> Bi-weekly Minutes 

Bi-weekly Meetings

Forests for Tomorrow

Present:

Nigel Fletcher, John McClarnon, Brian Barber, Brian Raymer, Cheryl Edwards, Susan Hoyles, Gordon Nigh, Tim Ebata, Janet Gagné, Sheldon Gagné, Ljiljana Knezevic, Dave Weaver, Leslie McAuley, Mike Madill, Nola Daintith, Ian Brown, Ivan Lister, Jacob Boateng, Jon Vivian, Ric Baker, Anna Monetta, Gord Dow.

UPDATE		ACTION
GIS Analytical Training Project (Cheryl Edwards)
	ˇ         with all the changes across the ministry both in infrastructure and data handling, three training streams are being developed to help MOFR staff deal with these changes ˇ         across the ministry over 1,500 staff will be trained in one or more of the following: Arc Info GIS Basic Tools - 22 courses in 13 locations are taking place - began in mid September and will run to December IMAP-BC and MAP-View training is presently being developed - Train the Trainer programs will be conducted within the next couple months to train 25 staff who will then train the rest of the ministry. Self-study modules are also being developed and will be posted on the web. Advanced Concepts in GIS training will start late this fiscal year and continue next fiscal. ˇ         staff will have access to reference material, study guides and online training material after their training ˇ         the overall project has an approved budget of $150,000 this fiscal with another $15,000 needed to complete the project. A budget request for further funding will be required for next fiscal. ˇ         a better communications strategy around this training needs to be developed so staff will be aware of the importance of this training ˇ         some sessions will be scheduled for headquarters staff as needed	Course delivery

COMMITTEE UPDATES		ACTION
Strategic Planning (Update by John McClarnon for Lorne Bedford)
	ˇ         the strategic planning meeting scheduled for last Friday was cancelled but a meeting was held with Henry Benskin wherein he reviewed/clarified expectations regarding the November 2nd Quarter Review meetings.
Program and Operational Planning (John McClarnon)
	ˇ         direction is being sought from Henry Benskin & Strategic Planning committee regarding how to address a potential surplus ˇ         staff should still continue to identify opportunities for brushing in impeded stands although action may not take place until 2007 ˇ         the agenda for the staff meeting on November 8 is ambitious, with tight timelines it could use fine-tuning  to  ensure enough time for discussion of topics of major importance to all ˇ         Re: the Business Review November 9 a.m.: o        Spending authorities will present responses to template on spending and major projects o        Committee leads will provide answers to templates to be complied into an overview summary of committee performance and plans	John will review and organize staff call if needed
	ˇ         Templates sent to the committee leads were discussed on the call  - these templates should be filled in and emailed back to Nigel (with a copy to Janet Gagne enaresed@shaw.ca) by October 26. They will then be compiled into a booklet so everyone can see what each committee is doing.	Committee Leads
	ˇ         Spending authorities have also been sent templates and will be sent pie-charts relating to their specific areas - they will then compile information on how much of their allocation has been spent and where. Upon completion, these charts and answers to templates should be sent to Nigel for consolidation by Nov. 1.	Spending Authorities   Nigel
	ˇ         Paul Quackenbush and Malcolm Gray will be contacted regarding a representative for the ILMB - and a representative from the Research Branch will also be contacted	Nigel
Implementation (Brian Raymer)
	ˇ         approval of the briefing note on the Delivery Model Plan has been deferred until after external stakeholders have expressed their views during the November meeting.
	ˇ         A discussion needs to be held on how to address the need to coordinate activities between FIA and FFT. This discussion will be scheduled as an agenda item at the November meeting.	Nigel
Performance Measurement and Reporting (Susan Hoyles)
	ˇ         Ralph attended BA 2 Stewardship meeting.  They asked for analysis and method for KPI calculation.
Communications (Nigel Fletcher)
	ˇ         A plethora of information has been added to the website, including additional information on Silviculture Strategy and Inventory
	ˇ         All conference materials will be posted on the website and available for download.
	ˇ         All committees are encouraged to forward their material to Nigel for posting on the site.	All
Silviculture Strategy
	ˇ         Type One stregies are moving ahead, mostly in the Southern Interior - the dates for the workshops are posted on the web
Inventory (Rick Baker)
	ˇ         A project on Small Scale Salvage is almost ready to be put to an ITQ ˇ         Fire mapping requirements will soon go to an ITQ. ˇ         Digital images are being processed and posted. For access contact Rick or Ann to identify where to access this data.
Seed Planning (Brian Barber)
	ˇ         developing a long-term seed program to ensure an adequate supply for next year and beyond ˇ         involving Roger Painter to develop given his experience in Tree Improvement program ˇ         should know by the end of this month how many seedlings will be required for the summer of 2006 and spring of 2007.
Ecosystem Restoration (Nigel Fletcher for Colene Woods)
	ˇ         The contract for development of the ecosystem restoration strategy and framework has been awarded to ENAR ESDE Inc. and Associates and will be administered by Forsite Consulting Ltd. ˇ         ER working group will be getting more active now that the strategy will be developed ˇ         Strategy will focus on ER for catastrophic events; plan for 06/07 will cover the federal funding for MPB ER at about $4M ˇ         Supporting FORREX newsletter "Streamlines" for aquatic restoration extension; ˇ         Considering a technical workshop on what types of treatments might work for MPB ER; ˇ         Plan to review FIA LBIP standards to decide if more work is needed for FFT activities and MPB activities; ˇ         Will consider several options for delivery of ER for 2006/07; ˇ         There is a need to clarify roles and responsibilities between the Ministry of Environment and MOFR. Need to discuss overlap and value for money.	Discussion point
Effectiveness Evaluation
	ˇ         No report
Research (Jacob Boateng)
	ˇ         An email has gone out asking for input into development of a research strategy challenge dialogue paper for FFT	All invited to respond
Forest Health and Climate Change (Tim Ebata)
	ˇ         the Young Pine Mortality Study, being conducted by Lorraine McLaughlin is progressing well ˇ         Northern Interior heli-flights have showed some surprising results which may indicate different MPB behaviour than in the south ˇ         must start concentrating on other insects such as the Douglas Fir Beetle and the Western Pine Beetle
Species in Beetle Blocks
	ˇ
ENAR ESDE Inc. Update (Janet Gagne)
	ˇ         spending much of their time organizing the November conference ˇ         developing a logic model and risk assessment ˇ         Sheldon (& Peter Ackhurst) working on a fire standard iwith Mike Madill, Brian Raymer, Cliff Beliveau and Peter Echert  - will be available soon.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Update (Ian Brown)
	ˇ         The second quarter report has been completed, forwarded to John McClarnon and subsequently forwarded to regions for comment back by the end of the week. ˇ         There is $10.4 million under investment schedule with 40% or $4.1 million committed. ˇ         Work is being done with recipients and TSAs to identify backlog and impeded stands from a planning point of view. ˇ         Planning for audits is starting and recipients will be contacted within the next month regarding scheduling.
Next Meeting
	Tuesday, November 1