In the year 2000, the Canadian Forest Service celebrated its 50th
anniversary in Newfoundland. Following the terms of union between
Newfoundland and Canada in 1949, the Government of Canada established
in 1950 a forest research facility in the provincial capital of St.
John´s.
Over the last 50 years federal forestry research activities have encompassed
research in forest protection, forest resources and environment, policy,
and a myriad of related activities under former federal-provincial
agreements. Initially the service had a regional focus and through
time underwent several changes in departments and locations.
In March of 1998, the Canadian Forest
Service of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan-CFS) relocated to its new
home in Corner Brook. Located at the Forest Centre of Memorial University
- Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, it is now an integral component of
the CFS Atlantic Forest Centre. There are 22 indeterminate positions
in Corner Brook, in support of the CFS mission: "to promote the
sustainable development of Canada's Forests and the competitiveness
of the Canadian Forest Sector for the well-being of present and future
generations of Canadians,"
Researchers in Corner Brook are members of or work closely with all
five S&T networks across Canada. Moreover, all scientists work
in partnership with industry, the provincial government, academia,
forest sector groups, and the public to promote co-operative research.
Strong research capacity exists in Corner Brook in three primary areas:
forest ecology, insect and disease ecology, and landscape ecology.
Research priorities are established within the CFS, based on local,
national and international commitments. In Newfoundland, there is
substantive input and guidance from the Newfoundland Forest Research
Advisory Committee. Stakeholders established this committee in 1967
to promote input and to identify priority research issues.
Forest research in Newfoundland is enhanced by a biosystematics museum
that houses valuable Newfoundland collections. The collections, including
biological specimens of plants, insects and fungi, provide the foundation
