John and Joyce Helweg, who operate a woodlot near Fort St. James, were recognized by Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson as part of the 2013 Woodlot Management Awards.

The Helwegs received a $2,500 regional award for their work in B.C.'s Northern Interior, demonstrating a commitment to sound forestry and demonstrating exemplary forest stewardship.

The other award recipients are John Gregson and Dave Gregson of Nanaimo, and Rodney Keith Krimmer of Hagensborg, near Bella Coola.

The awards are funded by the Province and administered by the Province and the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations. Each year, the awards recognize one woodlot licensee representing each of the Coast, South and North regions, along with an overall top performer.

Quotes:

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

"B.C.'s woodlot licence program is a unique way to give British Columbians the opportunity to manage small-scale forestry operations on Crown land. John and Joyce are worthy recipients of this award and clearly demonstrate a solid commitment to their community by providing extensive woodlot and other forestry-related training, education and promotion."

General manager of the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations Brian McNaughton -

"The Federation of BC Woodlot Associations is pleased to be working with the provincial government on this important recognition program. It's great that we are able to celebrate the work of our members, and, in particular, to highlight those members that are taking the lead by practicing exemplary forest and natural resources management in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner."

MLA for Nechako Lakes John Rustad -

"John and Joyce's commitment to Fort St. James and forestry training is outstanding."

Quick Facts:

• Woodlot licensees are small, area-based tenures that often 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.
• British Columbia has over 860 active woodlots. Each woodlot generates jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

Learn More:

B.C. Woodlot Licence program: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/timber-tenures/woodlots/index.htm

Federation of B.C. Woodlot Associations: http://www.woodlot.bc.ca/

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261