BC Gov News

Cindy Stern and Gail Wallin have been appointed to the Forest Practices Board for three-year terms.

Stern, a registered professional forester, has been a consultant working primarily with First Nations communities on the coast advising on strategic forestry matters, resource management, economic development and administration for the past 14 years, including the Nanoose, Tseshaht, Ahousaht, Ditidaht and Qualicum First Nations.

Previously Stern worked for B.C.'s ministry of forests from 1996 to 2006 as district manager for the Haida Gwaii and South Island Natural Resource Districts and regional executive director for the Coast Region. Stern lives in Parksville.

Wallin has worked in the natural resource management field as an educator and a facilitator and as an executive with non-government organizations. Since 1991, she was a consultant specializing in multi-party facilitation on natural resource management issues. Wallin has served in senior leadership roles with the BC Forestry Association, Fraser Basin Council and today serves as executive director for the Invasive Species Council of BC. Wallin has served as a volunteer to many boards, including BC Rural Network, Canadian Council on Invasive Species and Sustainable Forest Initiative. Wallin lives in Williams Lake.

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: http://www.bcfpb.ca