The B.C. government is investing $2.2 million in the Wood First program to promote the use of B.C. wood both locally and internationally, and help advance innovative wood-building systems and value-added wood products.

Local recreational trails in the Kamloops-North Thompson area are being cleared and cattle range fencing will be repaired by two local Aboriginal people who are getting work experience in forestry and agriculture.

British Columbia’s tourism sector continues to show growth in international overnight visitors. There were an additional 52,872 more visitors in June of 2015 compared to 2014 – representing a 9.5% increase over June 2014. This brings the total number of visitors to B.C. in the January to June period up by 156,856 visitors – or 8.3% – over the same period last year.

The public is reminded that the public review and comment period on proposed land use changes in the Great Bear Rainforest closes Monday, Aug. 10, 2015.

A $17-million project to four-lane Highway 97 south of Taylor is scheduled to get underway next month, as part of B.C. on the Move, the Government of B.C.’s 10-year transportation plan.

The 61-year-old Salmon River Bridge, on Highway 97 north of Prince George, will be replaced with a new structure that can handle oversize transport trucks, as part of B.C. on the Move, the Government of B.C.’s 10-year transportation plan.