Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Health Check on B.C.'s Forests

By 250 News

B.C. Chief Forester, Jim Snetsinger

The Ministry of Forests is sponsoring a two-day symposium underway at the University of Northern B.C..

B.C.'s Chief Forester says the objective is to assess the ecological rather than the economic health of B.C.'s woods.  Jim Snetsinger says the symposium has brought forest managers, government, first nations, ranchers and some of the world's leading forest science experts together to look at the challenges facing the forest ecosystem.

Snetsinger says that includes, but is not limited to, the Mountain Pine Beetle.  He says other stresses include climate change, wildfire, pathogens and other insects.  And he points out that the pine beetle actually gives the northern interior the unique opportunity to,  "shape the design of future forests."

In addition to these "agents of change", participants will be looking at whether current practises are preparing the province well for the future.

The Chief Forester says the symposium has a great line up of speakers running until 9pm this evening and, then, tomorrow, those in attendance will divide up into six working groups, tackling different issues.  Snetsinger says, with a good depth and breadth of knowledge on-hand, he's hopeful the end result will be a report on how to prepare B.C.' s forests for the future.


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