry history in Revelstoke. His sense of humour and sharp wit shine through during the podcast.
Al’s presence will be missed at the museum as it will be by his family and the community.
Photos Below:
1. Al and Evelyn at the museum’s Kick Off to summer event in May 2022
2. Al in his highchair - 1936
3. Al in front of a cat he used to drive with his old high chair beside him.
4. Al in cat building a tote road in Rogers Pass
5. Al with a cat he used to operate in Roger's Pass
6. Al with the cat in Roger's Pass.
7. Al sitting in a piece of equipment he used to run at his family's mill.
8. Al and Evelyn at Timber Days - Sept 2023
STAFF…
…
Lukas Pahapill
Operations Manager
Lukas joined us in 2023. He was born and raised in Toronto and received his undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of King’s College in Halifax.
Most of Lukas’s time in BC has been in Tofino where he ran the Tofino-Clayoquot Heritage Museum. His previous time spent in Revelstoke made a positive impression and with his new position he’s excited to make our town home.
His passion for the politics of climate change, some years spent working in silviculture, previous museum experience, and his enthusiasm about community involvement make him a great addition to the Forestry Museum.
Sarah Windsor
Museum Administrator: Online/Retail/Marketing
Sarah joined the museum in 2023. She oversees the website and social media as well as the gift shop and is involved in both marketing and event initiatives. Sarah is also a member of our Board of Directors.
Sarah is a Marketing and Design professional with over 20 years of experience and has been a Revelstoke resident since 2011. In addition to running her own Marketing agency, Sarah is also a professional artist with a degree in Fine Art.
…
Board of Directors…
Barb Wadey
Co-Chair / Secretary
Barb joined our board in 2016. She was born and raised in Vernon BC and has lived in Revelstoke for 30 years, and with her family.
She’s a retired Professional Forester worked for the Ministry of Forests Lands Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Working in Port McNeill, Fort St John, Dawson Creek and Revelstoke for 35 years.
Barb has previously volunteered with the Community Childcare Society as vice-chair for over 7 years, the first 5 years with Timber Days, Arrow Heights PAC - 2 years as Treasurer and 2 years as Co-chair, and Secretary with the Revelstoke Ski Club for a couple of years.
Her interests include alpine and nordic skiing, reading, hiking, gardening and being outdoors. She volunteers with the Forestry Museum because of her passionate for trees and helping people understand what forestry is about.
Mike Copperthwaite
Co-Chair
Mike joined our board in 2021. He’s the General Manager of the Revelstoke Community Forestry Corporation.
Brian Sumner
Director
Brian joined our board in 1999. He came to Canada from the UK in 1968 and worked as a chokerman and blaster in the Weldwood logging camp at Goat Lake near Powell River..
After graduating from Simon Fraser University Brian worked in the lower mainland as a youth Probation Officer for several years before starting a log house building company at Trout Lake near Revelstoke.
Winters included driving snow cat for Great Northern Snow Cat Skiing and interludes in logging and shake block cutting.
From 1988 to 2008 Brian worked in Revelstoke for the Ministry of Children and Families.
Brian is currently retired and living in Nakusp where he messes around with sailboats. and bits of wood in his basement.
Brian's fundraising business is called Whirligig Woodworks.
Davide Pendergast
Director
Davide joined our board in 2019.
Rod Aspeslet
Director
Rod joined our board in 2013.
He’s a retired logger and wood craftsmen.
Bill Carson
Director
Bill joined our board in 2023, he’s a professional Forester who grew up in the Laurentians. Raised in a ski family and skiing since the age of three he instructed all through high school and college. Bill studied Forestry in college and after graduation was hired by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
He spent the first 12 years of his career fighting forest fires, followed by work as a bush and haul Foreman. Bill, then spent the next part of his impressive 40-year career starting up, managing and overseeing mills all across Canada; in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia.
After three years managing and expanding a wood pellet mill in Williams Lake BC, Bill and his wife decided to settle down in Revelstoke where Bill manages the Stella Jones Pole Peeling Yard.
With his children living and working in town and close by, he and his wife love being here in Revelstoke and enjoying kayaking, sledding, hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, exploring, and all the town and surroundings have to offer.
Sarah Windsor
Director
Sarah joined the board in 2023, she’s a Marketing and Design professional with over 20 years of experience and a Revelstoke resident since 2011. In addition to running her own Marketing agency, Revelstoke Marketing. Sarah is also a professional artist with a degree in Fine Art.
You can find her work at elementsdesignworks.com.
Originally from England she moved to Canada when she was 7 and has lived in 3 provinces; Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia with her husband Jeremy.
Moving to Revelstoke was a dream for her, living in a mountain town and being close to all the beauty and adventure it has to offer. As an outdoor enthusiast Sarah finds the mountain scenery an inspiration for both artistic endeavours and recreation. Most of her spare time is spent working creatively, exploring the outdoors, or hanging out in the garden in this beautiful mountain setting.
Our Vision
The BC Interior Forestry Museum will be a provincially recognized, innovative and financially successful interpretive centre where visitors experience engaging and educational exhibits, programs, and events. The museum will curate the history of forestry in the BC Interior including our current and emerging forestry issues. The centre will be widely respected by our community, our peers, and the forest industry.
Our Mission
The BC Interior Forestry Museum is a non-profit society that preserves and interprets our current and past forestry practices and history of BC Interior forests through entertaining and educational resources, events, archives, and programs.
Our Values
The core value of the BCIFM is that the Board and Operations Staff will aspire to excellence in all aspects of their endeavours.