Vancouver — Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) honoured 11 individuals as part of its recognition program in Victoria on February 6.

FPBC recognized four Distinguished Forest Professionals, one Forest Professional of the Year, one volunteer of the year, and five authors for best magazine article at the 77th FPBC forestry conference recognition banquet.

“Congratulations to those recognized,” said Kerri Simmons, RPF, FPBC Board chair. “Their dedication, expertise, and achievements serve as an inspiration to all forest professionals. Highlighting their efforts provides forest professionals with an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of their peers and honour those who, through their work in forestry, serve the public interest and built trust and confidence in the work of the profession and its registrants.”

Mark Hay, RPF, of Vernon, Steve Kozuki, RPF(Ret), of Williams Lake, Randy Waterous, RFT, of Grand Forks, and the late Cindy Stern, RPF, of Parksville, were honoured as Distinguished Forest Professionals. This category recognizes significant accomplishments over a career, for providing outstanding service to the profession of forestry and for furthering the principles of FPBC. It is the profession’s highest honour for a registrant.

Colin Mahony, PhD, RPF, of Victoria, is the Forest Professional of the Year, recognizing a Registered Professional Forester (RPF), Registered Forest Technologist (RFT), or Affiliated Forest Professional (AFP) for recent, outstanding service to the profession of forestry and furthering the principles of FPBC.

Pete Laing, RPF, of Campbell River, is the Jim Rodney Memorial Volunteer of the Year, recognizing a registered forest professional for providing outstanding volunteer service to FPBC.

Lastly, Rachel Dalton, RPF, of Alert Bay, Mike Davis, RPF, of Campbell River, Stuart Glen, RPF, of Campbell River, Michael Green, BSc, RFT, of Port McNeill, and Brian SvanVik , of the ‘Namgis First Nation, collaborated on the BC Forest Professional Magazine Best Article. This category recognizes individuals who have written outstanding articles for publication in BCFP magazine.

FPBC recognition is based on nominations submitted by other forest professionals.