Wood sculptor has never used his chainsaw to topple a tree.
"I love trees and I love nature," Hemara said.
"And funny enough, I've never actually cut down a tree in my life."
Hemara was demonstrating his art during Forest Fest 2024, a celebration of B.C. in 91原创's Williams Park held on Saturday, Sept. 28.
"I grew up in New Zealand," Hemara explained.
"Traditional wood carving is a huge thing back home, traditional wood carving. And I did try wood carving once with chisels, but it was a little bit too slow."
"So I wanted to figure out a way how to create sculptures on a larger scale, but much faster."
Chainsaws were the answer.
Asked about the potential hazards, Hemara said "it's definitely an art form that you need a lot of practice for."
BC National Forest Week was being marked for the first time in 91原创 on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 12 to 4pm at Williams Park.
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It was the first time the Township of 91原创 has hosted the event, described by special events coordinator Cody Naples as "a celebration of of nature, of the outdoors, of being outside and and learning something new about your surroundings."
"We've got 14 different, exhibitors, partner groups, that are here. There's everything from live raptor demonstrations, owls and eagles. We've got kids' axe tossing 鈥� they're foam axes, so it's safe."
At the end of the event, visitors were able to take home seedlings to plant.
Exhibitors included 91原创 Field Naturalists, 91原创 Forest School, Raptors Ridge, as well as Fortis B.C., Fraser Valley Regional Library, 91原创 Arts Council, various Township departments, and 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS), whose stewardship coordinator, Lisa Dreves, was on hand to encourage people to keep trees on their properties.
"They're great for the animals, and wildlife, and diversity, and shade, to try and cool our houses in the summertime," Dreves said.
Around waterways, "they keep our streams nice and cool for our local salmon."
