Centred on the theme Partners in Sustainability the conference featured a series of panels addressing the challenges facing industry, government, and communities in light of the mountain pine beetle, low market prices and global competition. Premier Gordon Campbell was Thursday's keynote speaker at the community recognition luncheon. He spoke of the importance of the forest sector to the Province and the opportunities and challenges presented by changing world. He also announced $11.5 million of provincial funding for marketing initiatives to maintain British Columbia's position as a world leader in forest product exports, including $1.59 million in research and market development projects for lodgepole pine attacked by the mountain pine beetle.

Thursday evening featured the always popular Networking Reception - Mardi Gras style. Delegates enjoyed an evening of networking combined with fine food and spirits, indulging in a vast assortment of cuisine in a New Orleans setting.

Friday morning Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests & Range gave the audience his strategy for tackling forest sector challenges with communities and the industry. The convention closed on Friday with keynote luncheon speaker, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources Canada and COFI's announcement of 10 education scholarships for students attending interior institutions.

With the largest exhibitor showing ever - over 60 in total, there were plenty of opportunities for networking with suppliers at their booths, fellow industry associates at coffee breaks, and throughout the luncheon and hospitality hour.

Copies of keynote and panel speaker presentations will be posted on our website www.cofi.org as they become available.

Don't miss out on next year's convention on April 17th and 18th, 2008 in Kelowna and pencil in the 2009 dates of April 2nd and 3rd, when the convention returns to Prince George. Watch for updates on our website.

For more information contact Jan Ball at COFI Northern Operations (250) 564-5136 e-mail: ball@cofi.org.

	L-R: Rob Kerr, parent; Rosalie Nichiporuk, Trustee; Lynn Maksymchak, NVSS principal; Katie Kerr, top Forestry student; Premier Gordon Campbell; John Rustad, MLA, Chris Mushumanski, Forestry teacher and Ray Lemoigne, SD 91 Superintendent designate

While Ecology is only one many aspects taught using the woodlot as a learning lab, the woodlot has provided the students with an opportunity to learn about stream and wetland ecology; winter survival, wildlife management; silviculture; and the effects of the mountain pine beetle. Secondary school educators have also been able to take advantage of the woodlot for professional development opportunities in the areas of wildlife and wildlife trees; soil types in the central interior; the roles of mixed forests; and wetland ecology.

Recently the mountain pine beetle has ravaged the woodlot, but this infestation has been used to further education opportunities. The school has partnered with UNBC and SFU to investigate the ecological impacts pine beetle infested forest have on snow falls on the forest floor and possible causes of burls on aspen trees.

The Nechako Woodlot has provided over 1500 hours in hands-on labs, working with local scientists and foresters in the past year, many of them from COFI member mills. "The program we have is a very successful collaboration of teachers, forestry professionals, COFI mills and the community at large," notes Chris Mushumanski, woodlot manager and Forestry teacher. "A special thanks to COFI and its Forest Education Program for your continued support. We could not have the outstanding program we have without all of the support and collaboration."