First out with their Q4 and full year 2020 financial results is Weyerhaeuser; while Domtar announced their CEO has contracted Covid-19. In other Business news: Verso Co. has a new CEO; Trudeau’s tree planting pledge could cost twice what’s budgeted; BC’s premier speaks to his recovery fund and low-carbon goals; and US new home sales bounce back from 4-month downtrend.
In other News: WoodTALKS at the GBM highlights the benefits of mass timber construction; Dovetail speaks to the pace of forest certification change; BC Timber Sales gets a good audit; the Forest Enhancement Society of BC’s wildfire reduction efforts; and Carbon Trust certifies Mosaic’s carbon footprint.
Finally, the Tree Frog readership is up 70%! Care to know the company you keep?
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
This week, more that 600 buyers, sellers and specifiers of value-added wood products gathered (virtually) for the 17th annual Global Buyers Mission (GBM), Canada’s largest and most important wood show of its kind. Although the GBM tradeshow has been connecting wood buyers and sellers “live online” all week, WoodTALKS—a wood design and construction education event held in conjunction with the GBM—kicked off Thursday. BC Wood’s Ken Hori opened the event, welcoming the large number of architects and other building sector professionals in virtual attendance.
The B.C. government is investing $10 million in a new FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund, as part of its economic recovery plan to create jobs and help communities cope with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund we’re announcing today will create jobs and help protect people and communities from wildfires,” said Premier John Horgan. “As we prepare for another year of potentially challenging summer weather, while dealing with the economic impacts of COVID-19, our government is working to keep people safe and provide skills training and job opportunities for those who need them.” …The FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund will be administered by the Union of BC Municipalities. Funded projects will encourage economic development, reduce wildfire risks, allow people to develop new job skills and help protect forests and communities from harm.
VICTORIA – An audit of BC Timber Sales (BCTS) and timber sale licence (TSL) holders in the Seaward-tlasta business area in the North Island-Central Coast and Campbell River natural resource districts found compliance with B.C.’s forestry legislation, according to a report released Jan. 28, 2021. …“This operating area is remote and rugged, and many sites are accessible only by boat or air. The terrain can be challenging, and there are many important forest values that need to be managed for. We are pleased to see that BCTS and TSL holders are doing a good job in this business area,” said board chair, Kevin Kriese. …Auditors examined operational planning, silviculture activities, road and bridge maintenance, construction and deactivation, timber harvesting and fire protection. All activities carried out between September 2019 and September 2020 were included in the audit.
Nanaimo, BC — Mosaic Forest Management announced another step forward in its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by securing certification of its organizational carbon footprint*. Certified by the Carbon Trust, a global climate change and sustainability consultancy, this organizational carbon footprint is voluntary and forms the new baseline for Mosaic’s journey to enhance its environmental outcomes. When TimberWest and Island Timberlands affiliated as Mosaic Forest Management in 2018, a key commitment was to minimize emissions and maximize forest carbon sequestration associated with the combined operations. The voluntary carbon accounting journey started at TimberWest in 2016 when independent auditors, carbon specialists and forest professionals measured and modelled the carbon footprint across its supply chain from seed to customer. The approach was believed to be the first of its kind globally for a forest company.
