Sensitive alpine areas in the Okanagan Region will benefit from more protection starting July 1, when a new regulation under the Wildlife Act comes into effect prohibiting the use of motor vehicles above 1,700 metres, except on existing roads and trails.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 845 hectares of sub-alpine forest to reduce populations of the two-year cycle budworm.

School districts throughout B.C. are receiving their share of $5 million as part of ongoing funding to support their energy efficiency upgrades, Environment Minister Terry Lake and Education Minister George Abbott announced as they released the first of government's carbon neutral capital program (CNCP) cheques.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 28,000 hectares of forest in the Okanagan to reduce populations of western spruce budworm.

The Ministry of Agriculture is inviting public comment on developing the Agricultural Land Commission's (ALC) fee structure to support its evolution into a more self-sustaining organization.

In January 2012, Premier Christy Clark increased the annual base budget for gaming grants by $15 million to $135 million per year into the future and expanded eligibility to include environmental organizations, as well as adult sport and arts organizations.

Sixty people on northern Vancouver Island are beginning a 25-week training program to learn the skills necessary to work as aquaculture technicians in the aquaculture industry.

Travellers are advised the road between Wells and Likely - the Cunningham Pass (3100) Forest Service Road - will be closed at 3121 and 3126 kilometres for road repairs, from June 19 to July 3, 2012.

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.