2008 Forest Capital of B.C.

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

The City and Lheidli T’enneh share trophy presented by Paul Knowles, ABCFP

Prince George, B.C. -  The City of Prince George and Lheidli T’enneh have been awarded the title of ’Forest Capital of BC’ by the Association of BC Forest Professionals.

It is the first time Prince George has received the designation, and the first time the ABCFP has issued the award jointly to a municipal government and First Nations group.

Association Chair Paul Knowles says, "While the area surrounding Prince George and Lheidli T’enneh has been hard-hit by the mountain pine beetle, the communities have rallied, re-planted trees in parks, and have decided to make the best of a bad situation." 

Knowles says the joint bid put forward in vying for the ’capital’ designation is another perfect example, with support for the local bid coming from a broad base and a diverse calendar of events planned to celebrate throughout the coming year.

Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick says, "This recognition is important for the City of Prince George because of the mountain pine beetle epidemic."

"The City and the Lheidli T’enneh are being proactive on how to address this problem." 

Frederick says the ’Forest Capital’ designation is about more than just the forest economy, it also recognizes the forest, the land, and the sustenance that is derived from the land -- all of which are important attributes for the region.  And, he says, it’s important to highlight these attributes for future generations.

Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley says, "The award acknowledges what we’ve all known for years -- that we have the best, most innovative forest industry in the province, that we are seeing opportunities to our challenges and that the people of Prince George and area have the best backyard forests anywhere in the world."

The crowd on hand at UNBC’s Winter Garden for the award presentation

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