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The Wood Innovation Group
TWIG is building connections across BC’s wood value chain—from forest to finished product. Through events, workshops, and community gatherings, we create space for learning, exchange, and collaboration—helping lay the groundwork for wood products that reflect the strength and potential of a complete BC value system.
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This newsletter is dedicated to those who see potential in BC’s forest resources and want to be part of shaping what comes next—through creativity, design, hands-on work, or new ways of thinking. It’s about blending tradition with technology and contributing to a more resilient, locally rooted forest economy.
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Your voice matters. If you have events, projects, or ideas to share, reach out to us at info@twigbca.ca
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Wood-First-Wednesday
December 3rd, 6:00 - 8:00
33 Acres, 15 W 8th Ave, Vancouver
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A casual monthly meetup for anyone interested in wood—connecting professionals, students, and community members to share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships.
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Wood-First-Wednesday
December 3rd, 6:00 - 8:00
Howe Sound Brewing
37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish
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A casual monthly meetup for anyone interested in wood—connecting professionals and community members to share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships. More Info+
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More info for these events will be expanded on below, and the up-to-date TWIG events can be found online at twigbc.ca/events/
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Happy Holiday Season!
And just like that, here we are at December. This fall has been packed with a wide range of wood events across the industry. Saying it is a unique time for BC’s industry would be an understatement. There are numerous factors affecting BC’s value-added wood industry right now. Some are more recent, and some have been present for years, but have surfaced through our ongoing relationship with the United States. I am not going to highlight or pick and choose any one issue to expand on. I will simply say that we did not arrive here overnight. It has been a gradual slide over decades, shaped by a focus on targeting high-value wood from high-value trees rather than making high-value products from our more readily available timber supply, which today is largely composed of second and third-growth forests.
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So here we are today, where the technical capability of the average wood-based factory in BC remains well behind that of many European and Asian counterparts, and many of our large mills are still tooled for a log supply that simply is not there anymore. There is a mismatch between what our systems were built to process and what the forest is actually producing today. Somewhere along the line, the transition we must make will be costly and will come with real consequences for individuals and communities. This may be an uncomfortable truth, but in a forest, new growth does not happen without death. Some old systems need to fall and die, not out of disrespect, but because they are no longer fit for the conditions that now exist. One of the shifts that must happen is how we view forest economics, not only as volumes, grades, and standards, but also through the lens of biodiversity, material qualities, and regional nuance. If we understand the forest as it is, rather than as something flattened into numbers, models, and spreadsheets, we reopen the door to new innovation.
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Just to be clear, I am not talking about replacing the industry or finding solutions for their current challenges (As I said above, some things need to die) I am talking about new initiatives, new partnerships, and new startups that I believe can create a whole new wave of value-added businesses in BC. Companies built from the ground up with a fresh approach, grounded in local regions, materials and their needs, and developed in partnership with the region’s Indigenous people and their values. We can create a culture where innovation happens locally and directly benefits the communities involved. The choices we start making today can become ideas that support families and put food on the table for future generations. We have already taken so much from our forest, and it's time we figure out how we can give back and leave it better than we found it.
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From the smallest Christmas ornament made by a local artisan to an automated factory-made home from BC wood, companies contributing to this future can come in all shapes and sizes. We can all be part of this wave of change, and for those of you reading this, you already are. Thank you for being here, and have a great holiday.
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With forest-felt regards,
Patrick Christie and The TWIG team
info@twigbc.ca
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Industrial Wood Finishing Certificate Program
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January 5th to April 10th, 2026
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5-day practical session April 6th to April 10th, 2026
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This part-time online training program with a one-week hands-on practical session is North America’s most comprehensive wood finishing certificate program. The certificate program provides participants with a broad understanding of the field of wood finishing. It's designed for individuals who have some general experience in wood finishing and would like to expand their knowledge.
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We understand that it can be difficult for technical staff and managers to take time away from a production environment to attend training. For this reason, the program is structured in two distinct parts;
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Part 1: Learn all of the theory online through our e-learning website. Requires approximately one hour per day for 12 weeks. Study at home or at work, whatever fits your schedule. Get ongoing phone and email support from an online tutor, and interact with other trainees via online discussions
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Part 2: 6-day practical session, normally in Vancouver or at an alternate facility (depending on where most participants are located). Includes hands-on practice, demonstrations from industry experts and plant tours
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Once completed, learners will have the knowledge and experience to do the following:
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- Understand why finish is applied to wood and how wood properties affect finishing
- To be able to identify the best finishing system based on the end use
- Troubleshot wood finishing problems
- Design a safe and efficient finishing facility
This course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to start a finishing business or to improve an existing one.
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Are you looking to hire someone? Do you have a new position opening up at your company? Let us know, and we can make a posting here to share it with our readers.
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Growing Connections Across our Chapters
TWIG is always looking for new ways to bring people together—through regional events, project tours, workshops, and collaborations that highlight BC’s wood innovation. If you would like to host TWIG in Vancouver, Victoria, or Squamish, please let us know, and we can create an event together.
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Donate to TWIG
At TWIG, we believe the best connections happen informally—and that innovation grows when new relationships are formed. That’s why we keep some of our events free, open, and easy to join.
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To keep this going—and for our funding model to work—we rely on financial contributions from the industry. Your support not only keeps the wheels turning but also shows that the work we do matters.
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If TWIG has offered you connections, inspiration, or opportunities, we invite you to show your support. Every contribution makes a difference.
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Got an idea? Need some Testing?
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Do you have a concept, product, or prototype that you want to realize? TWIG can work with you to make this happen with financial support through The Wood First Program. Carried out through the Center for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) and its team of technical staff, we are able to provide an array of support on various wood-based projects.
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