Backgrounder - A Network of Centres of Excellence is changing how forest science is done across the country
Sustainable Forest Management Network New Projects
(Universities West to East)

In addition to the $1.2 million investment in Quebec researchers' continuing projects over the next three years, here are examples of the new projects supported thanks to the Government of Canada's $3.3 million investment. All the projects were approved following strict peer review. A complete list of funded projects can be found on the Sustainable Forest Management Network Web site, www.sfmnetwork.ca.

1. Dr. Jeremy Rayner, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, British Columbia leads a regional research team to promote policies that better integrate different uses and values from Canada's forests in British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. His project is receiving significant support from Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service, the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, and forward-thinking forest companies including Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., and Weyerhaeuser Company.
   
   Dr. Rayner will be supported by Dr. Keith Brownsey, Policy Studies, Mount Royal College; Dr. Michael Howlett, Political Science, Simon Fraser University; Dr. Darcy Mitchell, Centre for Non-Timber Resources, Royal Roads University; and Professor Chris Tollefson, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria.
   
   
2. Dr. John Innes, Professor and FRBC Chair of Forest Management, University of British Columbia leads a regional research team to find a better way to understand and manage cumulative development impacts on Treaty 8 lands. His project is receiving significant support from the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Alberta, Tembec Inc., and the Little Red River Cree Nation in Alberta.
   
   Dr. Innes will be supported by Drs. John Nelson and Ron Trosper, University of British Columbia; Dr. James Frideres and Dr. Monique Ross, University of Calgary; and Dr. Brenda Parlee, University of Alberta, along with eight other research collaborators.
   
   
3. Dr. Thomas Maness, Associate Professor, Faculty of Forest Resources Management and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia will lead an inter-provincial research team to develop a new way to effectively measure the public's forest preferences. His project is receiving significant support from Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service, and Canadian Forest Products Ltd.
   
   Dr. Maness will be supported by Drs. Robert Kozak, Tim McDaniels, and Stephen Sheppard, University of British Columbia; and by Dr. Erin Bayne, University of Alberta.
   
   
4. Dr. Fangliang He, Canada Research Chair in Biodiversity and Landscape Modelling, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta will lead a national research team to better safeguard the forest environment for future generations. His project is receiving significant support from Natural Resources Canada - the Canadian Forest Service, the Government of Alberta, and forward-thinking forest companies including Ainsworth Lumber Company Limited, Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., and Manning Diversified Forest Products Ltd.
   
   He will be supported by Dr. Brian McGill, McGill University; Drs. John Spence and Felix Sperling, University of Alberta; Dr. Tim Work, Université du Québec à Montréal; and Dr. Charmaine Dean, Simon Fraser University, along with four other research collaborators.
   
   
5. Dr. Han Chen, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Forestry and Forest Environment, Lakehead University will lead a national research team to better predict forest productivity and timber supply. His project is receiving significant support from the governments of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, as well as forward-thinking forest industries including Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Bowater Inc., Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., and Tembec Inc. The project is also supported by the Forest Ecosystem Science Cooperative and the Lake Abitibi Model Forest.
   
   Dr. Chen will be supported by Dr. Norm Kenkel, University of Manitoba; Drs. Alain Leduc and Dan Kneeshaw, Université du Québec à Montréal; and Dr. Yves Bergeron, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, along with six other research collaborators.
   
   
6. Dr. Shashi Kant, Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto will lead an international research team to develop a global competitiveness index for Canada's forest industry His project is receiving significant support from Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service, the governments of Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon, and forward-thinking forestry companies including Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Bowater Inc., Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Tembec Inc., and Weyerhaeuser Company. The Moose Cree First Nation and the Lake Abitibi Model Forest are also supporting the project.
   
   Dr. Kant will be supported by Dr. Susanna Laaksonen-Craig, University of Toronto; Dr. Van Lantz, University of New Brunswick; and Dr. Cornelis van Kooten, University of Victoria, as well as five other research collaborators – one in China, one in Brazil, one in Finland, and two in Canada.
   
   
7. Dr. Jim Buttle, Professor, Department of Geography, Trent University will lead a national research team to protect Canada's valuable water resources from possible forest operations impacts. His project is receiving significant support from the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario, Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service, and forward-thinking forest industries including Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., and Tembec Inc. The project is also supported by Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Moose Cree First Nation.
   
   Dr. Buttle will be supported by the Canadian Forest Service (in the national database creation) and by Drs. Fred Beall and Irena Creed, University of Western Ontario; Drs. Kevin Devito, Carl Mendoza and Uldis Silins, University of Alberta; Dr. Dan Moore, University of British Columbia; Dr. André Plamondon, Université Laval; and Dr. Paul Sibley, University of Guelph.
   
   
8. Dr. Paul Arp, Professor, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick will lead a national research team to improve timing and cost effectiveness of logging operations. His project is receiving significant support from the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario, as well as forward-thinking forest industries including Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Bowater Inc., Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., J.D. Irving Limited, and Tembec Inc., as well as Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Kamloops Indian Band, the Little Red River Cree First Nation and the Moose Cree First Nation.
   
   Dr. Arp will be supported by Dr. Jim Buttle, Trent University; Dr. Irena Creed, University of Western Ontario; Dr. Kevin DeVito, University of Alberta; Dr. Markus Weiler, University of British Columbia; Dr. Paul Sibley, University of Guelph; and Dr. Ronald Trosper, University of British Columbia.