|
|
|
 Welcome to the October edition of my e-Newsletter.
The Ministry of Forests and Range recently made two key announcements to help promote B.C. wood:
The new Wood First Act aims to increase demand for wood products by requiring provincially-funded building projects to use wood as the primary construction material. The Act will also help facilitate a stronger wood culture by displaying the benefits of building with wood.
Building on another record year for lumber sales into China, Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) has increased funding for China marketing by 17 per cent and sharpened the focus of its joint market development strategy with industry and the federal government.
These actions will help promote a vibrant forest sector and position B.C. for future opportunities. As well, we are preparing for another trade mission to China early next month to see our marketing efforts at work first-hand, and will keep you informed on these actions and the progress made.
Until next month,
Pat Bell
Minister of Forests and Range
and Minister Responsible for the
Integrated Land Management Bureau
|
| |
|
|
|
|
WOOD FIRST
Given its strength, versatility, and climate-
friendly attributes, British Columbia
is promoting greater use of wood in
commercial and institutional construction.
ACT INTRODUCED TO EXPAND WOOD USE IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS – B.C.’s new Wood First Act aims to increase demand for wood products by requiring provincially-funded building projects use wood as the primary construction material.
OVAL WINS GOLD MEDAL FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN - The Institution of Structural Engineers awarded the Richmond Olympic Oval a gold medal for engineering excellence in the Sports and Leisure category at its annual awards gala, beating out venues from Beijing and London. The Oval's roof and innovative use of beetle-killed timber appealed to the judges.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
IMPROVING UTILIZATION
British Columbia is working
to maximize the economic
opportunities from wood
fibre previously considered
waste or debris.
FORESTRY FIELD TOUR SHOWCASES GRINDING OPERATION - Aspen Planers was the host of this year's ninth annual Sustainable Forest Management Plan public advisory group field tour that focused on methods such as grinding to utilize wood waste left behind after logging.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
INTEGRATED LAND MANAGEMENT BUREAU
The ILMB is a stand-alone agency that
provides service to the public and other
government agencies by coordinating
access to Crown land and natural resources.
 
SQUATTER CAMP AT SWELTZER CREEK DISMANTLED - Federal, provincial and local authorities joined forces to dismantle and clean up a squatter camp located beside Sweltzer Creek near Chilliwack. The camp had been an ongoing issue and local First Nations and residents are pleased to see the area clean and vacated. Video footage
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER MINISTRY NEWS
$140,000 SUPPORTS WORKERS IN SKEENA STIKINE FOREST DISTRICT - The Community Trust funding will employ 6 workers to upgrade a trail site in the Round Lake area, including trail construction, a new parking area, two canoe launching sites and 12 camping pads.
$130,000 SUPPORTS DISPLACED RESOURCE WORKERS IN CARIBOO - The Community Trust funding will employ approximately six workers in the Cariboo Regional District to remove 1,800 hazard trees and conduct trail maintenance work in Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park.
$500,000 FROM COMMUNITY TRUST FOR PROJECTS IN CARIBOO - The funding will help hire an estimated 32 workers in Williams Lake, Anahim Lake and Alexis Creek to conduct site and trail maintenance, silviculture treatments, stand spacing and fence repair for various projects in the area.
$328,000 EMPLOYS CAMPBELL RIVER WORKERS ON CANOE ROUTE – The Community Trust funding will allow workers in the Campbell River area to improve the campsites and portages along the Sayward Forest Canoe Route, strengthening the local economy and gaining access to employment opportunities.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
FORESTRY FACTS
- As of April 2009, about 900,000 hectares were being managed as community forests.
- B.C. lumber was used for trestles, ties and bridges on the Canadian Pacific Railway.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
WEB RESOURCES
The ministry's website provides a wide range of services and a wealth of information regarding B.C.'s forest sector.
The ministry has released a September 2009 Status Update on implementing the recommendations from
The Working Roundtable on Forestry's March 2009 report.
The next update will be issued in January 2010. To view the Forestry Roundtable website click here.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
For information on ministry announcements and events, visit the Ministry of Forests and Range Media Room.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
FOREST SAFETY
The ministry is committed to
maintaining high safety
standards to protect
both forest workers
and the public.
UPDATE ON $20 MILLION FUNDING FOR RURAL ROADS – B.C. is on track to complete $20 million in targeted upgrades to more than 200 Forest Service roads that serve as crucial transportation links, improving travel and safety conditions for residents in about 70 rural communities.
B.C. ACCELERATES COMPLETION OF INTERFACE FIRE PLANS – The ministry will provide an additional 16 Wildfire Management Branch staff to accelerate the completion of Community Wildfire Protection Plans and further reduce the risk of interface fires.
$1.4 MILLION FOR AIR TANKER BASE PROJECT - The funding through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund will help the province battle forest fires more quickly and better by expanding the Williams Lake Air Tanker Base to allow two air tankers to fill up at the same time. This project is one of 174 being funded throughout B.C. to help stimulate the economy. News Release and Project List
|
| |
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
British Columbia is working to expand its overseas exports, particularly into the rapidly growing China market.
MORE FUNDING FOR MARKETING WOOD PRODUCTS IN CHINA - Building on another record year for lumber sales into China, Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) has increased funding for China marketing by 17 per cent and sharpened the focus of its joint market development strategy with industry and the federal government.
MINISTER MEETS WITH VISITING CHINA DELEGATION - Minister Bell discusses his upcoming China Trade Mission with China's largest national media network CCTV. CCTV is visiting Canada to shoot a 12-episode documentary film to promote the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
GROWING TREES
By becoming a world leader
in growing trees, British
Columbia aims to maximize
the growth potential of its
forest resource.
MINISTER AND CANIM LAKE INDIAN BAND DISCUSS COMMUNITY FOREST - While in 100 Mile House to celebrate the district’s new community forest agreement, Minister Bell met with the Canim Lake Indian Band regarding their proposal for a community forest.
SILVICULTURE DISCUSSION FORUMS GENERATING MANY IDEAS – A silviculture discussion paper released in March that seeks to make B.C. a world leader in growing trees continues to generate valuable input from forest sector stakeholders and First Nations. Discussion Paper Website
COMMUNITY FOREST SUPPORTS CARIBOO JOBS
The 25-year community forest agreement awarded to 100 Mile Development Corp. will create employment, enhance recreation and tourism, and help supply the area’s world-renowned log home manufacturers.
NEW WOODLOTS AVAILABLE ON QUADRA ISLAND - The Province continues to expand forestry opportunities for individuals, groups and First Nations with the offering of two new woodlot licences on Quadra Island.
$360,000 EMPLOYS 14 FOREST WORKERS IN PRINCE GEORGE - The Community Trust funding will employ forest workers to fall and dispose of beetle-killed trees and conduct silviculture treatments including gap planting of trees at various sites around Prince George.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
INDUSTRY NEWS
TREE CANADA LAUNCHES B.C. FIRE RELEAF PROGRAM - The program will help rebuild urban and rural forests throughout the province that were destroyed during the 2009 fire season and will assist fire-ravaged communities to return to the beautiful environment they had before the fires hit. Website
NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY TO BE THE 2010 FOREST CAPITAL OF B.C. - Every year, the Association of BC Forest Professionals selects one community to be the Forest Capital of B.C. The Forest Capital Program provides an opportunity to celebrate the economic, cultural, natural and historic contributions forests make to community life and the health of the province. Nominations must be received by Nov. 13, 2009.
INTERFOR RECEIVES CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP AWARD – International Forest Products Ltd. (Interfor) received a Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conservation Leadership Award for a partnership with Aboriginal people along B.C.’s Pacific Coast that will ensure there is a suitable supply of monumental cedar trees to meet long-term cultural needs.
|
| |
|