Vol. 3, No.2 A newsletter for Ministry of Forests' employees February 1993

First Nations Forestry Council formed

Nursery employees earn suggestion awards

Two Surrey Nursery employees received suggestion awards on January 28. From left to right areSuggestion Awards Co-ordinator Marilyn Seifert, Silviculture Branch Director Henry Benskin,award winners Peter Beck and Bill Sprangers, and Chief Forester John Cuthbert. See page threefor more suggestion awards news.

On January 21, Forests Minister DanMiller and Aboriginal Affairs MinisterAndrew Petter announced theformation of the First Nations ForestryCouncil.

The forestry council will work withindustry and government to expandAboriginal involvement in all aspects offorestry in the province.

'We expect that the outcome of thecouncil's work will be in developingsome very practical on-the-groundstrategies to increase economicopportunities for Aboriginal peoplethat will make a real difference in reallives at the community level," saysChristie Brown, manager of interimmeasures, corporate policy andplanning branch.

Establishing the council was the keyrecommendation among 20 outlined inthe November 1991 report of the TaskForce on Native Forestry, whichexamined ways to enhance FirstNations participation in the forestsector.

The forestry council will exploreways to implement the specificstrategies suggested by the task force.These would see increased Aboriginalinvolvement through:

• tenure where the opportunity exists;

• silviculture;

• education and training;

• forestry employment in companiesand government;

• planning and participation;

• protection of cultural sites; and

• creation of a capital pool.

The council is made up of 20 peoplewith two-year order-in-councilappointments and will report togovernment through the Forests andAboriginal Affairs Ministers. The ForestService will provide administrativesupport.

First Nations representatives include:George Watts (Nuu-chah-nulth),Collier Azak (Nisga'a), Gary Merkel(Ktunaxa/Kinbasket), Gary Page(Carrier-Sekani), Geraldine Shirley(South Island), Chief John Smith(Musgamagw Tsawataineuk), GarryRuss (Haida Nation), Tom Wycotte(Williams Lake Band), David Walkem(Cook's Ferry Band), Harold Derickson(Inter-Tribal Forestry Association ofB.C.), Yvonne Moon (Tahltan), andJean Gleason (Kaska Dena).

The forest industries are representedby: Rick Jeffrey (Truck Loggers'Association), Warren Ulley (IWA),Fred Lowenberger (Council of ForestIndustries), Jim Gosline (NorthernInterior Lumber Sector), Marlie Beets(Cariboo Lumber Manufacturer'sAssociation), Gord Sluggett (InteriorLumber Manufacturer's Association),Dirk Brinkman (Western SilviculturalContractors' Association), and LindaCoady (MacMillan Bloedel).

First Nation's forestry councilmember Gary Merkel says there are alot of fairly serious and hard issues todeal with. "1 see the council asproviding us with a model to workwith in terms of how the government,third parties, and the First Nations canresolve some of these things. Thepeople I have talked to on the councilare committed to making this thingwork and to make it do the things it issupposed to do."

Please distribute to all employees at their work stations

2 The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993

Still to produce innovative reportGerry Still was seconded in September1992 to develop and write a 'State of theForest' report over the next two years.Still, a professional forester andagrologist, has worked with the ForestService for about 15 years, recently asmanager of the research branch'sintegrated resource management sectionand, before that, as regional researchsoil scientist in Nelson.

The proposed State of the Forestreport will provide a fresh look and aninnovative direction to the Ministry'srequired lO-year forest and rangeanalysis.

In a recent interview, he outlined someof his ideas about the compilation andproduction of the State of the Forestreport.

What kinds of information will youpresent in the State of the Forestreport?

In previous years, the content of the 10­year forest and range resource analysis hasbeen dictated by the Ministry ofForestsAct. The first three subsections of Section7 require inventory information aboutforest, range and recreation resources, adiscussion of a number of silvicultural andharvesting issues, and also a discussion ofministry programs.

It seems to me that those threecomponents constitute what is typicallyknown as 'state of the environment,' orinthis case, 'state of the forest' reporting.This type of reporting is relatively new soyou can't say there is a tradition associatedwith it. In Canada, it has only been agoing concern for about five years. But asI understand the concept, 'state of'reporting addresses four basic issues aboutresources: what is happening, why it ishappening, why it is important, and whatwe are doing about it.

So the 1994 State of the Forest reportwill be designed to provide this kind of'snapshot' of B.C.'s forests and its variouschapters will draw together information toanswer each of these questions.

For example, under 'what is happening'

the condition of our forest, range, andrecreation resources will be outlined.'Why it is happening' will be addressed interms of demands for resources, andmanagement practices. 'What we aredoing about it' will describe our ministryprograms. It will also address some of thespecial initiatives we are focusing on suchas the forest practices code, timber supplyreview, and silviculturalsystems work.These have potential to significantlychange forest management in the provinceover the next few years, and are thereforeof great importance to the public, and thepeople who work in the forest.

A section on socioeconomic trends andforecasts will look at some of the changesthat might occur over the next five to 10years, and the resulting implications andopportunities.

What you are describing is quite adeparture from the previous forestand range resource analyses. Inwhat other ways will this report bedifferent?

It will differ in a couple of importantways that I think reflect how forestmanagement is changing both provinciallyand globally.

First, forest management in B.C. nolonger focuses on just the timber; it isevolving to address ecological andintegratedresourcemanagementconcerns,and the public is playing a more active rolein deciding how their resources arehandled. I hope to be able to reflectthisevolution by establishing biodiversity,soil, and water parameters as componentsof the report, even though we may nothave as much information about them aswe might like right now.

Also, in the past, forest and rangeresource analyses have been produced fora technical audience, that is, primarily forpeople within the forestry sector. TheState of the Forest report will be based onsound technical information butspecifically designed to be morecomprehensible to the public. Afterapproval by the legislature, which isscheduled to take place in 1995, it would

be widely distributed to give the publicmuch of the information they may want tomake intelligent decisions about theirresources. The fact that the public is theintended audience reflects an awareness ofthe increasingly active and informed rolethat they will likely play in forest resourcemanagement in the future.

Second, the recent United NationsConference on Environment andDevelopment (UNCED) in Brazil.demonstrated the extentto which theworld community is becoming aware ofthe environment as something we have tomanage globally.

There are now a number of global'policy' statements that address themanagement offorests, indudingUNCED's Guiding Principles forForestry, the Biodiversity Convention, anda large document called Agenda 21. Ourfederal government is promoting theNational Forest Sector Strategy - adocument that outlines a national strategyfor achieving sustainable forestmanagement. It has been endorsed byprovincial and territorial governments, andcontains a number of conurutrnents thateach government must honor. It coversmany of the areas outlined in UNCED'sGuiding Principles for Forestry.

What I propose to do in the State of theForest report is to discuss our ministry'sprograms and activities in terms of theconurutments in the National ForestSectorStrategy, and the related GuidingPrinciples for Forestry.

We participated with a cross-Canadacommittee recently in the development ofanimplementationplan for the nationalstrategy. A preliminary analysis of the 94commitments outlined in thestrategysuggested that S.c. is responsible foraddressing about 80 of them.

The first step towards irnplementationwill be to evaluate each of these and tothen determine where we are in relation tothem. This process should show us whatwe need to do to honor our commitmentsto the National Forest Strategy, and toachieve its vision of sustaillable forestmanagement.

The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993 3

Suggestions earn employees awards, dollars

Steve Grimaldi receives a cheque and a handshake from Philip Halkett.

submitted by Marilyn Seifert, TREES program co-ordinator,technical and administrative services branch

On January 22, Steve Grimaldi, the protection branch'sfire equipment superintendent, received a certificate andcheque for $1,000 from Deputy Minister Philip Halkett.

Grimaldi modified a supplies requisition form (FS677).This has improved the efficiency of operations by reducingpaperwork and saving staff time. Evaluators of Grimaldi'sidea were Nick Downs, assets co-ordinator, and Bill Dexter,manager of equipment and asset management, both of thetechnical and administrative services branch.

Richard Turgeon, a service technician in the Fort St. Jamesforest district received a $250 award for devising a loadingassembly that enables one person to do the work of three, inhalf the time. Evaluators included Bill Dexter and Mr. J.L.Thornton, manager of equipment and bridge resurfacing,Ministry of Transportation and Highways.

Forest technician George Neagele of the Chetwynd fieldoffice received a $200 cheque for his idea of using a closedballot-type box for holding bids in the tendering process toensure competitive bidding. Diana Lucas, contractadministration co-ordinator with the technical andadministrative services branch, and retired Dawson Creekdistrict manager Bob Gibbs evaluated Neagele's suggestion.

Don Wilson, an auxiliary office assistant in Quesnelproposed customized contract envelopes for the ministry.Pat Megson, fQrms management analyst, and Diana Lucas,contract administration analyst, both of technical andadministrative services branch, evaluated and supportedWilson's idea. Wilson was awarded $400 for his suggestion.

Further information about the TREES program can beobtained from your office contact or from Marilyn Seifert at387-3212 or OV MSElFERT.

PROTECT)BRANC

News in brief

• Canwood Furniture Factory of Penticton awardedtwo-year timber sale licence - #001

• First Nations Forestry Council announced - #003

• Formation of forest sector economic strategy advisorygroup announced - #004

• Forest service road inspections result in action inMackenzie forest district - #005

• Evans-Westshore proposal to include Revelstoke - #006

Recent news releases

Six Forest Service employees earned awardsrecently through the Recognition of EmployeesEfforts and Suggestions (TREES) program.

Two Surrey Nursery employees receivedcheques and award certificates during aJanuary 28 presentation ceremony held at thesilviculture branch.

Peter Beck, a machine operator, suggestedusing a 15 foot cultivator instead of a 12 footone to reduce labor, equipment and fuel costswith the potential for reduced weeding costsand soil erosion, and improved diseasecontrol.

Tony Willingdon, Surrey Nurserymanager, evaluated Beck's idea andrecommended adoption.

Chief Forester John Cuthbert, together withbranch director Henry Benskin, presentedBeck with a cheque for $1,410.

Also receiving an award on January 28 anda cheque for $500 was forest technician BillSprangers. He submitted an idea for using a24 block movable bench system for seedlings. This allows foreasier thinning and weeding of seedlings, less back strain forworkers, and it also reduces a machine operator's time, andfrees up a forklift.

Skimikin Nursery manager Jim Kusisto, together withTony Willingdon and Nils Sjoberg, silviculture developmentofficer (retired) evaluated and recommended adoption ofSprangers' idea.

At the presentation, Benskin explained how the suggestionawards program fit in with the Forest Service GuidingPrinciples in recognizing and encouraging initiative. ThelmaFayle, administrator, government employees suggestionprogram joined Marilyn Seifert, Forest Service suggestionawards co-ordinator, in congratulating both Beck andSprangers.

4 The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993

Kamloops trip a real 'eye-opener'

Kamloops forest district's 'PHSP Central.' Standing are (from left to right) Deputy Minister PhilipHalkett, Kamloops Operations Manager Martin Lindberg, and Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations,Wes Cheston. Seated are Reuben Irvine (left) and Steve Schell, both timber resource assistants.

The Kamloops forest district is one ofthe busiest in the province, but staff tooktime out from their regular routinesFebruary 10 to "give the brass a tour."

Deputy Minister Philip Halkett andWes Cheston, assistant deputy minister,operations, were in Kamloops for anOperations Division Management Teammeeting, but arrived early at DistrictManager Bob Miller's invitation so theycould tour the district office and seewhat's happening. Nearly all 64 regularstaff members were on hand to meetthem and Fred Baxter, Kamloops forestregion manager, and give a highlyinformative briefing on current districtoperations, highlights, and concerns.

Miller said he was pleased by the visitbecause it gave staff and members of theexecutive a real chance to interact. "Wehave a people philosophy here," he said,explaining the visit was a greatopportunity to reinforce that philosophy.

"The benefit of a visit like this goesboth ways. It gives executive a betterappreciation of some of operationalactivities and initiatives, and they get abetter feel for the things taking place inan interior district," he explained

On the other hand it gives staff the"opportunity to know the deputy andADM Ops and to identify with them andtheir philosophy of the Forest Service.And I think it's motivating for staffwhen members of the executive showsan interest in what's happening in thedistrict," Miller said.

Miller went on to say the visit alsogave the district a chance to show off abit. "We're proud of what we're doingin the Kamloops district. I think we'veshown some innovation and leadershipin a lot of areas."

For example, Miller cited ResourceOfficer, Protection, Rick Swift's work onWildland/urban interface program.Through extensive community out­reach, Swift has raised awareness aboutthe program throughout the district.

On April 21, the program will betested during a major simulation andexercise in which residents of oneKamloops neighborhood will beevacuated because of a 'serious fire.'The simulation will be run with the fullco-operation of the Kamloops Fire

Department and other municipalagencies.

The fire control room is also thebusiest in the province, dealing with anaverage of 145 fires a year. But Swiftsays the cost to the district per fire isabout $5,700, while the provincialaverage is approximately $14,000.

Equally proud of his staffs work onthe pre-harvest silvicultural prescription(PHSP) review, Miller said the job hasbeen a real team effort. "We have threeteams doing it, involving people fromvirtually all the programs. There's evena friendly competition between teams tosee how many each can pump out."

In "PHSP CentraI;' Trudy Goold,silviculture audit forester, told Halkettand Cheston the nine-person teams hadplowed through more than 1,200 files inthe last week and a half, "so we're abouttwo-thirds done."

On the tour Halkett, Cheston andBaxter saw displays and heardpresentations about district planningactivities, lakeshore harvestingguidelines, initiatives with First Nationspeoples, recreation and range activities,silviculture, and harvesting.

The trio also learned about thedistrict's high-profile issues andconcerns.

With more than 1,200 lakes, lakeshoremanagement, landscaping and visualquality objectives are big issues. ButMiller said because the issues are highprofile, the district's guidelines forharvesting near water are the "best in theprovince."

He points to Roche Lake, site of the1993 World Fly Fishing Championships,as an example. "Harvesting has takenplace very close to the lake, but it's beendone in such a way that it looks like apark. There are going to be outdoorwriters from around the world here andthey will get a first-hand look atsensitive harvesting practices."

Planning has also been a challenge inthe district because of its ninebiogeoclimatic zones. Several areas maybe designated as protected, there are alarge number of recreation sites, and thedistrict has the heaviest range workloadin the province. But staff have taken onthese challenges and managed to fullyinvolve the public in the planningprocess.

The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993 5

After the tour Halkett had an informaldiscussion with the staff. The deputygave his views on the Forest Service andthe directions in which he would like tosee it go.

He also fielded some tough questions.The main concern expressed was budgetconstraints, but the staff also questionedHalkett on the ministry's organization,freedom to manage, the forest practicescode, land claims, the protected areasstrategy, and the timber supply review.

Halkett said he was very impressedwith the tour and the staff.

"The people here are articulate,energetic, excited by what they're doing,and proud of their work. They're notafraid to try new things." TIle deputy

added that the complexity of issues stafffaced because of the district'sgeographical diversity was a real eye­opener.

Cheston said the visit was a greatopportunity to meet staff, hear theirconcerns and see the complex problemsthey deal with on a day-to-day basis.

"Everyone here should be proud ofwhat they're doing," Cheston said,"They have a proud past and I knowthey're going to have a proud future."

Proud and busy.Miller explained 1993 will be one of

the district's busiest years. Kamloops isthe provincial forestry capital andactivities are planned to run throughoutthe year.

April sees the wildland/urbaninterface simulation and May has theopening of the new Kamloops districtoffice in conjunction with NationalForestry Week.

June is even busier with an integratedresource management symposium, theplanting of the three billionth treeseedling, the World Fly FishingChampionship, forestry tours, plus thedistrict is hosting the Inter-Provincial/International Fire Suppression Olympics.

Cattle Drive '93 goes in July anddistrict staff will be involved with theCanada Summer Games, August 8-21.

submitted by Paul Lackhoff, publicinformation officer, public affairs branch

Mackenzie district targets truck safety-n second annual enforcement blitzLogging truck safety was the focus in Mackenzie last month duringthe district's second annual enforcement blitz.

More than 200 loads of logs a day are trucked over forest roadsin the area during peak season-roads which the public also use.

"We've got more than 11 000 kilometres of forest roads in thedistrict, serving rural communities, native villages and touristswho travel the roads at various times of the year, so we'reconcerned for their safety," says Rod Deboice, Mackenzie districtmanager.

"We're also concerned for the safety of the workers and driverswho are running some of these trucks that shouldn't be on theroad."

During the three-day blitz, Forest Service staff worked side-by­side with inspectors from the Motor Vehicle Branch, the RCMPand the Workers Compensation Board, checking for oversize loads,mechanical problems and safety violations.

To ensure complete coverage at the road check, Forest Servicedistrict staff worked shifts measuring load sizes and recording thedata on-site using a lap-top computer. Regional revenue inspectorswere also on hand to check timber marks.

This was the first check using the new load standards formaximum width, height, and overhang introduced in the districtlast fall. Only two trucks exceeded the maximum width, which is abig improvement over last year. However height and overhangremain problem areas. Of 281 trucks checked, 124 were overheightand 118 had excess overhang.

The Forest Service hopes to continue working with localagencies to hold the inspections again, said district operationsmanager Dave Francis. After all, as he wrote in a release to localmedia, if the safety program prevents even one injury, it will havebeen worthwhile.

submitted by Jeff Elder, communications officer,Prince George forest region

Lome Wood, resource assistant, silviculture, measures logging truck loadfor Mackenzie's truck safety blitz.

6 The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993

New policy on sexualand workplace harassmentThe much publicized U.S. SupremeCourt nomination hearing of ClarenceThomas raised society's awareness ofharassment in the workplace.

It also increased the determinationof individuals to eliminate it.

The B.C. government introduced anew sexual and workplace harassmentpolicy and procedures recently andmany people are wondering whatmay be considered harassment andwhat they can do to stop it.

Harassment takes many forms andcan be expressed in a number ofdifferent ways. Harassment mayinclude the following behavior:

• unwelcome remarks, gestures,jokes, innuendo or negative,offensive comments about aperson's body, sex, sexualorientation, clothing, age, maritalstatus, ethnic or religiousbackground;

• practical jokes that causeembarrassment or awkwardness;

• offensive, disrespectful picturesincluding calendars, pinups andcartoons;

• verbal abuse or threats;

• unwelcome invitations or requests;

• leering or other gestures;

• suggestions that favors may beexchanged for work-relatedbenefits such as promotion andfavorable job assessments;

• condescending behavior thaterodes a person's self-respect; and

• unwanted physical contactincluding physically aggressivetouching such as pinching, patting,grabbing, kissing, and fondling.

Harassment makes people feeluncomfortable and sometimesthreatened. The intent of the harasserdoes not determine whether behavioris harassment - it is the perception ofthe person being harassed that is

important. The determining factor isthe impact of the harasser's behavioron a "reasonable person." If you areunsure whether your behavior maybe considered harassment by a"reasonable person," chances are thatit might be.

Harassment of any kind will not betolerated in the Forest Service. If youfeel that you are being harassed, thereare a number of responses or steps thatcan be taken to ensure that it stops.

1. Tell the harasser clearly and firmlythat his/her behavior isobjectionable and/or offensive.For example, you might say:

"I am uncomfortable when," or "Ido not appreciate it when ... "(you put your hands on my waist,brush past me so closely, tellsexist/ racist jokes) ... "I wouldlike you to stop .. "

If you are not able to confrontyour harasser or if you areuncomfortable doing so, you couldsend a letter to the harasser askingfor the behavior to stop. Keep acopy of the letter and any othercorrespondence that you send orreceive about the issue.

2. Start to document all instances ofharassment. This record shouldinclude the offender's name, thedate, time and place of harassment,and a detailed description of theirbehavior. The name of anywitnesses should also be recorded.

You might also seek the support ofindividuals you work with. It islikely that some of them may beharassed by the same individual.

3. Remember that there are people inthe ministry who can support andassist you. You can contact amember of the employment equitysection, a human resource officer,your union steward, or yoursupervisor to discuss your situation

What is sexualharassment?

Sexual harassment as defined in theSexual Harassment Policy andProcedures of the Government ofBritish Columbia:

Sexual harassment is any unwelcomecomment or conduct of a sexual naturethat may detrimentally affect the workenvironment or lead to adverse job­related consequences for the victim ofthe harassment.

Sexual harassment includes, but is notlimited to, unwanted physical contact,sexual advances, requests for sexualfavors, suggestive or offensivecomments or gestures emphasizingsexuality, sexual identity, or sexualorientation.

and explore the options available toensure the behavior stops.

Inquiries and requests for helpwith respect to harassment can bemade in confidence and will notbecome part of your personnelrecord. More importantly, at nopoint will you be forced to takeaction against your harasser.

4. If harassment continues despiteyour request that it end, there areother formal options that you canexplore to deal with it. One ofthese options is the new sexualharassment policy and procedureswhich applies to all governmentemployees. Copies of the policycan be obtained from theemployment equity section or yourhuman resource officer.

If you would like more informationon workplace and sexual harassment,contact your human resource officer,union steward, supervisor, or amember of the employment equitysection. The employment equitysection can be reached at 387-3231.

submitted by Claire Handley, actingequity advisor, employment equitysection, human resources branch

The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993 7

The KlDZONE kids tackle a forest ecology puzzle this season. Clockwise from top left: KendallSaunders, Kea Wong, Sarah Chalke, Todd Shymko, Andrea Nemeth, David Schumann, JaiWest, and Aly Jiwani.

Forest Service joins forces with KIDZONEThe Forest Service has joined forces with theKnowledge Network's award-winningKIDZONE television program, to help bringhome information about forest ecology tochildren.

This season, the popular pre-teen show,which targets an eight- to 12-year-oldaudience, features a series of eco-Iessons.

Alison Nicholson, manager of researchextension, research branch, and SandraThomson, research ecologist with the PrinceRupert forest region provided the technicalinformation for the 13-part series.

"In each installment, one of the eightKIDZONE kids travels from the televisionstudio to a forest setting through a 'mysterydoor' to investigate a riddle about the eco­lesson topic," says Nicholson. "When they·solve the riddle they in turn find a piece of apuzzle that they build on each week."

The lessons cover biodiversity, ecosystems,climate, soils, water, plants, habitat, tree tops,old growth, succession, disturbance, the food web, and humans in the forest environment.

Ecological information will also be a part of the KIDZONE newspaper, a weekly page that appears in the Sunday colorcomics section of the Province.

KIDZONE is designed to fill a void in quality children's programming by offering strong role models and issuesrelevant to kids. The program airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and repeats Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming seminars inFirst Nations forestry andriparian management

Northern InteriorLumber SectorAGM in April

The Council of Forest IndustriesNorthern Interior Lumber Sector willhold its Annual General Meeting onApril 1-3 at the Inn of the North inPrince George.

The first day's program includespanel discussions on the global fibresupply outlook, the social andeconomic costs of environmentalism,and the environmental campaign inEurope.

Topics on the second day include astrategy for growth in Canada'sforestry industry, the need for a B.C.forest sector strategy, and a Nativeperspective on land claims.

Program and registrationinformation will be available inFebruary and registration will berequired by mid-March.

The B.C. Forestry Continuing StudiesNetwork has announced dates formore sessions of Building Bridges forFirst Nations Forestry.

This one-day seminar introducesforestry specialists to issuessurrounding First Nations forestry inB.C., and examples of First Nationsforestry initiatives are highlighted.

Seminars will take place in SmithersApril 20, in Kamloops June 1, and inPrince George October 27.

A Riparian Habitat Managementand Research seminar /workshop willbe held in Kamloops May 4--5.

Current research on riparian habitatecology and management strategieswill be discussed during a one-dayseminar. This will be followed by ayvorkshop to define riparian zonemanagement problems and researchpriorities to address these issues.

Operational forestry personnel,biologists, naturalists, scientists, andforest managers are encouraged toattend.

Contact the local delivery centre ofthe B.C. Forestry Continuing StudiesNetwork for further information orphone the provincial office at 822-5874.

8 The B.C. Forest Service Newsletter/February 1993

Call for nominations:1993 Environmental Awards

AppointmentsThe recreation branch has somenew faces:

For your information

Each year the Minister ofEnvironment, Lands and Parksrecognizes individuals, groups, andorganizations in British Columbiawho devote their abilities toenhancing, preserving, and protectingthe environment.

To be eligible to receive an award, agroup, organization, or individualwill have been instrumental in:

• identifying, reducing, solving oravoiding an environmentalproblem;

• demonstrating consistentlyresponsible environmentalmanagement practices;

• promoting active concern for theenhancement and protection of theenvironment; or

Estimating the Abundance ofArboreal Forage Lichens, LandManagement Handbook FieldGuide Insert #7.

Arboreal lichens provide importantwinter forage for caribou in south­eastern B.C. Timber harvesting canremove this source of food, possiblyfor whole rotations. Forest andwildlife managers require lichen datato evaluate options and makedecisions.

This field guide makes possible thesimple collection of quantitativeinformation on arboreal lichens.

The authors of this guide arepreparing a short course that willdescribe how to gather, analyze, anduse lichen abundance information.For further information aboutmountain caribou ecology or researchon integrated management contactHarold Armleder, wildlife habitatecologist, Cariboo forest region at

• improving public awareness andunderstanding of an environmental

. problem or solution.

The awards will be presentedduring Environment Week at anawards ceremony held atGovernment House, June 10.Presentations will be made by theHonorable David C. Lam, LieutenantGovernor, and the Honorable JohnCashore, Minister of Environment,Lands and Parks.

The deadline for nominations thisyear is April 2.

If you would like a nominationbrochure contact the public affairsand communications branch of theMinistry of Environment, Lands andParks at 387-9419.

398-4407, or Susan Stevenson,wildlife biologist, Silvifauna Researchat 564-5695.

The Field Guide to Pests of theManaged Forest in British Columbiahas been updated and is nowavailable from the Queen's Printer.

This guide is designed for fieldpersonnel with limited knowledge orexperience in pest identification.General pest groups, importantinsects, diseases and abiotic agents,and the damage these cause are high­lighted. It is not intended to replacethe specialized training required tobecome proficient in diagnosing allcauses of damage to our forests.

The guide sells for $18.00 and maybe ordered using a Queen's Printercustomer order form or a purchaseorder. For more information contactDon Rosberg at the Queen's PrinterPublication Centre-387-4161.

Ron Rutledge started in mid­December filling the new position ofwilderness area managementspecialist. Rutledge has donecontract work for the Forest Servicein the past. He is currently finishinga PhD in wilderness management forthe University of British Columbia'sFaculty of Forestry.

Ward Trotter became the branch'srecreation analysis specialist January28. Trotter was previously withAlberta Parks where he worked withvisitors services.

Jacques Marc started as the seniorlandscape forester February 1. Marcwas the Port Alberni forest district'srecreation and landscape officer.

SISCO 1993winter meetingThe Southern Interior SilvicultureCommittee (SISCO) will hold its wintermeeting March 22-24 in Penticton at theCoast Lakeside Resort. This year'stheme is 'Opportunities for shelterwoodand selection in southern B.C. forests.'The goal of the session is to increaseeach participant's knowledge of how,when, and where partial cuttingsystems may be used.

More information can be obtainedfrom April Anderson at 365-7292.

The RC. Forest Service Newsletter ispublished by the Public AffairsBranch, Ministry of Forests, located at595 Pandora Street, Victoria.

Mailing Address:1450 Government Street, Victoria, B.C.V8W 3E7

Phone: 387-5255 FAX: 387-8485

Submissions are encouraged. Pleasesend your comments, suggestions andcontributions to Susan Bannerman, atPublic Affairs Branch.