In June, the Forest History Society celebrates its 75th year and we have much to be grateful for. The new library, archives, and headquarters will enable the Society to collect, preserve, and share historical collections of all sizes into the next few decades. The building—as well as an expert, dedicated staff and committed Board of Directors—positions us to provide greater access to that history for current and future generations.
Matching Gift Challenge!
We have a matching gift challenge. Having you renew your support at last year’s level is our first goal. But in honor of our 75th, four anonymous donors have committed $25,000 in matching funds to encourage new and increased giving. Any new or additional gift will be doubled!
Challenge Period
The Challenge Period kicks off Monday, June 7, and runs through our anniversary date of June 12, the Day of Giving for Forest History! Please plan your gift for that week and help us meet the challenge amount of $25,000! Don’t worry if you mail your gift. Any response to this letter will help us earn the match as long as it arrives prior to June 30, 2021.
Experts from across the country and the globe will be sharing their perspectives and project examples on how wood can transform the built environment into healthier low-carbon communities where people thrive. Topics will range from holistic approaches to the built environment (with Dr. Silke A. Krawietz), to the conscious and subconscious impacts of design and materiality (with Chris Corps, CEO of Pivotal IRM). The Summit is designed for professionals in the construction and design community, including architects, engineers, contractors, developers, urban planners, and interior designers. Continuing education certificates can be downloaded for self-reporting. Students are also encouraged to attend in order to learn about new, emerging products and resources. $150 + HST with access to the recordings for 30 days
Last May, BC Wood CEO Brian Hawrysh was forced to postpone the 17th annual Global Buyers Mission (GBM) at Whistler BC due to Covid-19. …However, demand for this one-of-a-kind networking event for buyers and sellers of value-added wood products remained strong and the BC Wood staff were determined to create a workable alternative to the in-person event.
The Global Buyers Mission (GBM), the largest and most important wood show for international buyers and Canadian sellers of value-added wood products—according to a survey of those attending the annual Whistler affair—is set to kick-off January 25–29 in virtual format. A temporary solution to the current travel and other covid-related restrictions, tradeshow event companies, vendors and buyers alike have been pursuing their marketing and sales objectives via online tradeshows, webinars and events since mid-March. So is it working? Are people planning to participate in the virtual GBM? And what’s their outlook for the event?
With in-person visits and tradeshows for promoting your products at a minimum, it is more important than ever to find ways to grow your sales. If you are interested in how to profitably increase export sales and diversify markets for your value-added wood products, you should join us on November 19th for the first session of our second cohort. 
OTTAWA – The latest innovations and solutions for wood design and building will be presented next week (November 16-20) at the national 
After a year of worldwide climate protests, Earth Day 2020 – the 50th anniversary — was poised to be a defining moment in the fight against climate change. But a global pandemic eclipsed the day … leaving our unfolding environmental crisis on the sideline. While COVID-19 has been life-changing, it’s vital that we not lose sight of the fact that climate change is and will be even more so. …At FSC, we know that one key solution to climate change resides in forests – natural climate solutions vital to any carbon-reduction efforts. …This is the driving force behind today’s celebration of “FSC Friday” – an annual awareness day to increase knowledge, encourage commitment and raise appreciation for responsible forestry. …This FSC Friday, let’s focus on the incredible ability that forests all over the world have to support humans, plants and animals and put the welfare of our natural environment at the centre of the decisions we make.
If you studied forestry at UBC, then you know the ‘infamous’ Dr. Worrall! Last year we hosted a quiet outdoor drop-in on his birthday. So many people wanted to stop by that we’re doing it again! On Saturday, May 22, we’re hosting a “garden drop-by party”. In light of COVID-19 and the need to keep everyone safe, this party will be unique. We’re asking you to come by his front yard, where he will accept visitors a few at a time, for a short visit (with appropriate social distancing and mandatory masks). Please do not bring any gifts or leave behinds, again, with COVID in mind, this needs to be a ‘touch free’ event. 
JP (Hamish) Kimmins 
Salmon Arm, BC –
We were pleased to kick off the event by welcoming Minister Katrine Conroy to her first COFI Convention. …We appreciate her comments that the forest sector has always been a cornerstone of BC’s economy and a bright light as we look forward to both employment and economic recovery. …Ambassador Hillman… described the “Team Canada Approach” we have taken on important files like softwood. …BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee joined us today from Prince George to discuss a path forward for reconciliation. …Shannon Janzen moderated a great discussion with Chief Councillor Robert Dennis, Brian Butler and Don Demens. Brian Butler made the important point that a key component of any partnership relationship is mutual respect.
The First Nations Forestry Council is excited to announce the 2021 BC First Nations Forestry Conference, which will take place virtually June 16-18, 2021. The goal is to bring together Nations to share information related to forestry workforce opportunities, and provide a space for communities to share knowledge about their involvement in timber supply reviews, tenure, and stewardship practices in all regions of British Columbia. The theme for this year’s event is “BC First Nations as Full Partners”. As an organization, the Forestry Council strives to support and advocate for the role BC First Nations should play as the rightful owners of forest lands and resources, including access to an equitable share of the benefits derived from forestry activities within their traditional territories. That is why this year, the conference will also provide the opportunity to bring together industry, Government, and Nations to discuss changes to forest policy and legislation, tenure, and workforce partnerships.
We’ve produced a special video to celebrate inductees to the profession of forestry and the ABCFP and we’d love for you to join us. The 
NANAIMO, BC —DR Systems (DRS), a leading land management software company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Heidi Walsh, RPF, as company Co-Owner. In 15 years with the company, Walsh has garnered extensive experience in all aspects of the business, from product marketing, development and quality control through to finance and executive management in her current role as Director of Operations. Walsh’s appointment by company owner and founder Don Reimer, reflects Reimer’s confidence in the future of DR Systems and in Walsh’s co-leadership at the helm. …“Through Heidi’s leadership I’ve seen our flagship program, Phoenix Connect grow into a powerful tool for effective planning and monitoring of forest resources, sustainable forest management and improved profitability. I’m confident the company’s legacy will endure,” said Reimer. …Walsh said, “these are challenging times for natural resource companies and DRS’s success is a testament to our focus on creating lower cost, easy to use software products for forest practitioners. …We take pride in our long history of excellent customer service.”
Since its inception, the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) has brought together the industry to promote the benefits and uses of softwood lumber in residential, non-residential, and new market segments to protect and increase demand for softwood lumber products in the United States. The industry has come together as a result of what the SLB has been able to accomplish and its strategic investments. All of our senior leaders across North America have joined together for the benefit of the industry and are working in tandem to expand market share – this is something that I’m very proud of and have never seen before. …Since the inception of the SLB in 2012, the board has kept the assessment rate at the initial level of $0.35/thousand board feet, yet inflation over that same time period exceeded 11.4%. The SLB has been successful, but to maintain the same momentum, the board made the thoughtful decision to increase the rate to $0.41/thousand board feet in 2021.
Stora Enso Wood Products has launched a 
Today is a celebration of all things Irish – and green! The parties will be smaller but we hope that everyone takes a moment to enjoy this lively holiday. Do you know why we celebrate? Do you know who Patrick was? We’ve done a bit of research.