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Vancouver, BC – The Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual scholarships to students from the B.C. interior who have demonstrated academic success and an interest in pursuing a career in forestry.

“COFI is pleased to encourage and support the next generation of forestry leaders in the province to pursue areas of study such as natural resources, science and environmental technology,” said Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO of COFI. “Forestry has long been the cornerstone of the provincial economy. Through sustainable forest practices and new technologies, the industry continues to be one of the most significant economic drivers in the province today, creating approximately 145,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout BC.”

The 2016 scholarship recipients are:
• Bradley Wickson, Smithers
• Kaylee Walstrom, Fort. St. James
• Kent Fehr, Vanderhoof
• Luke Friesen, Fraser Lake
• Philip Gust, Smithers
• Connor Hawes, Grand Forks
• James Fairhurst, Sparwood
• Mark Schmaltz, Vernon
• Micah May, Nelson
• Teagan Ligtenberg, Kamloops

COFI annually awards ten entrance scholarships of $1,000 each. Students eligible to apply must be planning to attend a post-secondary educational institution in the interior of BC, enrolling in professional, technical or trades training leading to a career in the forest sector.

The Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is the voice of the BC interior forest industry. COFI members vary in size and produce lumber, pulp and paper, panels and engineered wood products at more than 60 facilities across the interior. All share a commitment to a future based on employee safety, sustainable forestry and manufacturing practices, and innovative product development.
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For more information, or photos of the scholarship winners, please contact:
Mina Laudan
778.990.0701