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Welcome to the February edition of my e-Newsletter.
Building stability and confidence for families, creating jobs in communities across British Columbia and capitalizing on the opportunities of the new world economy were key elements of the recent Throne Speech and Budget 2009.
B.C.’s forest sector figured prominently in the Throne Speech, building on Premier Campbell’s recent commitments at the 66th Annual Truck Loggers Convention. The Throne Speech’s specific commitments include:
• maintaining existing pension bridging and tuition
assistance programs for forest workers;
• establishing a Wood Innovation and Design Centre in
Prince George;
• enhanced marketing of wood-based in-fill and partition
walls to China;
• creating a Commercial Forest Reserve;
• commercializing biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol
production that turns wood waste into clean fuel; and
• implementing a ‘Wood-First’ policy for new public facilities
in B.C. and pushing to apply the policy Canada-wide.
The 2009 provincial budget invests an additional $294 million for communities, including $20 million accelerated spending on resource and Forest Service road maintenance, $20 million for local transportation projects, and $30 million to support rural community adjustments and job creation like the assistance provided to forest workers through the Community Development Trust.
These efforts will help our workers and communities through these challenging times, and position B.C.'s forest sector for renewed growth and vigour as we move forward.
Until next month,
Minister Pat Bell
Ministry of Forests and Range
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BUILDING WITH WOOD
Given its strength, versatility, and climate-
friendly attributes, British Columbia
is promoting greater use of wood in
commercial and institutional construction.
NEW WOOD INNOVATION AND DESIGN CENTRE ANNOUNCED - The Throne Speech announced the creation of a new wood centre to be established in Prince George and affliated with UNBC to promote new expertise in advanced building systems, engineered wood products, and interior design and applications.
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FOREST SAFETY
The ministry is committed to maintaining
high safety standards to protect both forest
workers and the public.
B.C. HELPS AUSTRALIA FIGHT CATASTROPHIC BUSHFIRES – Australia has formally requested nine fire specialists from B.C. to help battle devastating wildfires sweeping across the State of Victoria. The B.C. team left on Feb. 17 and will be deployed for about 30 days.
$192,500 TO CUT FOREST FIRE RISK IN THE CARIBOO - The Community Development Trust funding will employ 10 forest workers to remove small, dying or dead trees from several sites located within the Williams Lake and Area Interface Fire Plan.
COMMUNITY TRUST REDUCES FIRE RISK AT 144 OKANAGAN SITES - $470,000 will employ nine forest workers to help prevent forest fires in campgrounds and day-use areas around the Okanagan by removing combustible materials from the forest floor.
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WEB RESOURCES
The ministry's website provides a wide range of services and a wealth of information regarding B.C.'s forest sector.
The Seed Information e-mail service is used to send information regarding the Seed Planning and Registry System, SeedMap, Chief Forester's Standards for Seed Use and general seedlot/vegetative lot information.
The Tree Improvement Branch website focuses on the protection, management and conservation of B.C.'s forest genetic resources. This site also includes information specific to cone and seed services, seed production, and planning and tree seed legislation.
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For information on ministry announcements and events, visit the Ministry of Forests and Range Media Room.
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INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
British Columbia is working
to expand its overseas
exports, particularly into
the rapidly growing
China market.
MONGOLIA BUYS 48 B.C. HOUSES - Cowichan Valley based Pacific Homes is part of a $4-million project that will supply homes to Mongolia, showing that B.C.’s efforts to sell more wood products around the world are working. Photos
B.C. WOOD TRUSS ROOFING GETS GO-AHEAD IN CHINA - The Shanghai government has formally approved a B.C.-designed roofing system as part of a plan to renovate 10,000 city apartment buildings in the lead-up to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
SHANGHAI MAYOR TOURS XIANG'E RECONSTRUCTION SITE - A long-time supporter of wood-frame technology, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng made a surprise visit to the site and spoke to media promoting wood-frame structures as being energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE - Roof construction is now underway at the Dujiangyan Xiang'E primary school project in Dujiangyan, China. The school has been under construction since December 2008. Photos
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GROWING TREES
By becoming a world leader
in growing trees, British
Columbia aims to maximize
the growth potential of its
forest resource.
WOODLOT LICENCES GROW ON NORTH ISLAND - A new 495-hectare woodlot licence with a proposed allowable annual cut of 1,674 cubic metres is available near Chamiss Bay, northwest of Zeballos, increasing the number of small tenure opportunities on northern Vancouver Island.
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IMPROVING UTILIZATION
British Columbia is working
to maximize the economic
opportunities from wood
fibre previously considered
waste or debris.
WOOD WASTE IN TO CLEAN FUEL A PRIORITY - In the Speech from the Throne the province announced it is working to commercialize biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol production that turns wood waste into clean fuel and makes better use of forest debris.
TWO BIOMASS PILOT PROJECTS AWARDED $5 MILLION - The funding provided by the B.C. Bioenergy Network allows Lignol Innovations Ltd. and Nexterra Energy Corp. to further develop and demonstrate the use of wood waste in innovative clean technology solutions.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
MINISTER CHAIRS FORESTRY PANEL AT ECONOMIC SUMMIT While attending the Northern Economic Summit in Prince George, Minister Bell chaired the Forestry Panel Session which included discussions on the future of the forest industry and the mountain pine beetle. Photos
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FORESTRY FACTS
- Forests cover two-thirds of B.C.’s land base.
- The B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range is divided in to 3 regions and 29 districts.
- B.C. ships prefabricated wood buildings to clients worldwide.
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