December 7, 1999 For Immediate Release

The successes, failures, needs, and opportunities of the small-scale forestry sector will be explored at a workshop at UNBC on Wednesday, December 8th.

More than 50 people interested in forestry and community development will be attending the workshop to discuss a research report on the small-scale forestry sector that was produced by UNBC professor Heather Myers and graduate student Kyle Whiting. The report provides an overview of the sector and includes information on the economic impact of the small-scale industry, financing, product markets and marketing, wood access, technological investment, among other characteristics.

"Small-scale forestry enterprises rarely get political or public attention, and this research has been conducted to ensure their needs are recognized," says Dr Myers. The workshop on Wednesday will include forestry entrepreneurs, government representatives, industry officials, the Northern Commissioner's office, banks, and other community development agencies. The participants will discuss the research findings and identify how to implement some of the report's recommendations.

The workshop will run from 9am - 6pm in Conference Centre Room 6-205 & 211. There will be a plenary session at the start of the day, followed by discussion in small groups. The closing plenary will likely begin around 3:30pm. The media are welcome.

The small-scale sector includes furniture makers, horse loggers and other loggers, log-home builders, custom sawmills, art and instrument makers, and silviculture and planning consultants. The research was conducted throughout 1998 and included interviews with 77 enterprises in Prince George, Quesnel, Likely, Williams Lake, 150 Mile House, McBride, Valemount, Fort St James, Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser, Burns Lake, Houston, Telkwa, Smithers, and Francois Lake. Together, they employ about 160 people and contribute $6 million to their local economies in payroll alone.

The research has been supported by Forest Renewal BC.