Vancouver — Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) recognized eight professional foresters for their outstanding contributions to the forestry profession last year at its 76th annual conference in Kelowna, February 7-9, 2024.
“These awards recognize the dedication, expertise and achievements of forest professionals over the course of a career,” said Kelly Kitsch, FPBC board chair.
“Congratulations to the award winners; their achievements serve as an inspiration to all forest professionals who work diligently and passionately every day to ensure BC’s forests are sustainably managed for future generations.”
FPBC awards are based on nominations submitted by other forest professionals.
Kevin Horsnell, MBA, RPF, of Prince George, Laurie Kremsater, MSc, RPF, RPBio, of Abbotsford, and Jeff McWilliams, RPF, of North Vancouver were all given the Distinguished Forest Professional award. The Distinguished Forest Professional is FPBC’s highest award, given to professional foresters who over the course of their career have made outstanding contributions to the practice of forestry.
Barry Snowdon, RPF, of Victoria, is the 2023 Professional Forester of the Year. The award recognizes a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) for outstanding recent service to the forestry profession and for furthering FPBC’s principles.
The Jim Rodney Memorial Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Tara Bergeson, MSc, RPF, of Kelowna, while the Forest Innovation award went to Victoria‘s Alvin Yanchuk, PhD, RPF.
David Beleznay, RPF, P.Eng, of Nanaimo is the 2023 Climate Change Innovator.
Lastly, the BC Forest Professional Magazine (BCFP) Best Article of the Year award went to Peter Flett, MSFM, RPF, of Penticton. The article, Keys to Improving Forest Recovery Post-wildfire: The Critical Roles of Proper Planning, Implementation, and First Nations’ Collaboration, ran in the spring edition of BCFP.
Michael Ryan, RPBio, was also awarded FPBC honorary membership which recognizes a non-FPBC registrant for outstanding contributions to forestry.
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FPBC is responsible for registering and regulating the province’s 5,300 professional foresters and forest technologists.
For more information:
- Dean Pelkey, communications director
- Direct: 604-331-2321
- E-mail: dpelkey@fpbc.ca
- Web: ca