A Sunrise in the forest, that is this years theme for National Forest Week which kicked off yesterday.
Its the symbolism for an industry that is rising up from an economic disaster in 2009, all the way to diversified markets in both the United States and Asia today.
Steve Thomson, BC’s forest minister, says the amount of change that has occurred since those dark days has been substantial:
“From 2009 timber harvesting increased by 47 percent, the value of our forest product exports by 53 percent, a total of 11.6 Billion. Employment increased by 13 percent with 58 thousand direct jobs throughout the province. So its about celebrating the industry”
He says this shows the resiliency of the industry, as well as the forests themselves from dangers like fire and the Pine Beetle, and that the outlook is looking bright for the future.
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