March 19, 2002 For Immediate Release

Topics ranging from the softwood lumber dispute to the movement of glaciers in northern BC will be discussed this weekend at a research symposium being held at UNBC's Prince George campus. Resource managers, foresters, northern scientists, and the general public are all invited to attend the event this Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. Admission is free and a small lunch will be provided.

The symposium, hosted by the graduate seminar students in the College of Science and Management, will showcase some of the latest academic research by students and professors at the university. The presentations will fill the TELUS Student Services Street with talks scheduled for rooms nearby.

On Friday, a variety of research posters will be displayed from 7 to 9pm during a public wine and cheese reception. On Saturday, faculty and students will deliver short 20-minute lectures, describing their work and results from a variety of disciplines, including forestry, biology, chemistry, resource management and the social sciences. Specific topics will include the softwood lumber dispute, the BC salmon canning industry, fish habitat, the movement of glaciers in northern BC, the spread of tree diseases, and wildlife habitat in clear-cuts. Max Blouw, Vice-President of Research at UNBC, will deliver the opening address at 9am. The lectures will wrap up at 3pm with an awards presentation.

Keynote presentations will be given between 10:40 - 11am by Greg Halseth and Joselito Arocena, the University's Canada Research Chairs. Dr Arocena is a specialist in soil science and conducts research on the importance of minerals for plant productivity and environmental issues. Dr Halseth's research aims to identify the trends at work in reshaping the economies of rural Canada.

UNBC is a research-intensive university with much of its research activity directly relevant to the social, environmental, and economic issues of the North.