Category Archives: Special Feature

Special Feature

The Wood Wellness Summit

Canadian Wood Council
March 5, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

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

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The virtual Global Buyers Mission attracts more than 660 participants

By Kelly McCloskey
Tree Frog Forestry News
February 1, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

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.

Proceeding virtually did not come without risk however and in fact some did hold back, but in the end more that 660 wood buyers, sellers and specifiers of value added wood products tuned in, fully 85% of the usual in-person participation level. According to Hawrysh, buyer attendance was up from the USA, Japan and Korea (thanks to BC Wood’s in-market reps) as was the contingent of architects and specifier groups.. …Longing for a return to in-person tradeshows, Fraserwood Industries’ Kurt Westerlund was highly complimentary. “The best digital event I’ve attended since the pandemic began”, he said. …Whether BC Wood will be allowed to host an in-person GBM this September is unknown but Hawrysh is already making plans. “Hopefully, we’ll be back in Whistler with an in-person event, but given our experience last week, future GBMs will likely be a hybrid of the two—in-person supported by virtual activities.” According to Hawrysh, this should mean greater participation from more buyers and countries and more involvement of off-site industry sales and technical reps.”

Click here for more coverage on the GBM’s WoodTALKs presenters Day 1 & Day 2.

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The shift to smaller community, online marketing efforts is here to stay

By Kelly McCloskey
The Tree Frog Forestry News
January 11, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, United States

Remember the days when you spent untold dollars travelling to a convention, setting up your booth, and spending the majority of your time making small talk with the other exhibitors? …In part, this is why the use of big industry events as the primary marketing tool has been in decline for several years, and sales reps surveyed by the Tree Frog News are increasingly discerning about which events they attend.

“Add in the deluge of online virtual events due to Covid-19 and the challenge is even greater”, says Paul Harder, US Commodity Sales Manager at Dakeryn Industries, a SPF lumber distributor and specialty wood products manufacturer based in North Vancouver, BC. “The virtual platform is key”, says Harder, “as is the opportunity to engage with potential customers before, during and after the event, and set up appointments in advance, sometimes with multiple reps from the same company”. Which is why Harder is particularly keen on the upcoming Global Buyers Mission (GBM), which is set to kick-off January 25–29. …Among Dakeryn’s online materials will be a “storytelling” video on the company and its products.

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I’m tired of Zoom (you say). But what about the Global Buyers Mission?

By Kelly McCloskey
Tree Frog Forestry News
December 23, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, United States, International

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?

To find out, we reached out to three high-profile, regular GBM participants. These participants includes Murakami Lumber—one of Japan’s oldest and largest importers of lumber and value-added wood products; Daizen Joinery—a high end custom log home and timber frame manufacturer in Kamloops, BC; and Fraserwood Industries—an innovative provider of heavy timber products and timber fabrication services based in Squamish, BC. Here’s what they had to say…

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Merry Christmas from the Tree Frog News Team

By Sandy McKellar
Tree Frog Forestry news
December 22, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

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New Yorker features Thanksgiving in the forest due to covid warnings

By Francoise Mouly
The New Yorker
November 23, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, United States

With covid-19 cases spiking throughout the country, large swatches of the medical community, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have advised against travelling for Thanksgiving. Dinners might be smaller, or strangely Zoomified—though the amount of food, one hopes, will remain the same. In his latest New Yorker cover, Barry Blitt portrays a feast in the forests of New England, where the holiday originated. …”For the record, Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated in October, and it’s not quite as huge a deal as its American counterpart—but then, what is?

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Canada’s Premier Event for Buyers and Sellers of Value-added Wood Products—Returns in Virtual Format

BC Wood Specialties Group
November 19, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, International

BC Wood is pleased to announce the return of the infamous Global Buyers Mission (GBM), the largest and most important wood show for international buyers and Canadian sellers of value-added wood products. This one-of-a-kind networking event for buyers, sellers and the sector as a whole—postponed due to Covid-19—is now scheduled for January 25-29 in an exciting and unique virtual format. Like the usual in-person event, the new format includes direct contact and live meetings with pre-qualified international buyers, but in a virtual Whistler setting—right down to the simulated booth locations on the tradeshow floor. …In Whistler, the GBM was constrained by venue size and international travel limitations, but a virtual event has no limitations on the information exhibitors can share in their booth, or on the number of qualified buyers who can participate. As such, BC Wood hopes to attract many more than the 400+ buyers and specifiers from 22 countries that have attended in the past.

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BC Wood Announces Export Readiness Training Program Webinar

BC Wood Specialties Group
November 13, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

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

The Export Readiness Training Program is an in-depth webinar based 9-module program developed specifically for Canada’s wood products industry that will guide participants through the complete process of exporting. Modules occur at two-week intervals (8:00 – 9:30 am) from November 19 through to March 25, 2021. At just $29 per session or $180 for all 9, this is a minor investment with a possibility of major return! Delivered with input from industry members representing each wood product sector, you will learn what it takes to succeed – and how to avoid pitfalls. For more information call Randi Walker at 1-604-309-6683.  To register, click here

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Wood innovations and solutions for design and building to be presented at new national Virtual Wood Solutions Conference

November 12, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

OTTAWA – The latest innovations and solutions for wood design and building will be presented next week (November 16-20) at the national 2020 Virtual Wood Solutions Conference. Distinguished Canadian and international speakers, together with wood product experts at a virtual exhibit hall, will inform and inspire Canadian architects, engineers and other building professionals through the week. The conference, hosted by the Canadian Wood Council and its Wood WORKS! program with support from Natural Resources Canada and industry sponsors, is typically held annually in the Wood WORKS! regions, and will be presented nationally and virtually this year. Along with a lineup of 16 distinguished Canadian and international speakers, there will be an exhibit hall with industry leaders, design innovators and product experts on hand virtually to answer questions and provide wood design and building ideas and solutions. Attendees can obtain up to 14 continuing education credits.

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The Forest Stewardship Council Celebrates Forests for All Together this FSC Friday

Forest Stewardship Council
September 25, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

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.

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Canada’s Forestry Sector Announces Awards of Excellence Recipients, Celebrating its Best and Brightest

Forest Products Association of Canada
September 21, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

As the 100th anniversary of National Forest Week is celebrated across the country, Forest Products Association of Canada is using the opportunity to announce the recipients of its annual Awards of Excellence program. 2020 has been a year like no other and we have witnessed – firsthand – the resilience and commitment of our forest professionals and communities. Throughout it all, our people continued to produce essential products, safely sustain communities, and keep vital supply chains moving. Winners have been selected across several categories, including forest community champions, industry partners, Indigenous leadership, women in forestry, rising stars, innovation, and lifetime achievement.

 

FOREST COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
The Honourable Lisa Raitt – former MP for Milton, Ontario and Cabinet Minister
William Amos – MP for Pontiac, Quebec and Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry
Walt Cobb – Mayor, Williams Lake, British Columbia
Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Edward Wawia, Northern Superior Region, Anishinabek Nation

FPAC PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta – Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance project 
Ducks Unlimited Canada – Forest Management Wetlands Stewardship Initiative, Boreal Conservation Programs

FPAC OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD
Louise Riopel – Millar Western, Edmonton, Alberta
Kevin Larlee – AV Group, Nackawic, New Brunswick

FPAC / CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR ABORIGINAL BUSINESS INDIGENOUS BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Alain Paul – Granules LG Inc., Mashteuiatsh, Quebec

FPAC / CANADIAN COUNCIL OF FOREST MINISTERS’ SKILLS AWARD FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH
Autumn Quenville – Thunder Bay, Ontario
Raven Cardinal – Edmonton, Alberta
Hunter Corbiere – Waubaushene, Ontario

FPAC INNOVATION AWARD
Bonny Wood, Resolute Forest Products, Thunder Bay, Ontario

FPAC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Margaret Donnelly – Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Boyle, Alberta
Cindy Macdonald – West Fraser, Vancouver, British Columbia
Mark Feldinger – Canfor, Vancouver, British Columbia

FPAC WOMEN IN FORESTRY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Charlene Strelaeff – Mercer Celgar, Castlegar, British Columbia

FPAC RISING STAR AWARD
Faye Cuadra – Canfor Pulp, Prince George, British Columbia

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#2020CIF Diversity and Innovation – Cultivating Resilience in Forestry

Canadian Institute of Forestry
September 2, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

For the first time in CIF-IFC’s history, the 2020 National Conference and 112th AGM will be hosted in a completely virtual format. The forest sector continues to be dynamic and show resilience, despite the unprecedented challenges not seen in the modern era. This year’s theme “Diversity & Innovation – Cultivating Resilience in Forestry” recognizes that creative thinking by a diverse and inclusive network will foster the development of the forest sector’s capacity to adapt and recover from adversity. Join fellow forest practitioners and professionals from coast to coast and abroad as we highlight the emergence of innovative technologies, practices and research that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and mitigate climate change. The contribution of Indigenous Peoples to sustainable forest management in Canada, and the indispensability of their inclusion will be showcased. Themed sessions on international forestry perspectives, caribou management in Canada, and diversity and inclusion in the forest sector will be featured. New and emerging uses of wood as a sustainable, green resource will also be explored.

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Project Learning Tree launches Green Jobs Quiz

Project Learning Tree
July 24, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, United States

Find Your Green Job! Take this quiz to learn about your personality and some green jobs that might suit you best. This one-time free trial is intended for adults to test out PLT’s Green Jobs quiz. You’ll receive information about how to administer this quiz to youth you work with. By clicking submit, you agree you are over 18, and you agree to have your results emailed to you along with marketing information from PLT.

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Greenpeace supports FSC Canada

Forest Stewardship Council Newsroom
June 30, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada

FSC Canada’s forest certification, provides actionable ways to monitor forest use, trace and label timber, wood and pulp products and offers a quantifiable way to judge the quality of forest management practices against agreed upon requirements. FSC Canada’s standard for responsible forest management is the only one endorsed by Greenpeace Canada. …As we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the standard, FSC Canada and Greenpeace Canada want to encourage consumers to stand with us and stand up for forests by buying and asking for products from FSC certified forests.

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Beyond COVID-19, Global Mega Trends: FEA’s softwood conference wraps

Kelly McCloskey, Editor
The Tree Frog Forestry News
June 18, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, United States

FEA/Wood Markets 10th annual Global Softwood Log and Lumber conference—the virtual version, wrapped yesterday with six live Q&A sessions and a discussion on global mega-trends and their potential long-term impact post COVID-19. FEA’s current forecast calls for the overall economy to return to where it was in the fourth quarter of 2019— in the second half of 2022, whereas softwood lumber and other forest product consumption will regain their 2019-Q4 levels sometime in 2021. Underlying the FEA forecast… housing will outperform the US economy …employment recovery will struggle somewhat due to a second wave of lay-offs of higher earning employees …due to a flair-up and other concerns in China and South Korea, reduced COVID-19 recovery optimism suggests the economy will experience sluggish growth until a vaccine is found. …Responding to a question on the outlook for a resolution to the softwood lumber dispute in the next year or two, Paul Jannke responded that the parties are further apart rather than closer together—given current markets.

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North American log and lumber experts: FEA Softwood Conference

By Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Tree Frog Forestry News
June 15, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, United States

Robert Schuetz

The following is a brief recap of three speakers at FEA’s Global Softwood Lumber Conference—the virtual version, speaking on the North American market.

First up was FEA VP Rocky Goodnow with an update on softwood timber trends. …Goodnow says current markets have reached their bottom, prices will be steady in the fall and then start increasing late in the year and through 2021. …Rob Schuetz, President of Industrial Forest Service provided an overview on BC’s struggle in the face of declining log supplies. …Although some stumpage relief is forecast, Schuetz noted his May 2019 forecast (in conjunction with FEA) of 13 mill closures is mostly realized one year later, as eight mills have shuttered and many more are curtailed. Further, fewer sawmills results in fewer residual chips, which puts BC’s 17 pulp mills at risk; and less sawdust, shavings and hog puts pellet and bio-energy mills at risk as well. Bottom line, Schuetz says six more sawmills will likely close or continue to curtail shifts through 2025, and his long term sustainable lumber production estimate of 9.8 BBF, just over half of what BC produced back in 2005. …Finally, Jeff Webber, retired COO of EACOM Timber Corporation, provided his views on the state of the forest products industry in Quebec and Ontario. …Webber closed with some comments on his company’s COVID-19 challenges and response, which is a positive story of strong mitigation practices and continue operations.

Click here for Russ Taylor’s global overview on supply trends and competitive dynamics, Brendan Lowney’s forecast for the US economy, and Paul Jannke on North American lumber markets.

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COFI 2021 Virtual Convention Wrap-up

By Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO
BC Council of Forest Industries
April 8, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

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.

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade CEO Bridgitte Anderson moderated a great discussion with the CEOs of Mosaic Forest Management, West Fraser and Canfor. …Jeff Zweig said it’s an exciting time to be in the forest sector with contributions that BC products are making in the fight against climate change. Ray Ferris underscored that the forest industry of today is not the industry of 30 years ago. It’s about hiring app developers, data analysts, and technology professionals. …And Don Kayne concluded by saying the future is absolutely bright as we look to create a positive benefit for the planet. Premier John Horgan delivered the closing keynote. I couldn’t agree more with the Premier’s comments that we need to make sure that the forest industry thrives so that British Columbians can thrive.

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Fallen Loggers Memorial Bursary

Submitted by Suzanne Hopkinson
Loonies for Loggers
April 5, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

A $1500 bursary has been created by the Loonies for Loggers team on Vancouver Island. The bursary is available to grade 12 students on Vancouver Island, Powell River and Haida Gwaii pursuing a post secondary education or training within a forestry related field. Tamara Meggitt said in a Facebook post, “as everyone is aware, the forestry community lost two amazing people in March. Chris Bohn and Art Wagenstein. Art’s family asked that anyone wishing to do something in his honour make a donatation to Loonies for Loggers. After some discussion, Rona Doucette and I had decided the best way to honour Art and others was to create a bursary. We know that the deadline is short for this year, but with your help we can get this information out to all 2021 graduates. Feel free to email us at looniesforloggers@gmail.com as well and we can send you a copy.” 

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2nd Annual BC First Nations Forestry Conference Announced

BC First Nations Forestry Council
March 22, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

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.

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2020 – A Year of Challenges and Successes: BC Forest Safety Newsletter

BC Forest Safety Council Newsletter
February 26, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Rob Moonen

Most of us were happy to ring in 2021 and leave 2020 in the rearview mirror as a notable chapter in the history books. And while we still have some challenges ahead, the road map is becoming clearer to a post-pandemic world. The forest sectors’ history of resilience positioned it well to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19, supporting the BC government declaring forestry and silviculture practices as essential services early in the pandemic. These efforts were supported across the industry and involved a concerted effort by employers, workers, unions, contractors and industry associations working collectively to achieve a common goal. Because of the forest industry’s efforts and the priority placed on COVID 19 precautions, there were no known cases attributed to any forestry activity in BC last year. At the same time, an estimated 300 million trees were successfully planted in 2020 under these unprecedented circumstances, which is a remarkable undertaking.

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A path forward for the Old Growth Review process

By Jeff Bromley (United Steelworkers) and Susan Yurkovich (Council of Forest Industries)
The Vancouver Sun
February 25, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Jeff Bromley

Susan Yurkovich

As the B.C. government looks to begin consultations on the Old Growth Review, the United Steelworkers’ Wood Council and the B.C. Council of Forest Industries have joined together to offer a path forward that will benefit all British Columbians. …We agree with our provincial government that it is time to review and modernize forest policy in B.C. …To achieve this, we believe it is essential to first define a clear vision for B.C.’s forests. …With a vision set, we then need to create a province-wide implementation strategy for all B.C. forests. The strategy, like the Old Growth Review, needs to be comprehensive and include all Crown forest lands, parks, protected areas, and special management zones — not just old-growth in the timber harvesting land base. This must be in place before decisions are made about any potential further deferrals so that social and economic impacts are understood and unintended negative consequences avoided.

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Association of BC Forest Professionals Celebrate Award Winners

Association of BC Forest Professionals
February 12, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West


We are pleased to recognize recipients of our awards. These individuals have made great contributions to the association, the forestry profession and their communities.

Ladysmith’s Jim Girvan, North Saanich’s Kenneth Mitchell Honoured with Distinguished Forest Professional Awards 

The Distinguished Forest Professional award recognizes ABCFP registrants for outstanding contributions to the profession and for furthering the principles of the association.  “Though Jim may try to work quietly outside of the spotlight, his name is synonymous across North America in respect to fibre supply forecasting and the varied lobby efforts on the part of independent timber harvesting contractors, consultants, forest licensees, and investors,” said ABCFP president Trevor Joyce, RPF. …“All of Ken’s collaboration resulted in TASS calibrations for most commercial species, linkages to sawmill simulators, product outturn routines, and financial analysis systems, plus additional modules that evaluate genetic improvement, fertilization, non-timber attributes, and forest health issues,” Joyce said. 

North Saanich’s Neil Hughes honoured with 2020 Professional Forester of the Year award 

The Professional Forester of the Year award recognizes a Registered Professional Forester for outstanding recent service to the profession of forestry and for furthering the principles of BC forest professionals. “Neil demonstrated outstanding service to reforestation efforts during the 2020 planting season. The season was on track to be the largest single reforestation program in BC’s history with an objective of planting an estimated 300 million seedlings. But the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to derail everything,” said ABCFP president Trevor Joyce, RPF. 

ABCFP honours forest professionals for outstanding work and contributions in 2020 

The winner of BC Forest Professional Magazine Best Article was Dr. Siomonn Pulla, program head and Doctor of Social Sciences at Royal Roads University in Victoria. This 2020 winner of the Jim Rodney Memorial Volunteer of the Year is Guy Burdikin, an RPF from Williams Lake who has volunteered with the ABCFP since 2016 in roles related to climate change adaptation. 

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Celebrating the Association of BC Forest Professionals Award Winners

The Association of BC Forest Professionals
February 5, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Jim Girvan and Neil Hughes

Please join us to celebrate this year’s Association of BC Forest Professionals award winners and their milestone achievements. Our celebration will be a bit different from years’ past, as we all join together on the virtual landscape instead of face-to-face. We’ve produced a special video and everyone is welcome to attend. Feel free to share the link with your family, friends, and colleagues. Congratulations and best wishes to our award winners.

Distinguished Forest Professional
Jim Girvan, MBA, RPF

Distinguished Forest Professional
Kenneth Mitchell, PhD, RPF(Ret)

Professional Forester of the Year
Neil Hughes, M.Sc, RPF

Jim Rodney Memorial Volunteer of the Year
Guy Burdikin, RPF

BC Forest Professional Magazine Best Article
Siomonn Pulla, PhD

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ABCFP 2021 Virtual Conference – Inductees’ Recognition Event

The Association of BC Forest Professionals
February 4, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

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 video will go live on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 3:30 PM. The celebration is free for everyone to attend. Feel free to share the link with your friends, family, and colleagues. Congratulations and best wishes to all of our inductees. We wish you all the best in your professional careers. Special presenters will include: Trevor Swan, LLB, RPF, 73rd President, Association of BC Forest Professionals; Kathryn Willis, RPF, ABCFP Distinguished Forest 2020 and Senior Forester, Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc.; Kathleen Harfman, RFT, ABCFP Valedictorian; and Devon Murray, RPF, ABCFP Valedictorian.

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Events taking place today at the ABCFP virtual conference

The Association of BC Forest Professionals
February 4, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Katrine Conroy

There’s still plenty of room in the virtual conference rooms at the annual Association of BC Forest Professionals event. Don’t miss today’s Keynote Address from Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Today’s educational sessions include Forestry, First Nations and Reconciliation (Clifford White and Garry Merkel), Building a Biodiversity Based Economy by Making Peace with Nature (Dr. Federica Di Palma), Fibre Use and the Future of Wood Pellets (Gordon Murray), and What Should We be Planting for Current and Future Climates? (Colin Mahony, Pamela Dykstra, Sally Aitken and Will MacKenzie). Throughout the day, you are invited to spend some time with the exhibitors on the tradeshow platform and converse with their representatives. 

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ABCFP virtual conference starts today!

The Association of BC Forest Professionals
February 3, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Trevor Swan

Registration remains open for the 2021 Association of BC Forest Professionals’ Virtual Conference and AGM. The event kicks-off this morning with the association’s AGM. This is followed by the opening of the virtual tradeshow floor and a welcome address from Trevor Swan, LLB, RPF, the ABCFP’s 73rd president. The first professional development workshops take place before lunch. Chose between “Business Ethics: It Starts with You“, presented by Shawn Ireland, Ed.D or “Understanding Risk Assessment and Management“, with Glynnis Horel, P.Eng, FEC, HM. After a lunch break in the tradeshow, don’t miss a key information session on the new Professional Governance Act, hosted by ABCFP executive director, Christine Gelowitz, RPF. Legislation to fully implement The Professional Governance Act (PGA) comes into effect Friday, February 5, 2021. At the same time, the Foresters Act, which has governed the ABCFP since 1947, will be repealed. How will this affect you? Finish up the day with a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues at the social networking session. And just a reminder, for registered participants, conference content will be available on demand for 90 days!

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Tree Frog News readership grows by 70% in three years

By Sandy McKellar
Tree Frog Forestry News
January 29, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Lucky 13! Yes, it was thirteen years ago that the first Tree Frog Forestry News email went out to a small group of forest education volunteers with a collection of the top forestry news stories. Then, like a snowball, it got bigger the longer it rolled along. Today we’ve gone from 15 readers to thousands daily, and not just in BC, we have subscribers from all over the world! We track our readers through both our daily email subscribers and our website analytics. This allows us to paint a picture of our readers and track our success. Over the last three years, we’ve seen a 70% increase in annual unique visitors to more than 57,500. I believe that one of the reasons for the growth is the way we create our daily service. We’re not a computer algorithm or a word-matching program—the Tree Frog news editors are forestry professionals with decades of experience in the sector. And we open and read every story to decide what to carry for our readers. We make every effort to remain unbiased in our selection. We post articles that we believe are of value to those working in and associated with the forest sector. The breadth of coverage we provide is reflected in the demographics of our audience.

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With An Eye to the Future, DR Systems Welcomes Heidi Walsh as Co-owner

DR Systems Inc.
December 3, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

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.” 

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Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy named B.C. Minister of Forests

By Betsy Kline
The Nelson Star
November 26, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy has been appointed as B.C. Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development in John Horgan’s new NDP cabinet. Conroy has represented the West Kootenay in the B.C. Legislature since 2005. During her last term in office, Conroy served as Minister of Children and Family Development and the minister responsible for the Columbia River Treaty. Related appointments include:

  • Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen appointed Minister of State for lands and natural resource operations (My Prince George Now)
  • Roly Russell appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development (The Star)

Forest sector related cabinet positions include:

  • Agriculture, Food and Fisheries: Lana Popham
  • Education: Jennifer Whiteside
  • Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation: Bruce Ralston
  • Environment and Climate Change Strategy: George Heyman
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Murray Rankin
  • Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation: Ravi Kahlon
  • Minister of State for Trade: George Chow
  • Labour: Harry Bains
  • Transportation and Infrastructure: Rob Fleming

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Ric Slaco to retire after 41-year career at Interfor

Interfor Corporation
November 20, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

Ric Slaco

Ric Slaco – 1979

After an impressive 41-year career at Interfor, Ric Slaco, Vice President & Chief Forester has decided to retire effective February 28, 2021. Ric graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1979 with a Degree in Forestry and started his career at British Columbia Forest Products. After a series of takeovers, Ric joined the Interfor team in 1991. It is rare to join an organization out of school and retire over 41 years later. He has spent the last 18 years at Interfor as our Vice President and Chief Forester. Throughout his tenure, Ric has championed so many of our key initiatives with hard work, strong leadership, and a continual focus on making other people successful along the way. Ric’s team focused approach is commendable, and we are fortunate that he will continue to be a part of Interfor in an advisory capacity post retirement. “I would like to thank Ric for his numerous contributions to Interfor. We hope that Ric and his wife Debbie enjoy a retirement filled with family, travel, and tennis,” said Andrew Horahan, Vice President, Western Operations. [END]

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BC communities lauded for architectural and structural use of wood in design and building

Wood WORKS! BC and BC Wood
September 23, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

NORTH VANCOUVER – As the virtual annual convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is underway this week, leading BC organizations involved with wood in design and building are applauding local governments for their vision and leadership for wood use in communities. Wood WORKS! BC together with BC Wood are noting the many community projects in the past few years that have showcased wood products and building systems, including mass timber, in design, technology and construction. …“Advancements in construction techniques, wood product technology and innovative building design are within reach for communities of every size,” stated Lynn Embury-Williams, executive director, Wood WORKS! BC. …“We are seeing new and innovative wood products and building systems being used by local governments all across the province, and we applaud them for advancing wood use while providing economic benefits for their communities,” explained Brian Hawrysh, chief executive officer of BC Wood

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100 years of research in BC

By the Office of the Chief Forester
Government of British Columbia
September 23, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

100 years ago the Province of British Columbia started investing in forest research. It was 1921 when the BC Forest Branch hired the first research scientist, J.L. Alexander, to work on forest regeneration, growth and yield, and fire protection. Since then the Research Program has delivered high-quality research, establishing BC as a world leader in natural resources stewardship. Over the past half century Research Program staff have produced more than 3,000 publications and decision aids that play a pivotal role in informing the public and the decision makers. The Ministry’s Research Program is organized into six Research Portfolios plus a vibrant Forest Genetics program. The Research Program is represented by more than 70 research scientists plus dozens of technicians, students, and auxiliary staff. We are honoring this major milestone with a YouTube video hosted by Steve Baumber, RPF, and a series of articles in the upcoming issues of the ABCFP magazine. Feel free to contact Francesco.Cortini@gov.bc.ca for more information.

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Connecting Indigenous Talent with Forestry Sector Opportunities

BC First Nations Forestry Council
August 17, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

We’re creating a virtual event that will go on for two weeks, starting September 21, 2020. During this time, students will be able to learn about new opportunities in forestry and find out more about industry leaders in their fields. Unlike similar events happening online right now, we’re choosing to take a slightly different approach by focusing more on engagement using quizzes, forms, video, and more. This way, we’re able to stay away from hosting Live video conferencing and other forms of content that require exhibitors and participants to be together in real-time. Once registered to exhibit, organizations will be asked to complete an online form to supply us with your content (such as videos or infographics, pictures and links, handouts, and more) prior to the event. Using all of this information, our team will create their unique booth experience. They’ll also be able to create short video clips showing what working or partaking in your programs might look like. Students will be able to submit their information to exhibitors they are most interested in after browsing through your information. This way you’ll have a list of candidates with all of their information at your fingertips.

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North American engineered wood and mass timber experts: FEA Softwood Conference

Kelly McCloskey, Editor
The Tree Frog Forestry News
June 18, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: Canada, Canada West

François Robichaud

François Robichaud, FEA Partner, provided an update and outlook on engineered wood products, which are heavily influenced by the health of the US housing market (given that 80% of MSR, I-Joists and LVL is used here). All three products will thus decline and recover in line with FEA’s related market forecasts with some variation. …Art Schmon, FEA partner, provided an overview of mass timber panels and markets… described them as “non-commodities” employed in a “vertically, integrated building solution business”—where the manufacturing process is only about 25% of the business. …Lucus Epp, Engineering Manager at StructureCraft, provided an overview of his company, the history of mass timber and why its consideration and use is growing. …Mike Schmidt, President of Auto Construct spoke of the challenges and opportunities that lie in the emerging business of industrial scale, panelized manufacturing, such as that being pursued by Kattera.

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Seven Billion Board Feet of Incremental Demand

By Don Kayne, President & CEO, Canfor Corporation
Softwood Lumber Board
October 1, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: United States

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.

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Seven Billion Board Feet of Incremental Demand

By Don Kayne, President & CEO, Canfor Corporation
Softwood Lumber Board
October 1, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: United States

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.

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Chuck Leavell, “The Treeman” on the importance of managing forests with fire.

By Adam Ruback
YouTube
December 15, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: United States, US West

Chuck Leavell reinforces the importance of fire as a tool for managing forests, going back 100’s of years to the native Americans.

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The Tree Man: Film following life of Chuck Leavell comes to Macon Film Festival

By Taylor Drake
13WMAZ
August 13, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: United States, US East

MACON, Ga. — The 15th annual Macon Film Festival is back in town and there are plenty of screenings to get excited about. Among the films showing this year, one documentary three years in the making shines the spotlight on one of rock and roll’s most legendary pianists. “Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man” will show Friday night at The Grand Opera House. “The Tree Man” delves into three aspects of Leavell’s life: music, forest conservation, and family. …The documentary features interviews with many of Leavell’s friends and fellow musicians including Mick Jagger, Keith Richardson, and Eric Clapton. In addition to exploring Leavell’s life in the music world, the film details his work in conservation forestry. Leavell says that while he enjoyed reminiscing on his time touring around the world, his favorite part of the movie is the love story between him and his wife Rose Lane White.

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New partnership promotes well-being benefits of wood

The Timber Trades Journal
March 23, 2021
Category: Special Feature
Region: International

Stora Enso Wood Products has launched a whitepaper showcasing the science behind the health and well-being benefits of building with timber. Developed in partnership with the Technical University of Munich, the in-depth literature review highlights points such as wood’s ability to reduce stress and boost productivity levels. This includes a decrease in cortisol levels by 7.5%, implying a stress-reducing effect. Other aspects mentioned include the ability of wooden classrooms to significantly lower heart rates and lower perception of stress. Furthermore, studies showing Coronaviruses applied to wooden surfaces can only be replicated for 12 hours, whereas on surfaces made of plastic, stainless steel, glass and masonry, the viruses remain multipliable for up to 96 hours. …The research that shows exposure to essential tree oils can result in an increase in natural killer cells which is an indicator of a strengthened immune system. …Air humidity research shows wood can keep the ideal range of humidity (40-70%) for a longer period of time.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Total Wine & More
March 17, 2020
Category: Special Feature
Region: International

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. 

Saint Patrick is the most well-known of all of Ireland’s patron saints, but surprisingly, he wasn’t Irish. He was born in Great Britain, but was kidnapped from his home by pirates at the age of 16 and forced into slavery in Ireland. He eventually escaped and returned to Great Britain, where he became a bishop. A vision inspired him to return to Ireland and convert all the pagans to Christianity.

The Irish holiday began to honour St. Patrick on the anniversary of his death. It was a day when the Catholic church feasted and removed drinking restrictions. In the 1840s, Irish immigrants in the US kicked it up a notch, adding green in honour of the shamrock – and the drinking festival was born! 

You can read a more detailed version of this in the read more link! 

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