‘Minister for a Day’ - Mountain Pine Beetle

Forest Officer Geoff Atkinson explains the symptoms of an infested-tree to Harrison Sheremeta and Carly McDonald

Five Alberta youth took a first-hand look at challenges facing the province's forests when they participated in the second annual Sustainable Resource Development ‘Minister for a Day' program on October 17, 2006.

The five students and their parent chaperones joined Minister David Coutts, ministry staff and journalists on a field trip to witness the impacts of Mountain Pine Beetle infestations in B.C. and Alberta.

“I'm thrilled these young people were able to learn more about the pine beetle threat facing Alberta, and the importance of making the right decisions to attack these infestations,” Minister Coutts said.

The students were Graham Fegan (of Lousanna, near Red Deer), Carly McDonald (Red Deer), Harrison Sheremeta (Athabasca), Kate Giebelhaus (Edmonton) and Kellee Kryba (Edmonton). Graham played the minister's role, while Carly was deputy minister. Harrison, Kate and Kellee served as assistant deputy ministers.

Participants began the day by taking the public service oath of office in the Carillion Room of the Alberta Legislature. They then received executive briefings about each of Sustainable Resource Development's three line divisions – Forestry, Lands, and Fish and Wildlife – and learned of challenges facing each of those areas.

After taking a guided tour of the Legislature Building , the youngsters gathered in the office of Minister Coutts to review his responsibilities and the day's itinerary, before being driven to the Edmonton Municipal Airport for their flight to B.C. and Grande Prairie.

The flight provided an aerial view of the sea of dead and dying pine trees attacked by beetles in central British Columbia. After landing in Prince George, B.C. government staff and representatives of that province's Council of Forest Industries briefed participants on mountain pine beetles' actions and impacts and what is being done to limit further damage.

Moving on to Grande Prairie, the students visited a pine forest outside the city that was recently infiltrated by mountain pine beetles that originated in British Columbia. Forest industry spokespeople and local politicians explained the threat the beetle poses to the forest and community. Sustainable Resource Development staff described how to detect evidence of beetle infestation in individual trees and outlined the actions Alberta is taking to curb the threat.

On the airplane, each of the students had an opportunity for a one-on-one session with Minister Coutts to discuss issues and learn more about the factors influencing resource management decisions in Alberta .

Harrison Sheremeta, who was acting as Assistant Deputy Minister of Forestry, described the day as an “overall amazing experience.”

Beetle-killed timber covers approximately eight million hectares of pine forest in B.C., or two million more hectares than all the pine forest in Alberta, he noted. “It was overwhelming to see how much forest was destroyed from this one tiny beetle. Coming to Alberta , we saw all these healthy trees and it was crazy to think all of them could be destroyed like they did in B.C.,” Harrison said.

Three of the five students are members of Junior Forest Warden clubs in their home towns. Minister Coutts said he expected all of them to return to their communities and inform their peers about what they learned over the day.

“They're the future stewards of the resource,” he explained. “It's important that they see what we're faced with, and to understand there are reasons for the aggressive actions we're taking in Alberta to battle the beetle.”

The students agreed the day was a tremendous experience.

“That was the best day of my life,” Kate Giebelhaus said.

Her father, Dale, was equally impressed.

“What a special day … to spend a day with the minister and seeing first hand an emerging issue will be remembered for a lifetime,” he said. “Thanks for investing in our future by giving this opportunity to our children.”

Parent Karen Fegan also believed the day would leave its mark on students. “This was an excellent way for the kids to have a wonderful learning experience,” she said.

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Quick Links

Highlights

Celebrate Alberta Forest Week (May 5, 2006)

Focusing on Careers
Just Another Day at the Office... (February 21, 2006)

Public outreach is a focus for Minister Coutts (October 4, 2005)

Bison Grazing
Effective August 8, 2006, bison operators may apply to have their animals graze on agricultural public land dispositions under certain conditions. See your local Rangeland Management office for more information. A fact sheet is available here. (Fact Sheet) (August 8, 2006)