Lisa Figueroa paints in praise of the Good Earth. Tree Farm License 56, held by the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation, is in the rugged Columbia Mountains one hour north of the city of Revelstoke in the Downie Creek and Goldstream River drainages. While walking specific areas of TFL56, it became apparent to Figueroa that planted forests can be grown in ways that mimic nature. Planted forests growing similarly to nature’s way provide the best opportunity for the forest to achieve longevity, healthy habitat for animals, and beautiful recreation areas for humans. Figueroa states, when walking in these planted forests it feels more like a provincial park than a plantation. It takes time, skill, and empathy to respectfully steward the land and manage the forest. Often the hulks of old growth trees are left intact to provide shelter and nurture the new forest, and natural ground cover is encouraged to grow. Attention to detail, and a nature-led approach, brings the RCFC into an ethical management style, where the bottom line is not money but what is best for the earth and the town of Revelstoke. The management team has taken the time to explore the best possible scenarios for logging TFL56 with the most modest impact on the land. The forest area Figueroa is painting is halfway through its growing cycle and will be harvested in 45 years. RCFC has been mimicking nature with fabulous results, and Figueroa’s art expresses the beautiful way these planted forests have been nurtured and loved by the caring team at RCFC, including Michael Copperthwaite (RPF General Manager) and Kevin Bollefer (RPF).