Truck loggers, First Nations and forest companies see opportunity in BC’s new forestry plan, while ENGOs say it sets the stage for more conflict. In related news: UNDRIP is behind Horgan’s measured approach; Tom Fletcher on Horgan’s go-slow tenure take-back; and Forest Minister Conroy’s response to the protests—says additional deferrals expected.
In other news: lumber prices whipsaw again as US softwood tariffs gather heat; timber royalty rates are on the rise but not in New Brunswick; the San Group plans to expand its Port Alberni, BC operations; Red Leaf Pulp will build a straw pulp mill in Regina, Saskatchewan; and Canfor promotes vaccinations with charitable donations.
Finally, registration for the 2021 Virtual Canadian Bioeconomy Conference is open and FREE.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
A late-day surge helped lumber prices avoid a seventh straight daily decline as the commodity’s blistering 250% rally over the past year whipsaws. Prior to the recovery, lumber futures traded down 2.41% to $1,237 per thousand board feet on Wednesday. Despite the rebound, the commodity is still down roughly 20% from its May 7 record high of $1,670.50 per thousand board feet. As lumber prices fluctuate, local news outlets continue to reveal the effects of historically high lumber prices on consumers. ABC’s Louisville outlet reported the story of Kenny Marine of Kentucky Hot Brown Pedalboards, who says his costs have more than doubled since last year. …CBS’s affiliate KXAN in Williamson County, Texas, reported that the construction of a new county-run children’s advocacy center is on hold. …Republicans have used rising lumber prices and inflation concerns as political tools to attack President Biden’s administration.
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Each year, many forested areas in Canada are being severely impacted or threatened by forest fires. Communities located near those areas must often be evacuated and suffer enormous material losses. One of the priorities of fire agencies is to protect those communities located in forest areas. This includes proactively reducing the risk of wildfire entering communities through the treatment of the forest fuels. As part of its 
Forest recreation is important in British Columbia. It helps to support a thriving tourism industry, and contributes to a lifestyle for many British Columbian’s who enjoy BC’s natural beauty and recreating in outdoor areas. This special report has been prompted by multiple concerns and complaints received by the Board about outdoor recreation activities and how recreation values are managed under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). Examples include: management of forestry activities within designated recreation sites; impacts of forestry activities on recreation resources; and perceived gaps in management of forest recreation values including underutilization of the management tools provided in FRPA. The Board has observed that problems can occur when there is no planning for recreation resource values or where objectives and desired outcomes for these values are not clear.
Vancouver, BC – The BC First Nations Forestry Council acknowledges the release of the Province of British Columbia’s Intentions Paper, “Modernizing Forest Policy in BC.” As part of this work, the Forestry Council is hopeful the Province will act on the commitment made to the Nations in 2018 to implement the 
In Black Rock Forest, just north of New York City, Angie Patterson aims a shotgun at a northern red oak tree. Patterson is a plant ecophysiologist, and the leaves that she’s shooting out of the canopy will give her data to understand how and why trees migrate. Trees have been on the move since at least the last ice age. As their native habitats become inhospitable, tree ranges shift, slowly, to areas they can thrive. But climate change is disrupting the process, scientists say. As of 2019, the IUCN Red List categorized more than 20,000 tree species as threatened, and upward of 1,400 as critically endangered.
“Call it carbon mining.” Addressing the crowd at a public meeting in Weston on Monday night, Five Forks farmer Jane Smith suggested the word “farming” was no longer used in association with carbon forestry. “The term farming suggests you are looking after a resource sustainably, long term, into perpetuity — and this certainly is not,” Mrs Smith said. “So let’s call it carbon mining.” Two public meetings on carbon forestry have been held in North Otago recently, sparked by concerns about the sale of Hazeldean, a 2500ha farm near Tokarahi, to New Zealand Carbon Farming (NZCF). NZCF plans to plant about 1500ha of Hazeldean in a permanent pine forest to mitigate climate change through carbon credits. …Port Blakely managing director and Forest Owners Association president Phil Taylor said Waitaki farmers should not miss the opportunity to take advantage of forestry.
One of B.C.’s biggest forestry companies will be donating funds to charity for each employee vaccinated against COVID-19. To continue to promote the safest possible workplace and support the health and well-being of their communities, Canfor is encouraging all of its employees across North America to get vaccinated, said senior director of communications and government relations Michelle Ward. “As a show of appreciation, once employees are fully vaccinated, they are eligible for a gift or donation in their honour to a named charity,” Ward said. Canfor is also donating $25 to Habitat for Humanity for every employee vaccinated, she added. The company has a number of operations across northern B.C., including Vanderhoof, Chetwynd, Prince George, Fort St. John, Houston, Mackenzie and Taylor. It estimates approximately 3,500 employees in the province will be eligible for the program.