Special Issue Newsletter, May 2006

Canadian Model Forest Network Meeting

RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC

April 22-26, 2006

A Promising Future for Canada’s Model Forest Network!

Canada’s eleven Model Forests met recently in Rimouski, Quebec to reaffirm their commitment and resolve to work together to advance sustainable forest knowledge and practice across Canada. A signing ceremony was held April 25 which sets in motion the formal incorporation of the Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) as a not-for-profit partnership organization under Canadian law.

“This step is long overdue” stated Al Gorley, chair of the Network’s transition team, and President of the McGregor Model Forest in British Columbia, “Formal incorporation as a Network gives us the tool and the visibility we need to broaden our national partnerships with industry, NGOs and governments, and to effectively coordinate our efforts on sustainability issues of local, national and international concern”. The host of the meeting, Mr. Adéodat St-Pierre, President of the Bas-St-Laurent Model Forest, echoed Mr. Gorley’s convictions: “Our Model Forest has been a member of Canada’s Model Forest Network since its inception, and this formal strengthening of the Network is a very positive step forward.”

"The McGregor Model Forest is excited to be involved in this new endeavour, and we anticipate opportunities to engage current and new partners in projects that will benefit the local communities, while drawing on the strengths of our Network," stated Dan Adamson, General Manager of the McGregor Model Forest.

The Model Forest concept was launched in 1992 as a federal government initiative to advance innovative sustainable forest management in Canada and abroad. Model Forest partnerships are currently active in leading edge research, demonstration and community outreach activities addressing forest sustainability challenges and opportunities. To date, there are 39 model forests in existence or under development in 18 countries around the world. For more information, visit the Network’s website: www.modelforest.net.

Contacts:

David MacLean                                               Kathi Zimmerman
Chairperson, Founding Directors               Communications Officer
CMFN                                                                CMFN

The 12 signatories of the Application for Incorporation include:

Front Row, left to right:
Dave Neave ............ President, Eastern Ontario Model Forest
Brian Wilson ........... Director of Programs, Canadian Forest Service
Peter Besseau ....... Executive Director, International Model Forest Network
Adéodat St-Pierre.... President, Bas-Saint-Laurent Model Forest
George Beasley ...... President, Lake Abitibi Model Forest

Middle Row, left to right:
David MacLean ....... President, Fundy Model Forest
Clinton Mauthe ........ President, Prince Albert Model Forest
Bob Bancroft ............ President, Nova Forest Alliance
Al Gorley ................... President, McGregor Model Forest

Back Row, left to right
Don Podlubny ......... General Manager, Foothills Model Forest
Bill Furey .................. President, Western Newfoundland Model Forest
Carl Smith ............... President, Manitoba Model Forest
Stanley Saganash.. President, Waswanipi Model Forest

J. Michael Waldram Memorial Model Forest Fellowship

The Canadian Model Forest Network is pleased to announce the establishment of the J. Michael Waldram Memorial Model Forest Fellowship.

The Fellowship, valued at up to $1,000, will be open to all Canadian Aboriginal youth enrolled in either a degree or diploma program in natural resource management at a Canadian university or college. One award will be granted annually. The Fellowship will be administered by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF).

J. Michael (Mike) Waldram was the General Manager of the Manitoba Model Forest since its inception in 1993 until his passing in January, 2006. Mike strove to enhance the participation of First Nation peoples in the Model Forest program as well as in forest management decision making. In particular, Mike viewed the participation of Aboriginal youth as an integral component of the Model Forest program and the future of Aboriginal involvement in all aspects of natural resource management.

One of the sustainable forest movement’s strongest supporters, Mike began his career with his graduation from the University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Forestry. Shortly thereafter, Mike was applying his forestry knowledge with the Ontario government in forests across northern and northwest Ontario. As a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) Mike would become well known in government and the forest industry.

His passion and love for the forest, coupled with a gifted ability to bring together diverse peoples from all walks of life, along with their differing perspectives and viewpoints, will continue through the ongoing progress and future achievements of the Canadian Model Forest Network, and all Canadian Aboriginal youth who benefit from his legacy.

To contribute to the fund or for additional information about upcoming fundraising events, please contact the Manitoba Model Forest office:

Beverly Dube, Acting General Manager
Manitoba Model Forest Inc.
P.O. Box 6500
Pine Falls, Manitoba Canada
ROE lMO
(204) 367-5232
bdube@mts.net

Canadian Model Forest Network to Host IMFN Global Forum in 2007

Building on the success of the 2005 International Model Forest Network (IMFN) Global Forum in Costa Rica, the Canadian Model Forest Network has offered to host the next Global Forum in the fall of 2007. The proposed location is the Foothills Model Forest in Alberta.

The event was announced at the semi-annual Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) meeting held in Rimouski, Québec. Preliminary thematic discussions for the conference focused on what the Network and its partners have learned about landscape or ecosystem-based management.

Preliminary work on the 2007 Global Forum will begin in the weeks ahead. For more information about the 2005 IMFN Global Forum hosted by CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), Networks and Networking: Current Practice and Future Directions in the IMFN, please go to http://www.imfn.net/en/ev-85499-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.

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