Research Endowment To Support sustainable Forests In Northern British Columbia
PRINCE GEORGE - The University of Northern British Columbia has used contributions from Forest Renewal BC and forest company partners to appoint two internationally recognized forestry researchers who will set up major research programs on growth rates and conditions in the forests of northern B.C.
Forest Renewal BC contributed more than $6.5 million to the research endowment, with Slocan Forest Products providing $400,000 and West Fraser Timber contributing $250,000.
"In northern B.C. we have limited knowledge of how well our mixed-wood and second-growth stands are growing," said Prince George North MLA Paul Ramsey. "This research will help us determine the status of the fibre supply that supports forestry jobs in communities across the North."
"To sustain a resource, you have to know how it's growing," said Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Lois Boone. "The UNBC research will help us maintain a certain level of wood supply for our mills, while at the same time showing us how to leave a lighter footprint on the land."
The research endowment will support work in mixed-wood ecology and management, and in forest growth and yield. Mixed-wood ecology and management focuses on broad-leaf and coniferous forests, mainly in the Peace River area. The research will help forest managers devise plans that allow for harvesting shorter trees while leaving older, higher trees in place to maintain forest ecology. Forest growth and yield research aims to build reliable information models on growth rates and conditions.
Oscar Garcia and Chris Hawkins have been hired by UNBC to chair and develop the new research programs.
Garcia will co-ordinate the forest growth and yield research program. He has implemented growth and yield projects in New Zealand, Spain and Chile, and has wide experience developing forest planning systems.
Hawkins, a forestry professor at UNBC when he accepted the appointment as chair of the mixed-wood ecology research program, has 13 years experience in industry, government, and academia in Western Canada and the northwestern United States.
The research programs build on UNBC's new $1.6-million I.K. Barber Enhanced Forestry Laboratory, officially opened in early March. Funding for the lab, which includes four separate greenhouse compartments for plant growth and yield experiments and a lab for experiments on soil composition and nutrients, was provided by a partnership of Slocan, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund and Forest Renewal BC.
"The timing of the opening of the enhanced forestry laboratory and the appointment of the two chairs is opportune," said Slocan Group chair Ike Barber. "There needs to be a clear demonstration to ourselves, and indeed the world, that we are effectively managing and replacing the forest resources we harvest. Strong communication and co-ordination among government, industry and the university will accomplish the simple goal of growing more and better trees."
West Fraser Timber's Russ Clinton, senior vice-president of corporate development, said: "It is with a real sense of pride that West Fraser Timber sponsors the UNBC chair for Interior growth and yield. The research will help us understand the dynamics of second-growth forests and then apply that knowledge to the management practices of the industry."
UNBC president Charles Jago said: "These endowments will increase links between the university, industry and government. Industry can identify problems that need further study, and our world-class research will have quick application in the field and inform government policy."
Forest Renewal BC's 2000-01 business plan forecasts $32.7 million for research, innovation and endowments. That includes funding support to more than 170 ongoing and new research and development projects alone to fill knowledge gaps and improve existing knowledge about forest-related processes and relationships.
