A provincial program to help ensure British Columbia's forests are managed in an environmentally sustainable way has received national recognition.

The Forest and Range Evaluation Program (FREP) received the Gold Trophy Award from the Canada Awards for Excellence for having fully met the highest level of the quality criteria for public sector excellence.

FREP monitors 11 resource values managed under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), including biodiversity, timber, cultural heritage, recreation and wildlife. FREP monitoring is foundational to the success of the overall FRPA framework by providing feedback to foresters, government and licensees on how well policies and practices are meeting government objectives. The program is jointly delivered by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Ministry of Environment.

Excellence Canada is a not-for-profit, independent organization with a mandate to help private and public sector organizations implement programs of excellence.

Quick Facts:

• The Canada Awards for Excellence recognize outstanding achievements in quality, customer service and a healthy workplace.
• The Forest and Range Evaluation Program achieved Level One Certification in September 2006, Level Two Certification of the Progressive Excellence Program in October 2007, and Level Three Certification and the Silver Trophy of the Canada Awards for Excellence in October 2008.
• The Forest and Range Evaluation Program strives for continuous improvement in six key areas: leadership, planning, citizen/ client focus, people focus, process management and supplier/ partner focus.

Learn More:

Find out more about the Forest and Range Evaluation Program at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/frep/

See photos at: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjw8qJtV

Contact:

Vivian Thomas
Communications Manager
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-2475