Columnists

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)

GUEST COLUMN: COVID-19 masks mandatory in B.C., but not everywhere

Orders require them where necessary, Provincial Health Officer says

  • Nov 17, 2020
Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Gisele Martin shares a moment with an old-growth tree. In this week’s column, Jim Hilton explores the provincial government report A New Future for Old Forests. (Submitted photo)

FOREST INK: Old-growth forests under new management

On April 30, Garry Merkel and Al Gorley submitted 14 recommendations to the Province in their report

  • Sep 28, 2020

FOREST INK: Challenges of producing current forestry news

Jim Hilton has come to appreciate the work involved providing current and interesting articles

  • Sep 15, 2020
(Haida Gwaii Observer/File photo)

FOREST INK: Learning through hard work

Columnist Jim Hilton writes about the different ways people learn

  • Sep 9, 2020
(Haida Gwaii Observer/File photo)
Knapweed grows along the transmission lines in the Cariboo near Williams Lake. (Jim Hilton photo)

FOREST INK: Controlling knapweed one plant at a time

This weed has a very characteristic and showy pink flower

  • Aug 29, 2020
Knapweed grows along the transmission lines in the Cariboo near Williams Lake. (Jim Hilton photo)
Knapweed grows along the transmission lines in the Cariboo near Williams Lake. (Jim Hilton photo)

FOREST INK: Controlling knapweed by hand pulling

This weed has a very characteristic and showy pink flower

  • Aug 26, 2020
Knapweed grows along the transmission lines in the Cariboo near Williams Lake. (Jim Hilton photo)
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Hiking alpine areas in the West Chilcotin prompted columnist Jim Hilton’s weekly opinion piece. (Jim Hilton photo)

FOREST INK: B.C. Interior alpine provides three distinct zones

From Williams Lake to Tatla lake on Highway 20 you encounter a number of ecological zones

  • Aug 23, 2020
Hiking alpine areas in the West Chilcotin prompted columnist Jim Hilton’s weekly opinion piece. (Jim Hilton photo)
Carl Hennig stands in front of the 25-year-old stand at one of his landings. (Jim Hilton photo)

FOREST INK: Woodlot landings provide research opportunities

Carl Hennig has had a woodlot in the Esler area on the…

  • Aug 15, 2020
Carl Hennig stands in front of the 25-year-old stand at one of his landings. (Jim Hilton photo)
RANCH MUSINGS: What is a rancher doing writing about pigs in the middle of haying?

RANCH MUSINGS: What is a rancher doing writing about pigs in the middle of haying?

Simple, it rained last evening enough so will have to let the hay dry (again).

RANCH MUSINGS: What is a rancher doing writing about pigs in the middle of haying?
Image submitted

DOWN TO EARTH: Shades of uncertainty

Head online to find easy do-it-yourself instructions to your own reusable masks and ear savers

  • Aug 6, 2020
Image submitted
A pruned spruce tree on Rick McLeod’s property at Rose Lake east of Williams Lake. (Jim Hilton photo)

FOREST INK: Private forest land improvement ideas shared

I was recently invited to see some examples of forest stand improvement projects

  • Aug 6, 2020
A pruned spruce tree on Rick McLeod’s property at Rose Lake east of Williams Lake. (Jim Hilton photo)
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Stronger tomorrow plan offers blueprint for job-rich recovery, says Jeff Zweig and Greg D’Avignon

  • Aug 5, 2020
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term
A slash pile near Williams Lake. (Monica Lamb Yorski photo)

FOREST INK: Methods to maximize the use of forest residual material

Production of biochar can be raked into the soil for restoration of compacted soils

  • Jul 31, 2020
A slash pile near Williams Lake. (Monica Lamb Yorski photo)

DOWN TO EARTH: Do I have to still save water with all this rain?

By Jenny Howell A big part of my day to day job…

  • Jul 19, 2020
FOREST INK: Fertilization to make up timber shortfall

FOREST INK: Fertilization to make up timber shortfall

A single fertilizer treatment can add about 15 cubic metres of wood per hectare within 10 years

  • Jul 18, 2020
FOREST INK: Fertilization to make up timber shortfall
RANCH MUSINGS: When the sun shines, kids and calves

RANCH MUSINGS: When the sun shines, kids and calves

It is not easy to witness the birth of a calf especially in a herd on a spacious pasture

  • Jul 12, 2020
RANCH MUSINGS: When the sun shines, kids and calves
One of the latest is the discussion about face masks being mandatory or voluntary. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

FOREST INK: Using observations until detailed results are available

Reliable test results often includes thousands of subjects and many years of observations.

  • Jul 11, 2020
One of the latest is the discussion about face masks being mandatory or voluntary. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
The latest activity planned by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel was a make your own pizza kit that included fresh dough from the Quesnel Bakery and a pizza pan with toppings for the kids to make pizza with their family. (Photo submitted)

BBBSQ going ahead with activities, fundraisers for Quesnel community

The last few months have seen a lot of changes at BBBSQ as we adapt to the ‘new normal’

  • Jul 10, 2020
The latest activity planned by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel was a make your own pizza kit that included fresh dough from the Quesnel Bakery and a pizza pan with toppings for the kids to make pizza with their family. (Photo submitted)
Ginnie Dunn Webb writes the Observer’s monthly senior’s column. Submitted photo

This and that for seniors: play phone magic now for real

My smartphone … yes, I do have one, is way smarter than me

  • Jul 9, 2020
Ginnie Dunn Webb writes the Observer’s monthly senior’s column. Submitted photo
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)

COLUMN: Some more appropriate names for Washington NFL team

Finally, Washington’s NFL team would have a name everyone could cheer with pride

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)