Here is the latest line up of presenters and topics for this year’s conference in Prince George January 29,30,31 2003
Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association 22nd Annual Conference and Tradeshow
Coast Inn of the North, Prince George, British Columbia 29,30,31 January 2003
This conference is for foresters and contractors involved in the business of silviculture in Western Canada. If you are active in spacing, treeplanting, brushing, site preparation, environmental restoration, wildfire fighting and any other related forestry activities you will find this conference useful in operating your silvicultural program, running your business and planning for the future. Conference workshops, panels and plenary sessions will concentrate on both the big policy pictures along with the practicalities of running projects and businessess day to day within government regulations.
Wednesday 29 January 1pm-4pm
Forest Health Panel Discussion and Presentations; Five of the province’s top experts on forest health will outline the problems our forests face and the role forestry contractors can play in solving these threats.
Panelists include: Larry Pedersen, B.C.’s Chief Forester; Bob Gray and Bruce Blackwell, forest ecologists and consultants; Staffan Lindgren, Associate Prof. Ecosystems Science and Management UNBC; Dr. Erik Allen, Canadian Forest Service.
Thursday 30 January All day
Morning Plenary Sessions and Trade Show: A mix of presentations and business networking
Ergonomics, nutrition and injury prevention: Ergonomist Suzanne Kinney and Kenesiologist Dr. Delia Roberts present their recent findings correlating silvicultural productivity and injury prevention with the science of muscle movement and proper muscula-skeletal maintenance.
The Kyoto Protocol and carbon sequestration: Will these international environmental initiatives translate into forestry practices on the ground or remain abstract political notions? Thomas White Canadian Forest Service expert in this field will outline what we do and don’t know on this complex topic.
The Forest Investment Account: Ministry of Forests executive spokesman Ken Baker will review the accomplishments of this annually renewable public forestry funding program that replaced FRBC. He will discuss its future and how it will evolve in the scheme known as defined forest area management.
Noon: Luncheon Buffet
Keynote Address: Minister of Forests Mike de Jong; With the Throne Speech only a few weeks away setting the tenor for a new sitting of the Legislature the minister will give us an idea of where government is going in meeting its promise to revitalize and reform forest policy in British Columbia.
Afternoon Workshops:
Faller Certification: Who will it apply to in forestry? How will the certification be implemented? Presenter David Rowe from Forest Industry Safety Association
WCB Claims Management: What are the best employer strategies for managing WCB injury claims? Presenter: Ken Henry Ministry of Skills Development and Labour Employers’ Advisers
Employment Standards Act Regulations: Keeping your payroll and employee relations in compliance with the regs. Presenter: Berhane Semere Employment Standards Branch
Transfer of Silvicultural Obligations: How will government transfer free to grow obligations to third parties with minimal risks to the Crown: Presenter John McClarnon Ministry of Forests
Evening: Bar and Banquet Dinner
Banquet Speaker: Vaughn Palmer Vancouver Sun Columnist: Palmer on Politics
Friday 31 January
Morning Plenary Session: 9am to 10 am
WSCA Forestry Funding Proposal and Principles: There have been 33 short-lived funding models for so called incremental forestry in British Columbia. Is there a better process? Presenter Dirk Brinkman, Brinkman and Associates
WSCA Annual General Meeting 10:30am to noon
President’s Report Election of Board of Directors and Executive Vote on motion to join Forest Industry Safety Association other association business
Closing address