About Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative
Harrop Procter Forest Products (HPFP) is the milling division of the Harrop-Procter Community Forest Cooperative (HPCF), which manages the forest above the south shore communities of the west arm of Kootenay Lake. Operating since 2011, HPFP primarily processes fir and cedar logs harvested from the community forest. The mill produces a wide range of lumber types, lengths, grades, and specialty products. Known for the high quality of its timber, HPFP employs local residents who take pride in their craftsmanship and in providing exceptional customer service. As a member of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI), HPFP offers graded and stamped lumber and timber products.
HPCF manages 11,300 hectares of Crown land using an ecosystem-based approach that integrates ecological, social, and economic values. Partnering with the Silva Forest Foundation, HPCF developed a management plan grounded in the principles of landscape ecology and conservation biology. This plan prioritizes the protection of water quality, wildlife habitat, old-growth forests, and biodiversity. Analysis of the community forest shows that approximately 70 percent of the land is unsuitable for timber harvesting due to ecological sensitivity, critical wildlife habitat, or economic inaccessibility. Key areas such as riparian zones, headwaters, old-growth stands, unstable terrain, low-productivity sites, and caribou habitat are reserved to ensure long-term ecological integrity.
To support both sustainability and productivity, HPFP and HPCF employ a variety of silvicultural systems and partial-cut harvesting methods tailored to forest type, terrain, soil moisture, and overall forest health. These practices ensure that mature trees are retained throughout harvested areas, preserving ecosystem functions while allowing for responsible timber use.
The cooperative’s mandate is to practice socially and environmentally progressive forestry that protects local watersheds while creating sustainable employment. By aligning innovative milling operations with ecosystem-based management, HPFP demonstrates that community forestry can successfully balance economic opportunity with environmental stewardship, serving as a model for sustainable forestry in British Columbia.
Location
Address: 730 Ogilvie S. Rd, Harrop, British Columbia V1L 6P9
Douglas-fir
Lodgepole pine
Spruce-pine-fir (SPF)
Western red cedar
Western white pine
FSC Joint Forest Management and Chain of Custody: Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)
FSC® COC Certified Firm, Cert. #: SA-FM/COC-001231, License #: FSC-C016946, Expiry Date: 2028/10/27