Modern Practices Used in Today's Coastal B. C. Forestry Sector Have Evolved Substantially

Modern practices used in today's coastal B. C. Forestry sector have evolved substantially throughout the years. Nevertheless, old stereotypes die hard, and one of the biggest misconceptions is that our forest industry is dirty, dangerous and filled with bearded, axe-happy lumber-jacks. While this image still pervades the minds of many, it is our responsibility and task as an industry to communicate the new reality. Today our sector comprises log, lumber, pulp and paper producers made up of people of all ages, back-grounds and expertise. From Vancouver to towns and cities up and down our coast we are guided by an overall zeitgeist of innovation, creating new frontiers in modern forestry. Our work ranges from advancing our management structures and processes so they reflect our ecological and economic priorities as British Columbians to discovering novel uses for wood and wood products. In addition, we are developing new markets within our rapidly shifting global economy and pioneering a groundbreaking new bio-economy. The coastal B. C. Forestry sector has made major advances in ecologically sustainable management and processes. Today, we have leading-edge forest management practices along with some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world. For example, we worked closely with Greenpeace, Sierra Club and Forest Ethics on the Joint Solutions Project to create an ecosystem-based management system for the Great Bear Rainforest. Our sector is also creating novel uses for wood-derived products while solving modern challenges. One example is the plan announced earlier this year by the Wood Enterprise Coalition and championed by Vancouver architect Michael Green to build the tallest wood building in North America right here in B. C. We know that the modern B. C. Coast forestry sector must diversify its market base in order to survive. Traditionally, domestic and U. S. Markets were the largest consumers of our products. Over the years however, increased globalization and unstable economic conditions have softened the overall demand and companies battled for survival. This was exacerbated by the recent "Great Recession" when B. C. Exports of wood products to the U. S. Fell dramatically. Our industry survives today because we adapted to these changing times. One way in which we accomplished this was by recognizing opportunities in the rap-idly expanding Asian economies. We successfully developed these markets and bolstered an otherwise weak global demand by introducing our new products and building systems to them. Our work continues to this day. Asia is a vast and diverse continent; More opportunities remain for B. C. Coast forest products within its burgeoning markets. Thanks to research and discoveries made by partnerships between government, industry and academia, B. C. Is becoming a world leader in the emerging bio-economy. Built on the back of traditional forest practices, this new bio-economy involves using wood biomass to create new sources of fuel and next-generation forest products. This is led by our pulp and paper producers, which are expanding a knowledge-based infrastructure that will not only create jobs but also position B. C. To capitalize on the $200 billion in annual revenue that the industry is projected to generate worldwide by 2015. In order for British Columbians to enjoy these benefits, supportive measures must continue in order to launch and sustain these initiatives. The journey of regeneration is neither simple nor quick. It is a process by which only the best solutions may be found through thorough fact-finding, research and open-minded collaboration in the spirit of good faith. A new and thriving forestry sector and well-managed forests are some-thing that we all as British Columbians can continue to support, build and celebrate. We are here now and today is a new day. Rick Jeffery is president and CEO of the Coast Forest Products Association Source: vancouversun