May 6, 2005 for immediate release

As north-central BC struggles tocope with the mountain pine beetle infestation, the UNBC School ofEnvironmental Planning is hosting a conference to consider how the region canmore effectively plan for its own stability.

Titled Livelihoods andEcosystems: Dealing with Complexity in the Forest of Central Interior BC,the conference will bring together close to 50 industry professionals,researchers, and government officials to discuss effective resourcemanagement policies.

“For years, we’ve talked about thehealth of our forest industry and the people of northern BC,” says Planningprofessor David Connell. “It’s now appropriate that we think about thetrade-offs and contradictions we face in planning for a healthy future.”

Speakers will include experts inthe field:

- Jon O’Riordan, a former deputyminister in Sustainable Resource Management

- Bob Clark, the provincial barkbeetle coordinator for the Ministry of Forests

- David Rapport, a researcher whoco-developed the Forest Capital Index, a method for governments to assesschanges in forest ecosystem health at the national or regional level.

The UNBC workshop is part of aseries of seven workshops, five of which will be held in Canada and two in Africa. The purpose of the workshop is to assist the Canadian International DevelopmentAgency (CIDA) to advance its rural development policy. “It will be a mutuallearning environment,” Connell explains. “North-central BCbenefits from CIDA’s expertise and CIDA will learn from us about dealing withthe mountain pine beetle.” The workshop at UNBC is an example of howsustainable livelihoods and ecosystem health can be used to understand bothdomestic and international issues.

The conference will take place atUNBC on May 17 and 18.  There will be two public presentations.  OnTuesday evening, O’Riordan and Clark will discuss policy options when dealingwith the mountain pine beetle.  On Wednesday evening, Rapport will discussthe present and future prospects of implementing ‘ecosystem health’ programs.

Contact:

David Connell, Environmental Planning professor, UNBC –250.960.5835

or Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations,UNBC – 250.960.5622