Woodlot licensee George Dore - the best in the province this year - is also the Southern Interior regional award winner of the Minister's Award of Excellence for Woodlot Management.

Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater made the announcement today, on behalf of Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

Dore has managed a woodlot in the Boundary area since 1989 and is known for his loyalty and dedication to sustainable harvesting and long-term stewardship for his own woodlot and for others in the local area, as well as for his support of woodlot activities provincewide. Dore is also president of the Boundary Woodlot Association.

He has shown success in maintaining and improving site productivity through hard work, using difficult site locations that needed to be prepared and planted multiple times before they were productive.

Dore knows the importance of local wildlife and is involved in creating habitat for deer herds through pruning and by grass seeding areas of his woodlot suitable for deer.

Licensees that show exemplary leadership and contribution to woodlot management are recognized annually through the Minister's Award of Excellence for Woodlot Management.

Three regional awards are given - one for the Northern Interior, one for the Southern Interior and one for the Coast. Each award is for $2,500. An additional $2,500 is also awarded to the overall provincial winner. Finalists are evaluated by a team with representation from the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations and the ministry.

Nominations for the 2012 awards are due by Dec. 31, 2012.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations -

"George Dore exhibits the highest level of commitment and loyalty when it comes to his woodlot and other woodlots around the province. His focus on improving the use of wood waste, increasing site productivity and streamlining administration has resulted in an operation he can be very proud of."

John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen -

"The Province's Woodlot Licence Program continues to see the benefits of George's willingness to share his knowledge and past experiences. His enthusiasm and openness to change is a leading example to other woodlot licensees of an exemplary woodlot manager."

Mark Clark, president, Federation of BC Woodlot Associations -

"Over the years, George has continued to move forward and adapt to changes that affect his woodlot and woodlot operations around B.C. Being open to new ideas and technology helps ensure his operation stays current and continues to provide economic, social and recreational benefits. Congratulations George!"

Quick Facts:

• Woodlot licences are small, area-based tenures that combine private land with up to 800 hectares of Crown land on the Coast and 1,200 hectares in the Interior, and are managed by individuals, groups or First Nations.
• Woodlots are replaceable tenures, usually awarded for an initial term of 20 years.
• British Columbia has 866 active woodlots. Each woodlot generates jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

Learn More:

About the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations: http://www.woodlot.bc.ca/

About woodlot licences: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/timber-tenures/woodlots/index.htm

Contact:

Logan Wenham
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 953-3675