Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has announced the reappointment of William B. McGill as vice-chair and Ralph Archibald as part-time board member of the Forest Practices Board for terms of two years each.

Both board members have been with the board since December 2011.

McGill, a professional agrologist, is a professor of ecosystem science and management at the University of Northern B.C. He specializes in the study of biogeochemical cycles and their application to global change, sustainable land use, resource recovery and soil remediation.

Archibald is a retired provincial public servant with over 40 years’ experience in the natural resource sector. He was the 2003 recipient of the Bill Young award for excellence in integrated forest management from the Association of Professional Biologists and the Association of BC Forest Professionals.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board audits forest and range practices and appropriateness of government enforcement on public lands, investigates public complaints and current forestry issues, participates in administrative appeals and makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

More information on the Forest Practices Board is available online at: http://www.bcfpb.ca