Prince George, B.C. – It is National Forest Week, and for some School District 57 students, it means it is time for a walk in the woods.The Canadian Institute of Forestry  sponsored  bus trips   and  a volunteer guide to  take students through the Willow River  trails to  learn more about  forests.   (at right Peter Forsberg points out  how needles are used to identify  trees, in this case a sub alpine fir-photo submitted).

Amanda Brittain is the  Director of Communications for the Association of BC Forest Professionals, she says  it’s  important people realize  how valuable  forests are  “There’s more to  forestry than harvesting trees,  our forests are a huge draw for tourists, there are all kinds of spin offs from the  tourism business.”

This year, the  theme for  Forest Week is ” Wildland Fires,  You CAN Make a Difference”.  The theme was chosen long before the  fire season in B.C.  would  see flames scorch 303,541 hectares. “Anything that increases knowledge about forests is an excellent thing” says Brittain.

She says it’s all about being fire smart ” If you’re out camping, being cognisant of your  fires, obeying fire bans,  you want to make sure  your fire is out properly, if you live  rurally making sure your property is fire smart  and taking care of picking up debris.  There’s also a lot  of communities  that want a  Canadian wildfire protection plan.”

In fact, West Kelowna has a resolution before the Union  of BC Municipalities calling on the Ministry  of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to “establish, fund and conduct a province-wide wildfire proofing program on public and private interface lands to protect British Columbia’s residents and infrastructure.”

Today is National Tree Day, as part of   National Forest Week.  There will be a tree planting this morning at Duchess Park.