Exciting News - Major Proposal Accepted!
On July 7th, Natural Resources Canada announced the successful applicants to the Forest Communities Program, and the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Partnership (hosted by MMFA) was one of the 11 organizations across Canada selected for the 5 year program. This new program replaces the Canadian Model Forest Program, which is scheduled to wrap up at the end of September 2007, after 15 years in operation. The Program was announced July 7th by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.
"This is excellent news for the IRM Partnership and for resource-dependant rural communities" says Doug Routledge, VP Forestry and Northern Operations with the Council of Forest Industries. "The potential for these pilot programs to pave the way for further improvements in BC’s already world class Integrated Land Use Planning regime is significant." For further details about the proposed work visit our IRM Partnership page, or review the proposal (2MB pdf), . As well, a media release was sent out July 10th.
New President and Chair
At the Board of Directors meeting held June 26, 2007, our president Al Gorley announced that he was stepping down. Dr. Dan Lousier from Whiskey Jack Forest Sciences, and Chair of the Board of Directors, was nominated and has accepted the role as new president. Jo Graber from the Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Society offered to take over the Chair position. "We’re excited about the these changes, and look forward to continuing work with Dan and Jo in their new capacities. While Al is no longer president, we’re pleased that he has agreed to continue his work with the Canadian Model Forest Network on our behalf and will likely stay involved in an advisory role with the Association," stated Dan Adamson, MMFA General Manager.
Field Tours Announcement #2: Agroforestry Potential in the Peace
Two days of field tours will highlight alley cropping and other agroforestry opportunities for the Peace Region. Several invited speakers will provide presentations at the stops on the tour. Topics covered will be: a general introduction of agroforestry systems; presentations on setting up and managing a poplar/aspen intercropping operation; how carbon sequestration and credits integrate into business planning; alternate crops for intercropping and other agroforestry production systems. Day 1 will include tours of hybrid aspen trials and the Murdoch Lake Agroforestry Demonstration near Manning, Alberta. Day 2 will include tours of the Doig River First Nation demonstration project and the BC Grain Producers Variety Trials near Fort St. John, BC. A nominal registration fee of $25/day will be charged. For further details visit www.mcgregor.bc.ca, see the media release, or download the agenda and registration package.
