Species selection guidelines update project

A recent project to update the provincial species selection guidelines was approved by the Ministry of Forests executive in November 2005. This initiative is one of three recommendations in the report, Management of Species Composition in Cutblocks in Beetle-impacted TSAs, released on November 29, 2005. The purpose of the project is to update the Reference guide to development of stocking standards, taking into consideration recent scientific and operational information on species-pathogen relationships and forest health issues, and input from ecologists, silviculturists, forest health specialists, forest geneticists, seed specialists, and operational foresters. The final products will include a revised Reference guide to development of stocking standards in database format, updated guiding principles for tree species selection, and a synthesis document of research information and summaries by BEC subzone/variant.

A survey to gather operational experience for the species selection guidelines update is being distributed at the 3 silviculture conferences being held this winter and will be available on the Forests for Tomorrow (FFT) website http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/fft/species/species.htm . The survey can also be used to submit your name and area of expertise for input and review of the guidelines. The project progress and draft guidelines will be made available on the same FFT website.

Project Leaders:

Brian Raymer (Brian.Raymer@gov.bc.ca) - Forest Practices Branch 250-387-8909
Shirley Mah (Shirley.Mah@gov.bc.ca) - Research Branch 250- 356-2180