BC is funding its first regional forestry hub — a Merritt-area model led by Gorman’s Nick Arkle — aimed at securing fibre supply and expanding local value-added manufacturing. In related news: Ontario supports Georgia-Pacific North Woods’ Englehart mill upgrade; and the US Lumber Coalition says US trade law is forcing Canada’s US market share down. Meanwhile: US inflation accelerates to 3-year high; and the Green Building Initiative’s CEO Vicki Worden is departing after 12 years.

In Forestry news: the national call for equal benefits for Canada’s forest and wildland firefighters continues; Forest Minister Ravi Parmar speaks on Make More in BC initiative; a BC Forest Practices Board audit says Cascades’ BC Timber Sales “generally compliant”; and Oregon releases guide for growing redwoods and sequoias. Meanwhile: BC firefighters deploy to the Northwest in anticipation of fire season; and wildfire updates from BC’s Sunshine Coast, and Whitecourt, Alberta.

Finally, International Pulp Week coverage continues with stories on northern softwood’s role in premium tissue production; global bleaching and pulping chemical markets; specialty cellulose outlooks; and carbon capture opportunities for pulp mills — with more coverage tomorrow.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor