The UBC Faculty of Forestry with the support of Slocan Forest
Products Ltd. today announced the establishment of the new
B.C. Forum on Forest Economics and Policy. Slocan will contribute
$500,000 over three years to the Forum to stimulate research
and dialogue on the vital economic and policy issues confronting
the forest sector in British Columbia. It will also provide
student scholarships to encourage the best and brightest students
— leaders of tomorrow’s forest industry — to further their
studies in this area.
The growth and prosperity of British Columbia is highly dependent
on a strong and competitive forest industry. With the involvement
of UBC faculty members, visiting scholars, students, industry
and government representatives, the Forum will examine the
effect issues such as the mountain pine beetle infestation,
and increasing global competition from new and emerging lumber
producers, such as Russia, on the forest sector and on B.C.’s
forest communities.
The Forum will help government and industry understand the
world at large so we can better manage our forests to remain
competitive. By increasing understanding of both the short-
and long-term impact of domestic and international economic
and policy changes on industry and on the community, the Forum
hopes to identify new opportunities for partnership and growth.
Slocan President & CEO, Jim Shepherd said, "Our
industry is in a period of unprecedented change and we’ll
need innovative solutions to help manage this change. Our
companies, employees and communities all depend on the industry
remaining competitive. In past years, when the industry faced
critical challenges, it turned to institutions like UBC to
help find solutions. We’re confident based on an excellent
record of success that UBC and the BC Forum on Forest Economics
and Policy will meet today’s challenges and leave a
legacy of knowledge and ideas to help manage the challenges
of tomorrow."
UBC President Martha Piper said the university looks forward
to being able to assist forest communities throughout British
Columbia. "The Faculty of Forestry has an exceptional
history in forestry research and education. The BC Forum on
Forest Economics and Policy will provide the opportunity for
the Faculty, in collaboration with researchers throughout
the province and abroad, to assist industry, government and
the community in building a successful and sustainable forest
sector for British Columbia."
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