January 2014 Newsletter

REGISTER NOW !
Mobile Technology Workshops - Kamloops - February 7 and Nelson - February 11
If you are interested in some of the latest apps for data collection or you want to know about how to find your way in the bush with your smart phone then this workshop will be a good use of your time. In partnership with the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations, we are offering  workshops with Andy Muma and Lisa Moore on setting up and using mobile technology for office and field work. Participants should bring their smart phones and tablets.  The presenters’ examples will be based on iPads and iPhones, but some of the apps and most of the functionality can be applied to other devices.
Check out the workshop agenda

Both sessions will run from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Lunch is included. Space is limited, so register today.
Register for Kamloops - free event courtesy Shuswap Nation Tribal Council
Register for Nelson - $30 fee

BCCFA 2014 Conference and AGM - Save the dates - June 11-14, 2014 in Williams Lake. Hosted by the Likely Xat'sull and the Esk'etemc Community Forests. 

Welcome to the new BCCFA board members
Dave Gill (Westbank) and Duncan McKellar (Tumbler Ridge) have been appointed to serve on the board for the remainder of the year. Both Dave and Duncan expressed interest in being on the board through the BCCFA member survey. They will serve as directors until the next AGM at which point they can stand for election through the regular process.

New Opportunity?
BCTS is offering a range of partnership options for community forests and First Nations. Esk'etemc First Nation has recently started on an ungulate winter range project in partnership with BCTS. Contact  Laurie McCulligh, Business Relations Officer, BC Timber Sales Laurie.McCulligh@gov.bc.ca more information 

Aberni Valley Community Forest Corporation (AVCF) seeks new manager more information

Other News

Western Silvicultural Contractors Association 2014 Annual Conference and Tradeshow
January 27-31, 2014 in Kelowna at the Delta Grand Hotel more information And did you know the WSCA is now on Facebook?

2014 SISCO Winter Workshop
February 24-26, at Thompson Rivers University campus, Kamloops more information

December  Update from Minister Thompson more information 

Forest Practices Board Survey more information

Wood Waste to Rural Heat News Debember more information

FREP Extension Note 29
Reports on Forest and Range Evaluation Program (FREP) resource stewardship monitoring results for Water Quality Effectiveness evaluations conducted from 2008 to 2012 under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). The primary audience for this extension note is resource professionals who are involved in designing, building, maintaining and deactivating roads. more information    FREP Extension Note 31 more information 

International Forestry Students Symposium, 2014
The symposium schedule includes a plan to tour in areas near many community forests. Westbank Community Forest wil host the students.. more information

Major Milestone: A New Path to become a Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
The Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program at UBC has just been accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board for the next 6 years, retroactive to August 2012.  This is a major milestone in the development and implementation of this new course-based Master’s program, and a first for forestry graduate programs in Canada. MSFM program graduates can to apply to become an RPF with member agencies of the Canadian Federation of Professional of Professional Foresters Associations (CFPFA), including the Association of BC Professional Foresters. The program has already been acknowledged with success with the graduates of the class of 2013 all having found employment. more information