South Island Natural Resource District and the Pacific Rim Forest Professional Network invite members of the public to celebrate National Forest Week at an open house at the district office, 4885 Cherry Creek Rd., Port Alberni on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

This year’s theme for National Forest Week, Sunrise in the Forest, highlights forestry as a sunrise industry full of opportunity. To start the festivities, district staff will host a delicious pancake breakfast sponsored by Western Forest Products, Timberwest, Alberni Valley Community Forest Corporation and HFN Forestry Services Ltd. The meal will be prepared by Dave’s Catering and features special guest, Smokey the Bear. Members of the public are advised to arrive early.

Visitors can join forest professionals on a forest walk and learn about the many aspects of forest management, including forest biology, tree identification and measurement, and fire prevention/suppression. Tours leave from the district office at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Again this year, the district will hold a photo contest. Anyone interested can submit a photo relating to the theme, in print form, to the district office no later than 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. All photos will be displayed in the foyer of the South Island Natural Resource District office from Sept. 23-25, 2014. Votes will be accepted until noon, Sept. 25, 2014. Come in and vote for your favourite. First prize includes a whale watching weekend with Jamie’s Whaling Station in Tofino.

Other activities and displays during the open house include:

• Watch First Nations Wildcrafters make essential oil from Western Red Cedar.
• Find out about local recreation sites and trails.
• Chat with staff from BC Timber Sales, Western Forest Products and the Alberni Valley Community Forest.
• Discover the past; the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society will be on site with some of its restored equipment.
• Learn about the 2014 fire season from our wildfire staff and local Thunderbird Fire Crew.
• See what the B.C. Forest Safety Council has been up to this year.
• Catch a glimpse into the Lands department of the district office.
• Shoot the puck to win a “truckload” of firewood.
• Win great door prizes.

Learn More:

National Forest Week: http://www.abcfp.ca/about_us/events/national_forest_week.asp

Media Contacts:

Tracy Andrews
Resource Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 731-3087

Rhonda Morris
District Manager
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 731-3033