Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has announced the reappointment of four board members to the Forest Practices Board for terms of two years each.

Wildlife conservation efforts in southeast B.C. received a big boost today with a new agreement between the Province and Ducks Unlimited Canada to jointly operate the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area for the next 30 years.

The public is urged to take extra care near the Okanagan River because of high water levels. Recent rain events combined with this year's snowpack melt have required ministry staff to release additional water from Okanagan Lake.

The Province has amended Heritage Investigation Permit 2011-0376 for a private property on the 1300 block of SW Marine Drive, also known as the Marpole Midden site, under Section 12 (6) of the Heritage Conservation Act.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 3,600 hectares of forest around Quesnel Lake to reduce populations of the western hemlock looper larva.

Effective at 12 noon on Friday, June 15, 2012, the current open burning ban will be expanded across the entire Kamloops Fire Centre to include the Salmon Arm and Clearwater fire zones, in order to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 46,000 hectares of forest in the Cariboo to reduce populations of western spruce budworm.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 21,400 hectares of forest in the Cascades District to reduce populations of western spruce budworm.