Daily Archives: February 28, 2019

Today’s Takeaway

NAHB, housing starts point to negative impact of rising costs

February 28, 2019
Category: Today's Takeaway

The NAHB says US tariffs on Canada and China are contributing to the rising cost of building materials. In related news: ABC News reports that December’s housing plummet is due to higher prices and affordability challenges. In company news: Canfor completes its Swedish acquisition; Cascade closes two paper machines in Ontario; Mercer is a top Alberta employer; Westview’s pellet fire impact; and West Fraser hosts Trades Day in Quesnel.

In other news: SAPPI joins the Sustainable Apparel Coalition; Washington State University on heat-treated wood and recycled carbon fiber; WoodWorks US announces its design winners; rebuilding the Alberta boreal forest after mining; and carbon black is dissed as green(wash) in BC.

Finally, biocontrol measures approved in NZ’s beetle battle, and the world’s most poisonous mushroom is spreading in BC.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

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Business & Politics

US housing starts plummeted 11.2 percent in December

By Josh Boak
The Associated Press in ABC News
February 26, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

The number of homes being built in December plunged to the lowest level in more than two years, a possible sign that developers are anticipating fewer new houses to be sold this year. The Commerce Department that housing starts fell 11.2 percent in December from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.08 million. This is the slowest pace of construction since September 2016. …December’s decline occurred for single-family houses and apartment buildings. …The housing market initially cooled last year as average, 30-year mortgage rates climbed to nearly 5 percent. …But the average mortgage has fallen since November, and that may help some Americans to become owners in 2019. Also, the pace of rising prices has slowed while wage growth has accelerated in recent months, which could also boost sales.

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Impact on Westview terminal uncertain after Alberta fire

By Karissa Gall
The Northern View
February 26, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West

The extent of the impact on shipment numbers at the Westview Wood Pellet Terminal remains uncertain after a fire in Alberta earlier this month. On Feb. 11 a fire and explosion damaged the dryer area at Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s wood pellet production facility in Entwistle, Alta. Pinnacle also owns and ships out of the Westview Wood Pellet Terminal.  According to a release from Friday, temporary suspension of operations is ongoing as one contractor remains in hospital. Six employees and five contractors have also been treated for minor injuries. The release said a decision will be made on when full production at the facility will resume following the outcome of the formal investigation still underway by Alberta Labour Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). However, the release added that production from dry fibre is expected to resume sometime in March.

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Trades Day at West Fraser saw mill opens student eyes to career possibilities

By Ronan O’Doherty
Quesnel Cariboo Observer
February 27, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

Fifteen students from Correlieu Secondary School had an opportunity to gain hands-on experience at West Fraser’s Quesnel sawmill thanks to a partnership between the school, West Fraser and the B.C. Council of Forest Industries. The students… learned about welding, millwright work, electrical, quality control and saw filing. The outing is beneficial for the students, as they get a taste for a variety of jobs, as well as an idea of what the environment is like at Quesnel’s largest employer. “The level of engagement, enthusiasm, interest and passion is very high with these kids,” said Jim Costley, manager of forest education for COFI. …“Fifty per cent of our labour force is going to retire in the next 10 years,” said Costley.

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Arrow expanding into Prince George with new facility

By Lindsay Chung
Quesnel Cariboo Observer
February 27, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. has grown exponentially in the last 10 years, and with that, comes expansion in northern B.C. Arrow is constructing a new facility in Prince George, which is expected to be completed by the summer. Jacob Adams, Arrow’s Prince George operations supervisor, says Arrow decided to make the expansion into Prince George because they were able to sign a long-term partnership with Canfor Pulp in the region. …“Once we knew we had a dedicated partner in Canfor who was willing to invest in us and provide us with the work, we started building up our division.” Over the past year, Arrow has hired close to 70 people. …Adams says Arrow invested about $3 million into the new facility.

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Canfor closes VIDA Group of Sweden Acquisition

By Canfor Corporation
Cision Newswire
February 28, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

VANCOUVER – Canfor Corporation, further to the Company’s news release dated November 15, 2018, announces that it has completed the purchase of 70% of the Vida Group of Sweden for a purchase price of 3,990 million Swedish Krona (approximately CAD$580 million). “We are excited to welcome the VIDA team to Canfor and we are looking forward to working with VIDA to develop our business on a global scale,” said Don Kayne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor. “We respect VIDA’s team, the quality of the wood products they produce, their strong customer relationships, and most importantly the value of the VIDA brand worldwide.”

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Mercer Peace River Pulp has been selected as a 2019 Alberta top employer

By Mercer International
MarketScreener
February 26, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

David Gandossi

VANCOUVER, BC — Mercer International is proud to announce that Mercer Peace River Pulp has been recognized as one of the top 75 employers in Alberta. “This recognition is a reflection of the exceptional performance of the organization and its team members,” stated Mercer President and CEO, David Gandossi. Mr. Gandossi continued “Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. is a workforce that not only leads the industry with the highest standards in health and safety and performance management, but it exemplifies how to do so consistently.” Alberta’s Top Employers recognizes leading organizations who demonstrate strong performance along with the ability to attract and retain high‐performing talent. 

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Fort Frances resolution calls for wood access for potential mill buyers

CBC News
February 27, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada East

The town of Fort Frances, Ont., has passed a resolution calling on the provincial government to expand access to wood in the Crossroute Forest in an effort to save the town’s mill. Resolute Forest Products holds the Sustainable Forest License for the forest. It also owns the mill, which it shuttered in 2013. The town says potential mill buyers looking to restart the facility are deterred by a lack of affordable access to wood. “The mill’s future has been jeopardized by what appear to be dealings motivated by a desire to maintain control of the local wood supply or to hinder new entrants into the forest industry,” the resolution reads.  “Local forest resources should be sustainably managed to primarily support and create jobs and economic prosperity for their surrounding communities.”    

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Cascades announces closure of two tissue paper machines located in the Greater Toronto Area

By Cascades Inc.
Cision Newswire
February 28, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada East

KINGSEY FALLS, QC – Cascades Inc., a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and tissue products, announces the definitive closure of its tissue paper machines located in Whitbyand Scarborough (Progress Avenue) in Ontario. The leases for these two plants expire on August 27, 2019 and will not be renewed. The end date of the production remains to be determined. In total, the sites produce 44,000 tonnes of tissue paper annually and employ 68 workers. “Today, we are announcing the closure of two paper machines in Ontario. Their unprofitability and the current market conditions have convinced us that it is better to source externally to supply our needs. It is important to note that this decision will have no impact on our ability to serve our customers, “said Jean Jobin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Tissue Group.

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China, U.S. Trade Disputes Highlighted by NAHB in Washington House Hearing

By Michael Gerrity
The World Property Journal
February 28, 2019
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, International

Greg Ugalde

The NAHB’s chairman Greg Ugalde issued the following statement after this yesterday’s House and Ways Means Committee hearing in Washington DC on US-China trade: “We commend Rep. Mike Thompson for raising concerns… that tariffs on Chinese goods represent a $1 billion tax on housing and harm housing affordability. The hearing on U.S.-China trade only underscores the need for the administration to move quickly to resolve trade disputes that are… exacerbating the housing affordability crisis. “U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer responded… by talking about softwood lumber. Lighthizer’s reply essentially confirms that tariffs on imports of Canadian lumber; steel and aluminum; and hundreds of products from China commonly used in U.S. residential construction are contributing to the rising cost of building materials. …The administration must resolve these trade conflicts in a manner that will provide a fair deal to American home buyers and businesses.”

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Wood, Paper & Green Building

Safer homes could save lives

Lethbridge Herald
February 27, 2019
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada, Canada East

A house fire in Halifax last week which claimed the lives of seven children has prompted discussion about boosting fire safety standards. Witness reports about the fast-moving fire in a newly built housing area in Halifax have led to suggestions of making changes to the national building code to better protect homes from fire. “I think we’re going to learn from this tragedy and you may actually end up seeing some changes coming in the codes as a result of this,” Phil Rizcallah, director for construction research and development with the National Research Council of Canada, said in a Canadian Press story Monday. While Halifax Fire Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum has not spoken about the specifics of last week’s blaze which killed all seven children of Ebraheim and Kawthar Barho, he noted that “new homes are built with light-weight construction. Once fire barriers are penetrated, rapid fire spread is possible in new construction.”

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WoodWorks Announces 2019 Wood Design Award Winners

By WoodWorks
Cision Newswire
February 27, 2019
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States

Jennifer Cover

WASHINGTON — WoodWorks – Wood Products Council has announced the winners of its 2019 Wood Design Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence in wood building design across the U.S. Awards are an opportunity to recognize building designers for their skill and ingenuity, and to showcase projects that demonstrate the attributes of wood that make it so appealing. “I’ve heard people call it a wood revolution but whatever the term, this year’s nominees seem to reflect genuine interest in maximizing the potential of wood building design in this country,” said Jennifer Cover, WoodWorks’ President and CEO. “At one end of the spectrum, winners include an 8-story apartment building, which exemplifies the interest we’re seeing in taller wood structures; at the other, an adaptive re-use project that includes original wood framing from the 1880s. …Once again, a common thread is that this year’s winning projects showcase the use of wood in all its versatile glory.”

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Washington State University turning recycled carbon fiber into green building materials

By Siddharth Vodnala
Washington State University Insider
February 28, 2019
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States, US West

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers are working with a Port Angeles nonprofit organization to develop new housing materials from heat-treated wood and recycled carbon fiber used in Boeing airplanes. Researchers from WSU’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC) are assisting the Composites Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) in Port Angeles to produce construction-grade cross-laminated timber (CLT). A demonstration panel for the first phase of the project will be on display from March 19-21 at the 2019 International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Ore. Cross-laminated timber is a relatively new building material in the U.S. that has significant advantages in sustainability over many traditional housing materials, said Don Bender, CMEC director and Weyerhaeuser Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who is the lead investigator for WSU.

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Washington State University turning recycled carbon fiber into green building materials

By Siddharth Vodnala
Washington State University Insider
February 28, 2019
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States, US West

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers are working with a Port Angeles nonprofit organization to develop new housing materials from heat-treated wood and recycled carbon fiber used in Boeing airplanes. Researchers from WSU’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center are assisting the Composites Recycling Technology Center in Port Angeles to produce construction-grade cross-laminated timber. …To convert the timber to a more durable, stable construction material, the researchers are investigating thermally modified lumber. Thermal modification makes the wood more resistant to decay, and less prone to shrinking and swelling as the moisture conditions change. …The first real-world application for the carbon fiber-reinforced wood composite created for the project will likely be military housing. The project’s end goal is development of a new manufacturing facility on the Olympic Peninsula, which could create as much as 50 new jobs in the region.

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Tiny timber homes making a big difference to sustainable and affordable housing

Architecture and Design Australia
February 28, 2019
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International

Australia is only behind the US in building the biggest freestanding houses in the world at an average of 230.8 square metres. …So is bigger always better? One Melbourne-based business is proving that it is not, with an innovative housing concept that addresses key issues such as affordability and youth homelessness as well as environmental sustainability, thanks to certified timber from Responsible Wood. This ‘tiny home’ business began with international architects Grimshaw winning a cubby house design competition held by Kids Under Cover in 2017. …Timber is used extensively in The Peak’s design with the structure comprising of sustainably sourced Laminated Veneer Lumber with some metal external wall cladding while the angle of the roof allows for optimal photovoltaic performance. 

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Sappi joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition – strengthening its commitment to improving supply chain sustainability

By SAPPI
Cision Newswire
February 27, 2019
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International

Steve Binnie

BOSTON — Sappi Limited is pleased to announce that it has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and will use the group’s sustainability measurement suite of tools, the Higg Index, to drive environmental and social responsibility throughout its supply chain. With its membership in the SAC, Sappi joins more than 240 global brands, retailers, and manufacturers, which are collectively committed to improving supply chain sustainability in the apparel, footwear, and textile industry. …Sappi Limited CEO Steve Binnie commented: “Sappi’s sustainability strategy… expand our range of products derived from woodfibre, including packaging and speciality papers, woodfibre based bioproducts and importantly dissolving wood pulp for the textiles industry.

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Forestry

B.C. Parks seeks public comment over plans to protect centuries-old Ancient Forest

By Clare Hennig
CBC News
February 27, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

Darwyn Coxson

The province is seeking British Columbians’ help to put together a new management plan to protect the only inland temperate rainforest in the world: the Ancient Forest. The Ancient Forest Park, or Chun T’oh Wudujut in the local Lheidli language, is located 120 kilometres east of Prince George. A portion of the area, full of giant trees that have stood for centuries, is in a protected area already.  “These are not the tidy manicured cedars of boulevards in Vancouver,” said Darwyn Coxson, who teaches at the University of Northern British Columbia.  “These are survivors of about 500 or a thousand years — they’ve weathered lightning strikes, ice storms, blizzards, but they are incredibly hardy as long as we maintain this old forest intact.”

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Rebuilding the boreal forest

By Vincent McDermott
Fort McMurray Today
February 27, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

…For nearly six years, Syncrude has been trying to turn the site into a fen, a type of wetland with a peaty soil ideal for storing carbon. Like a sponge, the landscape filters water and stores it for dry periods. It is considered vital to the health of the boreal forest. …Through interviews and an email exchange, Skinner discusses how an oilsands company begins a reclamation project. …How do you prepare for the reclamation process? …What do you have to watch for when it is time to replant? Since we are reclaiming the area back to a boreal forest, we need to ensure we have the right species of trees and shrubs available. Our reclamation planning team goes out on the land and collects the seeds we need.

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New woodlot raises concerns for Alberni Valley trail

Letter by Mike Youds
BC Local News
February 27, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

A new woodlot north of Maplehurst Park has trail users worried that part of a community trail network could be obliterated by logging. The forest covered hills that straddle Kitsuksis Creek in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) contain a network of trails and footbridges built by volunteers… A large section of the Maplehurst trail loops north of the park through the newly designated woodlot, a common form of forest tenure in Crown timber around B.C. communities. …Greenmax Resources of Port Alberni is the licensee of the Kitsuksis woodlot, referred to as Unit C, a 99-hectare parcel that replaces land removed from the company’s woodlot to allow expansion of Alberni Valley Regional Airport. Owner Dave McBride, holidaying in New Zealand, explained via email that current consultations with the public and local First Nations represent the culmination of a five-year replacement process.

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Lakehead University, Confederation College and Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service sign MOU for forest science research and education

Lakehead University
February 26, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada East

Thunder Bay, Ont.—On February 26, Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service, Lakehead University and Confederation College signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Forest Science Research and Education. …The MOU is aimed at increasing opportunities for all organizations to share expertise and resources in forest science and related research, collaboration and education initiatives. It recognizes the potential for this relationship to assist each organization in strengthening forest science research, education, and commercial development in Canada. “On behalf of the Canadian Forest Service, we are excited to further strengthen our relationship with  Lakehead University and Confederation College through this memorandum of understanding. This MOU represents our mutual support for the advancement of forest science research and education within our respective organizations and throughout Canada,” said Dr. David Nanang, Director General, Canadian Forest Service-Great Lakes Forestry Centre. 

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Woodlot group focused on growth, education

By Louis Pin
The Sarnia Observer
February 27, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada East

Alvinston, Ontario — The South West Woodlot Association will host their annual general meeting in Alvinston this weekend, in part to educate people interested in restoring and preserving forests and nature in the region. …The local woodlot association is less a lobby group and more a boots-on-the-ground collection of 50 to 60 individuals, some associated with conservation authorities. Tim Payne, manager of forestry with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, for instance, is also a technical adviser for the South West Woodlot Association.

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Fight is on for $700,000 in leftover pine beetle money

By Seth Tupper
Rapid City Journal
February 26, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US West

A coalition of Black Hills lawmakers, foresters and other interested parties is at odds with the governor’s office about the proper use of approximately $700,000 in state funds left over from the fight against the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The coalition of Black Hills interests wants to redirect the money toward proactive efforts to reduce the severity of the next beetle epidemic. The governor’s office wants to put the money back in the general fund. The forum for the dispute is the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Appropriations. Last Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 1120, sponsored by Rep. David Johnson, R-Rapid City. The bill would capture the remaining $705,101 from the state’s mountain pine beetle mitigation fund and designate it as a “forest health and resilience fund.”

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Department of Natural Resources warns of invasive tree found in 12 Wisconsin counties

By Matthew Clark
Channel 3000
February 27, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

MADISON, Wis. – Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are asking people to be on the lookout for an invasive species of tree.  According to the DNR, the Amur cork tree has been found in at least 12 counties, with populations ranging from a few to several thousand. The trees have a unique, corky outer bark and have a yellow tissue under the bark. The species of tree is damaging to the diversity of Wisconsin’s forests, and planting them is prohibited under the state’s invasive species rule.  The trees are typically found in parks, yards and cities, but they can quickly spread to forests after their fruit is eaten by birds.  Officials said people who believe they have spotted one of the trees should use a knife to peel away the bark to confirm the color.  The DNR asks people to email them locations of the trees at invasive.species@wisconsin.gov with the subject line “Amur cork tree location.” 

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Ash loggers race against time before beetles get them all

By Micheal Hill
Associated Press in Bangor Daily News
February 27, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

WALTON, New York — Loggers in snowy forests are cutting down ash like there’s no tomorrow, seeking to stay one step ahead of a fast-spreading beetle killing the tree in dozens of states. The emerald ash borer has been chewing its way through trees from Maine to Colorado for about two decades, devastating a species prized for yielding a light-grained hardwood attractive enough for furniture and resilient enough for baseball bats. Many hard-hit areas are east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Some fear areas in the invasion zone like upstate New York might have only five to seven years of ash logging left. “Emerald ash borer is probably the most thorough killing machine that we’ve come across in my career over the last 35 years,” said Tom Gerow, general manager for The Wagner Companies, which specializes in furniture-grade lumber.

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Mike Kelly flags a new future for local forestry – jobs and environment

By Ian Campbell
About Regional
February 28, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: International

In the wake of potential job losses at Eden’s Blue Ridge Hardwoods and ongoing concern with native forestry, the Member for Eden-Monaro is suggesting a shake-up of the timber industry. “Our native forests could very well potentially hold more value as carbon sinks and in ecotourism, perhaps alongside some selective sustainable logging activity,” Mike Kelly says. Speaking with Region Media, Dr Kelly made the comments in connection with questions about the current harvesting operation underway near the historic Corn Trail in the Monga National Park near Buckenbowra State Forest. “Labor is keen to pursue the establishment of a Timber Hub for the region which would include funding to establish a timber co-op that engages local farmers to assign portions of their property to plantation development, this would help them diversify their income,” Dr Kelly says.

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Andrews Government needs to explain its role in timber industry crisis

PRWire
February 28, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: International

The Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) has called on the Victorian Government to fully explain why it is refusing to release pre-designated wood production forest to the timber industry. Mark Poynter, a Fellow of the IFA in Victoria said, ‘Victorian Premier Andrews’ explanation that the delay in releasing this timber is due to the importance of “following the process to get the planning right” is hard to fathom, given that the Timber Release Plan has been ready for signing since before last November’s state election. …‘Under these circumstances, we would expect timber production to continue while this review was conducted. Stopping an industry dead in its tracks while formulating a strategy for its future is unprecedented and guaranteed to create an employment crisis for regions and rural communities.

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New biocontrol approved in beetle battle

Scoop New Zealand
February 28, 2019
Category: Forestry
Region: International

…A tiny wasp, Eadya daenerys, can now be used in New Zealand to combat the destructive eucalyptus tortoise beetle (Paropsis charybdis). A decision-making committee appointed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved an application to release the parasitoid wasp in New Zealand. …The application was lodged by Scion, the Crown Research Institute focused on research, science and technological development for the forestry and timber industries. The EPA’s… Dr Fiona Thomson-Carter says “Eucalypts are an important component of our forestry industry; and in the landscape gums provide shelter, floral nectar resources for birds and bees, erosion control on steep land, and increased biodiversity. …“The deliberate use of natural enemies to reduce pest populations can be a very cost effective and reduce the need for chemical insecticides.

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Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy

Carbon black is the new green(wash)

By Jim Polar, forest ecologist
BC Local News
February 27, 2019
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: Canada, Canada West

Jim Polar

BC’s new Climate Change Strategy outlines many ways to reduce emissions, but it skates around the forest sector. Premier Horgan’s recent forest policy announcement didn’t even mention forestry’s key role. Forests fix and store huge amounts of carbon, and forestry is by far the biggest source of carbon emissions in BC. Yet the unruly dynamics of forest carbon are not fully reported in provincial emissions totals. The standard voodoo accounting treats forestry as carbon neutral, not counting its emissions as GHGs because in theory the trees will grow back. Even if it would take until 2100 and beyond for newly logged forests to recover their carbon stocks. BC’s forest carbon strategy favours accelerated logging, more wood products, and more bioenergy. …Questionable claims about forestry and climate change will probably be invoked in support of this strategy. 

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Health & Safety

B.C. communities get $1.5 million in funding for evacuation route planning

Harrison Mooney
Vancouver Sun
February 26, 2019
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety has approved approximately $1.5 million in funding for evacuation route planning to 60 local and regional governments and First Nations communities. Each of the communities and governments will be receiving up to $25,000 each through the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, bringing the total granted successful applicants all over the province to more than $17 million since September 2017. That’s just over halfway to the $33.5-million allocated by the government to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters. “We can’t predict exactly when a disaster may hit, but we can help our partners prepare so that if people have to be evacuated, they’re doing so in the safest, best way possible,” said Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.

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World’s most poisonous mushroom spreading in B.C.

By Joti Grewal
BC Local News
February 26, 2019
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

The world’s most poisonous mushroom is spreading in British Columbia, according to a recent article in the B.C. Medical Journal. The publication is alerting doctors, nurses and pharmacists to the dangers of people consuming Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, as well as to their roles in preventing related deaths.  “Healthcare providers need to be aware of the risk, as prompt recognition and appropriate management are critical for positive patient outcomes,” said authors of the article, Maxwell Moor-Smith, Raymond Li and Omar Ahmad. The death cap is not native to Canada and was brought to B.C. on the roots of imported European trees. Since the first death cap specimen was found and collected in B.C. in 1997, there have been numerous sightings of the mushrooms in the Fraser Valley, southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

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