The community and forest management effects of the mountain pine beetle infestation will be explored at a UNBC forum on November 9 & 10. The forum is intended to link researchers with community advocates and forest managers to identify what we know – and what we still need to know – about the effects of the pine beetle on forests, the economy, and communities.

Wednesday, November 9, 6pm, 9-200 (Dr. Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre)
Introduction to the conference by UNBC Vice-President Research Max Blouw. The keynote address will be given by UNBC professor Greg Halseth on the need for economic and community renewal in the North. Dr. Halseth is a Canada Research Chair on rural and small-town studies and is involved with national research on the New Rural Economy.

Thursday, November 10, 8:30am, 9-200 (Dr. Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre)
Various presentations on the forest-level effects of the mountain pine beetle, including the impacts on future timber supply and outdoor recreation. There will also be break-out sessions in the afternoon. In total, there will be eight presentation and four breakout themes.

The following website has the full details about the conference: http://www.forrex.org/events/mountainpinebeetleforum/program.html

Registration is free.

The pine beetle forum at UNBC will be a continuation of a similar workshop at UBC earlier in the week. The forum will utilize the videoconference technology installed for the Northern Medical Program, allowing local residents to participate in the UBC forum and vice versa.
 
British Columbia is currently facing the largest mountain pine beetle epidemic that Canada has ever seen. Aerial surveys of the province have shown the area infested by mountain pine beetle in BC has increased from 165,000 hectares in 1999 to more than seven million hectares in 2004.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622