Program: Healthy and Resilient Forests

Climate Change: Moving to Adaptive Management
Location: Theatre

Climate change is challenging our expectations and understanding of natural ecosystems along with our standard resource management practices in new and unforeseeable ways. When faced with a changing climate, how do we adapt our practices to make forests more resilient? How do we adapt to both climate change and help mitigate climate change through forest practices? We’ll cover the latest climate science and research, operational challenges professionals face, and consideration for future management decisions.

Speakers:

• Paul F. Hessburg, PhD, Affiliate Professor, University of Washington
• Werner Kurz, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Pacific Forestry Centre
• Greg O’Neill PhD, RPF,  Climate Change Adaptation Scientist, FLNRORD

Moderator:

• Andrew de Vries, Manager, Indigenous Opportunities, Tolko

Sponsored by:
Genome BC

Species at Risk: Developing a Successful Provincial Strategy
Location: Salon A/B

British Columbia is currently developing a Species at Risk Act. How will a changing climate, increased disturbances such as wildfires and insect outbreaks, urban encroachment, and increased use of the backcountry be incorporated into the species at risk approach? How can we manage these factors while also providing healthy and resilient forests? We’ll discuss the obligations of forest professionals in managing this process as well as an overview of species at risk legislation, organizations and initiatives involved, recent developments, and the evolving responsibilities of professionals.

Speakers:

• Tara Martin, PhD, Professor, Conservation Decision Science, University of British Columbia
• Mark Zacharias, PhD, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy
• Darren Sleep, PhD, Senior Director, Conservation Strategies, SFI
• Christine Leduc, Director, Public Affairs, EACOM Timber Corporation

Moderator:

• Archie MacDonald, RPF, General Manager, Forestry, COFI

Sponsored by:
Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd.

Coffee Break
Location: Foyer/Columbia

Sponsored by:
Conifex Timber Inc.

Plenary Session: Providing Healthy and Resilient Forests
Location: Theatre
           
In 2017 and 2018, 2.5 million hectares of the BC landscape burned due to wildfires. Our communities and economy are still reeling from the impacts of the wildfires and concerns are rising about what the summer of 2019 and beyond will bring. Alongside an increase in wildfires, forest health is being further impacted by significant outbreaks of Douglas-fir and spruce beetles. How did we get into this situation? What practices can we change and adapt to strengthen our forest management regime, helping to ensure we’re providing healthy and resilient forests – forests that are important to our communities, our economy, and our environment? Join us for this important conversation.

Speakers:

• Paul F. Hessburg, PhD, Affiliate Professor, University of Washington
• Lorraine Maclauchlan, PhD, RPF, RPBio, Entomologist, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
• Bob Simpson, Mayor of Quesnel
• Kari Stuart-Smith, PhD, RPbio, PBiol, Senior Forest Scientist, Canfor
• David Argument, Resource Conservation Manager, Jasper National Park

Moderator:

• Paul Rasmussen, RFT, ADM, FLNRORD

Sponsored by:
Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. (FII)

Icebreaker Reception
Location: Foyer/Columbia/Ballroom B/C

Sponsored by:
Forsite Consultants Ltd.

Attendee Lounge Open
Location: Vista

Sponsored by:
Canfor

Breakfast
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

Sponsored by:
Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc.

Plenary: BC's Forest Minister
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

Speaker:

• Honourable Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Moderator:

• Morgan Kennah, RPF, ABCFP Vice President

Sponsored by:
Tolko Industries Ltd.

Coffee Break
Location: Foyer/Columbia

Sponsored by:
Western Forest Products Inc.

Breakout Session #1: Water Woes: Whose Risk is it Anyway?
Location: Theatre

Significant spring floods and storms appear to be more common, impacting infrastructure and human well-being. What can forest professionals do and what are others doing to assess and manage these risks? Watershed management in BC is implemented through a patchwork of processes and decision makers, so how do we ensure a robust understanding of watershed risks is developed and that the right people are involved in the conversations? Join us as we discuss the dynamic contributing factors to our water woes and the extent to which forest management and operations are contributing to recent floods and landslides.

Speakers:

• Matthias Jakob, PhD, P.Geo., Principal Geoscientist, BGC Engineering Inc.
• Doug Wahl, RPBio, CPESC, Manager, Audits & Investigations, Forest Practices Board
• Rhona Martin, Chair, Columbia Shuswap Regional District

Moderator:

• Randy Spyksma, MSc, RPF, Forsite

Sponsored by:
Western Forestry Contractors’ Association

Breakout Session #2: Timber Supply Review as a Tool to Get us to a State of Healthy and Resilient Forests
Location: Salon A/B

The Annual Allowable Cut that is determined through the TSR process is one of the most important decisions that industry, government, First Nations, and the public rely on to plan their businesses, tax revenues, sharing revenues, and the many other resources which all British Columbians have come to expect from BC’s forests. However, the TSR reflects the direction of past decisions and stakeholder wants and needs. Is there enough input by all of today’s stakeholders to achieve the outcomes that society demands? This panel discussion will tackle issues around the rates of cut in BC’s management units, how the TSR can influence the creation of healthy and resilient forests, and could the TSR process be improved to ensure healthier forests and communities?

Speakers:

• Lennard Joe, RPF  General Manager, Stuwix Resources Joint Ventures (SRJV)
• Jeff Mycock, RPF, Chief Forester, West Fraser Timber
• Diane Nicholls, RPF, ADM, Chief Forester, Office of the Chief Forester, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
• James Skinner, RPF, Forestry Superintendent, Tolko

Moderator:

• Cam Brown, MF, RPF, Resource Analyst, Forsite

Sponsored by:
Stella-Jones Inc.

Breakout Session #3: Resource Road Infrastructure: The Policy and Practice of Ownership and Maintenance
Location: Ida

British Columbia’s resource road infrastructure has become a growing liability that lacks ownership and adequate maintenance. Who owns and should maintain our infrastructure? What is a reasonable level of expectation? Join us for an evidence-based discussion of policy and professional practice that links legal obligations, liability, fiscal costs, and public expectations.

If we were to change the view of our provincial resource road infrastructure from being a liability to being an asset, what might that look like and what is our greatest challenge in doing so? How can we work together to overcome this challenge and are we meeting expectations and commitments?

For discussion: Resource Road Maintenance Guideline currently being piloted through October 2018. Please download your PDF copy.

Speakers:

• Marty Hiemstra, RPF, Lo-Bar Log Transport Co. Ltd.
• Justin Kumagai, RPF, Manager, Contract Services, Western Forest Products
• James Neuman, RFT, Senior Policy Analyst - Resource Roads, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Moderator:

• Ray Crampton, District Manager, Okanagan-Shuswap, FLNRORD

Sponsored by:
BC Forest Safety Council

Coffee Break
Location: Foyer/Columbia

Sponsored by:
The Gorman Group

Breakout Session #4: Wildfire Aftermath: How Have We Changed?
Location: Theatre

In light of the unprecedented flood and wildfire seasons of 2017 and 2018, and the completion of the BC Flood and Wildfire independent review, what are the lessons we’ve learned that can shape our future forest management regimes? Join us as we cover the considerations forest professionals will need to take in approaching new recommendations, how we need to think differently about wildfire hazards and the impacts on the land, and reassessing approaches to risk management.

Speakers:

• Chief Joe Alphonse, Tl'etinqox First Nation
• Jamie Jeffreys, RPF, Director BCWS, Partnerships and Indigenous Relations, Integrated Resource Operations Division
• Dan Leighton, Fire Chief, District of Logan Lake Fire and Rescue

Moderator:

• Rob Schwitzer, RFT, Acting Director, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS); Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD)

Sponsored by:
Logan Lake Community Forest 

Breakout Session #5: Are the Kids Alright? The Role for Forest Professionals in the Classroom
Location: Ida

Forest professionals have a long history of working with students to encourage respect and appreciation for the forest environment. Through our volunteer work, we have opened many young minds to the possibility of a career in forestry. Remember the days when you first realized you wanted to become a forest professional and found someone to mentor you? Forest education champions are out there and they help future forest professionals find their path. This fascinating session will reconnect you with forestry camp managers and educators and start you on the path of being a forest education advocate.

Speaker:

• Martin Tooms, Teacher, Charles Bloom Secondary School
• Russ Paton, Silver Lake Forestry Camp
• Sandy McKellar, Honourary Member, Festival of Forestry and Tree Frog Creative

Moderator:

• Dave Gill, RPF, General Manager, Ntityix Resources LP

Sponsored by:
Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society

Breakout Session #6: #thisgirlcan
Location: Salon A/B

Like many industries, forestry is under-represented by women in professional and senior roles. As Canadians, we would like to see our partners, spouses and daughters have a chance to be leaders in their field. So, what’s holding them back? What are the myths that need to be busted so we can better support women in advancing their careers in our industry?

Speaker:

• Tanya Wick, CPHR, Vice President, People & Services, Tolko

Moderator:

• Michael Bragg, RPF, Woodlands Manager, Tolko

Sponsored by:
Norbord Inc.

Inductees' Recognition Luncheon
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

NOTE: No tickets available for purchase, on site. If you are an inductee and wish to attend, please contact Jennifer Lee.

Charge to the Inductees delivered by Wes Bieber, RPF, Longfellows Natural Resource Management Solutions Inc., ABCFP 2017 Professional Forester of the Year.

**Inductees, please dress business casual for the ceremony.

Sponsored by:
Interfor

Attendee Lounge Closes
Location: Vista

Sponsored by:
Canfor

Pre-banquet Reception
Location: Foyer

Sponsored by:
DLA Piper

President's Awards Banquet
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

NOTE: No on-site tickets available for purchase. 

Sponsored by:
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Attendee Lounge Open
Location: Vista

Sponsored by:
Canfor

Breakfast
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

Sponsored by:
West Fraser Mills Ltd.

Plenary: Professional Reliance Legislation: The Road Forward
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

Bill 49, the BC government’s Professional Governance Act, received royal assent on November 22. This legislation, created in response to Recommendations 1 and 2 from the government report on professional reliance, will establish a government-run Office of Professional Regulation and Oversight under the Attorney General that will monitor and direct the Association of BC Forest Professionals along with the four other professions (engineers and geoscientists, biologists, agrologists, and applied science technologists and technicians), and legislate critical elements of professional governance.

Among the changes expected that will affect forest professionals: the ABCFP will be responsible for regulating firms that employ forest professionals; forest professionals will be required to declare any conflict of interest before beginning work on a project; professionals will be expected to report incidents of poor or improper practice; continuing education requirements that support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples will be put in place; and biologists, agrologists, and technologists will be given right to practice, a status until now held only by engineers and foresters.

This session will review these proposed changes and serve to explain how they will affect forest professionals in their day-to-day activities.

Speakers:

• Christine Gelowitz, RPF, Chief Executive Officer, Association of BC Forest Professionals
• Christine Houghton, Executive Director, College of Applied Biology
• Ann English, P.Eng, CEO, Engineers Geoscientists BC

Moderator:

• Robin Modesto, RPF, P.Eng, ABCFP Past President

Coffee Break
Location: Foyer/Columbia

Sponsored by:
DWB Consulting Services Ltd.

Breakout Session #7: Forestry and the Path to First Nations Reconciliation
Location: Theatre

In 2017, the Province of BC committed to fully adopting and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is an important element of UNDRIP, the implementation of which is an important consideration for forest professionals. In light of this, what does Reconciliation look like in the forest sector? How are we advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, changing existing policies, and maintaining our fiduciary duty to consult with First Nations in the natural resource management sector? Join us for an overview of how these commitments are being implemented, and how to encourage and support our fellow professionals to reflect on what we can all do to advance Reconciliation.

Speakers:

• Nathan Matthew, Chancellor, Thompson Rivers University, past Chief of Simpcw First Nation
• Chris Stagg, RPF, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
• Trish Balcaen, ADM, Negotiations and Regional Operations, MIRR
• Jim McGrath, RPF, Forestry Manager, Tk’emlups Forestry Development Corp.

Moderator:

• Mike Simpson, MA, RPF, Senior Regional Manager, Fraser Basin Council, Thompson Rivers

Sponsored by:
Ledcor

Breakout Session #8: Healthy Forests Need a Competitive Forest Sector
Location: Ida

BC is an acknowledged leader in sustainable forest management, with 94 per cent of the province’s forested land publicly owned. At the same time, the forest sector is a critical economic generator for BC, supporting healthy, stable communities, and providing jobs for tens of thousands of British Columbians. As a result, healthy, sustainable forests and a world-competitive forest sector are intrinsically linked. How do we balance the economy and forest sustainability? Insect infestations, wildfires, and habitat conservation are reducing fibre supply. Trade disputes are limiting access to our largest market. How is the forestry sector responding and what does this mean for the people who rely on forestry to feed their families?

Speaker:

• Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne M. Christian, Splatsin
• John Allan, Deputy Minister, FLNRORD
• Nick Arkle, RPF, CEO, The Gorman Group
• Kevin Mason, Managing Director, ERA Forest Products Research

Moderator:

• Brad Bennett, RPF, Woodlands Manager, Interfor

Sponsored by:
Domtar Kamloops Mill

Breakout Session #9: Managing the Land for Caribou
Location: Salon A/B

In 2007, in an effort to stem the decline of the Mountain Caribou, the BC government established a Mountain Caribou Recovery Implementation Plan (MCRIP) and board. MCRIP implemented a variety of comprehensive management actions, including setting aside 2.2 million hectares of high elevation critical habitat from forest harvesting. This comprised protection of 95 per cent of then-existing Caribou winter habitat. Despite significant efforts, Caribou populations have continued to decline. In 2014, Canada released a draft recovery strategy for BC’s Southern Mountain Caribou and in late 2017, environmental groups filed a series of Section 80 applications with the federal government requesting they issue an emergency order to protect Caribou. Join us for this critical discussion and learn about the current federal, provincial, and scientific positions on addressing the Caribou situation and how they managing issues will impact the BC Interior.

Speakers:

• Tom Ethier, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
• Steve Wilson, PhD, RPBio, Director of both Standpoint Decision Support and EcoLogic Research
• Alan Parkinson, Senior Advisor, Canadian Wildlife Service

Moderator:

• Kate Lindsay, Vice President, Sustainability and Environmental Partnerships, Forest Products Association of Canada

Sponsored by:
TD Insurance

Coffee Break
Location: Foyer/Columbia

Sponsored by:
Montane Forest Consultants Ltd.

• Gary Mancell, LLB, RPF, DLA Piper

Attendee Lounge Closes
Location: Vista

Sponsored by:
Canfor

Keynote with Timothy Caulfield: Why Do People Believe Celebrities And Not Experts?
Location: Ballroom A/B/C

Celebrities are everywhere! This matters. Seriously. Research shows that popular culture has a profound influence people’s health and that our ideals of beauty and success are framed by a celebrity-dominated worldview. In this fun and provocative presentation, Professor Timothy Caulfield, author of Why Gwyneth Paltrow is Wrong About Everything, will examine what science tells us about the influence of popular culture. He will also debunk common myths and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations.

Speaker:

• Timothy Caulfield, Professor, University of Alberta

Moderator:

• Morgan Kennah, RPF, ABCFP President