We are pleased to announce four pre-conference workshops that will take place in the morning and afternoon on 8 May.  Each workshop will be four hours in length; the morning workshops will take place from 8:30am to 12:30 pm and the afternoon workshops from 1:30 to 5:30pm. 

Click this page to read the details bios of the workshop leaders.

MAY 8 2006 --MORNING

Ecosystem-Based Management: Making it a Reality
By John Innes, PhD, Professor, University of British Columbia
with Bill Bourgeois, PhD, Principal, New Direction Resource Management Ltd.

Forest can not be seen, or managed, solely as timber sources.  Ecosystem-based management aims to protect the ecological integrity of the landscape while allowing for resource extraction and sustained human uses, but within ecological limits, and with a principle of respect towards indigenous culture.  This workshop will take a challenging approach to ecosystem-based management with regards to implementation and monitoring.  You will examine and discuss with two top-notch specialists what are the emerging best practices and how they can be implemented in coastal BC and elsewhere.  You will be able to bring back critical knowledge to your own organization and make ecosystem-based management a viable reality on the ground.

Dealing with Greenhouse Gases in Forestry: Catching Up & Becoming Strategic
By Stephen Mooney, Vice-President Sales & Marketing, Carbonetworks

What is currently underway in North America with regards to greenhouse gas offsets in the forestry sector?  How should my company address this complex issue?  These are questions that will be discussed at this workshop, which will allow you to learn how organizations can implement auditable inventories and develop a strategic advantage over their competitors, both within and outside of emission-trading frameworks.

MAY 8 2006 -- AFTERNOON

Forest Sector Professionals: Develop Your ‘Innovation Mind’—Now!
By John Innes, PhD, Professor, University of British Columbia
with Bill Bourgeois, PhD, Principal, New Direction Resource Management Ltd.

Innovation is purposeful work that requires diligence, persistence, and commitment.  It is the process by which new services and new products are being developed to meet demands, and new methods strive at improving performance.  But innovation is often lacking in the forest sector, and as the North American forest sector increasingly faces stiff competition from lower-cost producers, there is a need to stimulate innovation and related investments.  This workshop, led by a prominent forest sector expert, will take innovation out of the “buzzword” category and demonstrate why innovation is not just for researchers, but for everyone committed to make a difference in the sector.  The workshop will feature individuals who have been directly involved in practical innovations and will provide opportunities for participants to interact directly with them.  Above all, the workshop will leave you not only with tools but also with the enthusiasm needed to advance innovation with your organization.  

Get in Control of Your Wood & Paper Procurement: using the FSC, SFI or PEFC Certification Systems
By Robert Hrubes, PhD, Sr. Vice-President, Scientific Certification Systems
and Bruce Eaket RPF, CEA(SFM), EMS (LA), Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Led by prominent forest and chain of custody certification auditors, this workshop will focus on certification for wood and paper products.  You will explore the evolution of FSC chain-of-custody and labeling requirements up to the most recent controlled wood standard that were recently approved by FSC and will enter into force on January 1, 2007 for primary manufacturers and January 1, 2008, for secondary manufacturers as well as small enterprises. You will learn about how the FSC controlled wood requirements can be implemented, including in respect to high conservation value forests and the risk registry currently in preparation. Implementation of responsible procurement under the SFI and PEFC standards will also be covered in this workshop, which will allow participants to contrast the FSC and PEFC/SFI approaches to chain of custody and procurement.

MAY 10 2006 -- FULL DAY

Leading-Edge Topics in Forest Auditing & Certification
By Keith Moore, International Forest Management Consultant, FSC Lead Auditor, & former Chair, BC Forest Practices Board
with Bill Rockwell, PhD, Principal, Strategic Resource Systems, SFI Lead Auditor,
Gregor Macintosh, Manager, Forest Products, Quality Management Institute, CSA Lead Auditor,
Kevin Edquist, Forest Practices Audit Manager, BC Forest Practices Board, and
Russ Hass, Forest Practices Audit Manager, BC Forest Practices Board

This workshop will explore leading-edge questions regarding forest management auditing and certification. Experienced lead auditors for FSC, CSA, and SFI audits will present and discuss with attendees key challenges in implementing certification standards in North America. A presentation by two experts of the BC Forest Practices Board will explore the latest with respect to water, biodiversity, and visual auditing. This workshop will last the full day, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.