Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson issued the following statement in recognition of International Day of Forests:

The Southeast Fire Centre is asking the public to exercise caution while conducting any outdoor burning activities this spring.

It is now legal for licensed hunters to harvest feral pigs anywhere in the province, under a new regulatory amendment designating the animal as "Schedule C" wildlife.

Every British Columbian has an interest in ensuring that natural resource sector activities are being conducted legally and safely.

B.C. has awarded $270,000 to the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup to expand their tsunami debris removal project along the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Every year in March, many Canadians take the opportunity to observe Canada Water Week (March 17-23) and World Water Day (March 22).

FrontCounter BC will begin processing fish, wildlife and park use permit applications through their 29 regional locations effective April 1.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning to conduct a prescribed burn near the Lorning Way subdivision in the Village of Lytton. This controlled burn is scheduled to start on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, and conclude by Friday, March 21, 2014.