NEW EDUCATION KIT HIGHLIGHTS FORESTRY’S IMPORTANCE

RICHMOND – A new teacher resource kit designed to help educate secondary school students about the economic importance and international reach of British Columbia’s forest sector was launched today by Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell.

“More than anything, the kits highlight the international opportunities and global reach of B.C.’s forest sector,” said Bell. “Whether it’s developing new markets in China or promoting the use of wood to fight climate change, the issues that students will explore in the classroom today are the real world opportunities that promise to transform the industry in the years ahead.”

Bell unveiled the education kits at the Canadian Women in Timber’s 19th annual general meeting. The organization’s motto is “Forest Awareness through Education.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of the launch for this new education package, and look forward to working with teachers and students who want to know more about our most environmentally friendly building material – wood!,” said Sandy McKellar, chair of Canadian Women in Timber.

The kits, BC Forest Products for the World, were produced by Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., a B.C. Crown agency, and the Council of Forest Industries. They will be distributed to 400 secondary schools around the province and the learning outcomes are intended to help students:

describe what happens to harvested timber;
demonstrate the importance of the forest industry to the provincial economy;
demonstrate the importance to the provincial economy of marketing wood products around the world;
identify and evaluate international markets for B.C.’s wood products; and
assess the opportunities and challenges in marketing of B.C.’s wood products internationally.

“Students can take pride in B.C.’s international reputation for producing world-class products from sustainably managed forests,” said Chris Lear, manager, Forest Education, Council of Forest Industries, Northern Operations. “Many are unaware of the forest sector’s size and economic importance. Not only do these kits help demystify the sector, we hope they’ll inspire the next generation to pursue careers in our industry and shape the future of forestry.”

The kits build on the success of the mountain pine beetle educational kits distributed in 2006 and 2007. The resource kit, one year in the making, was developed in accordance with identified Ministry of Education learning outcomes, and has been endorsed by the Ministry of Education. It represents an investment in learning of almost $80,000 by Forestry Innovation Investment and the Council of Forest Industries.

For more information, go to http://www.forest-education.info.

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Contact:

Sophia Proctor

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-4592

Chris Lear, Manager, Forest Education

Council of Forest Industries

Northern Operations

250 614-4352




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