Our Network of Forest Professionals (NFPs), formerly the Professional Foresters' Networks, consists of members and non-members who have formed groups in communities around British Columbia. Their goals are to raise awareness about the profession of forestry, promote good forest stewardship and provide networking opportunities for resource professionals.

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National Forest Week Battle of the NFPs
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National Forest Week Battle of the Network Forest Professionals
Each year during National Forest Week the Networks of Forest Professionals (NFPs) hold forestry activities in their areas. They compete with each other to see who can hold the best and most exciting events. We are pleased to announce that the North Island NFP in Port McNeill won the 2011 Battle of the NFPs. They were able to wrest the title from last year's winner ‒ the East Kootenay NFP in Cranbrook. Prior to last year, the North Island NFP won the battle for three years in a row. The Fort St. James NFP also receives an honourable mention.

Through their tireless work, the North Island NFP was able to reach approximately 800 elementary, middle school and high school students from 13 schools within their communities by giving presentations and field tours and arranging barbecues using approximately 50 volunteers.

You can read more about the National Forest Week activities below and you can also check out photos from the events on the ABCFP's Facebook page.

From North Island NFP – Winners of the 2011 Battle of the Network Forest Professionals
A big thank you to all those who helped out with this year's National Forest Week activities. It was another great showing of collaboration between Western Forest Products, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Strategic Forest Management, Regional District of Mount Waddington, and Mill & Timber.

This year, 13 North Island schools (public, First Nations and private) eagerly participated in our traditional NFW activities.

Over 60 Grade 10 students received "Careers in Forestry" presentations, which included the opportunity to discuss forestry with a couple of passionate forest professionals, a showing of the video "This Is My Office," and handouts/brochures. As part of their visit, the presenters were happy to discover that several of the students were contemplating a career in the forest sector. Receiving such a positive response, the presenters have offered to return next term, and visit the remaining Grade 10 students.

Over 500 primary-level students received "Forests for People" presentations, which included a visit from Smokey Bear and handouts, including a Smokey Bear pencil/bookmark and entry form into the ABCFP's NFW Art Contest. As usual, all of the students were thrilled to spend some time with Smokey and hugs and smiles were abundant.

Over 100 intermediate-level students participated in a full-day forestry tour and another 100 students participated in another tour on October 13th. The forest tour included a hike along the Beaver Lake Trail, an opportunity to plant trees, a mini-logger's sports competition and a salmon BBQ lunch. With this year's tours, home-schooled children also participated and the response from these families was very positive.

In addition to the above, this year's NFW activities also included a couple of new events organized by Western Forest Products and Mill & Timber. Western Forest Products staff treated Woss students to their own forest tour, as well as the regular primary presentation and visit from Smokey Bear. This was especially nice for the Woss students, as in previous years, the older students had to travel an additional 45 minutes each way, to attend the regular forest tours. Mill & Timber treated Grade 7 students from the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw school to a boat tour of their forestry operations in Seymour Inlet.

From East Kootenay NFP – Runner Up for the 2011 Battle of the Network Forest Professionals
Forest and range professions produced a newspaper supplement that was sent out to households in the Cranbrook area in the middle of NFW. The supplement featured articles bringing people up to date with forestry issues in the East Kootenay area, was distributed to 25,000 people and was well received.

The Cranbrook Community Forest public work project was held on the last day of NFW. The community interpretive forest is 2000 ha in size and has been the focus of a number of successful work projects to reduce stocking of Douglas-fir trees near the meadows and trails. About 50 people attended and worked hard to restore open forest condition. One hectare of forest was spaced, the debris chipped and hauled away for hiking trail surfacing material. A nice barbecue lunch was enjoyed.

From Fort St. James NFP – Runner Up for the 2011 Battle of the Network Forest Professionals
Our Fort St. James annual Grade 5 hike to Bone Lake for National Forest Week was held on October 5th. Over 50 students participated in this full day hike. Volunteers from the Fort St. James Forest District, BC Timber Sales Stuart Nechako Business Area Fort St. James Field Team, and local forest industry employees and consultants worked together to make the day fun and interesting. In addition to the hike that showcased various forest ecosystems, students also enjoyed a barbecue lunch.

Past Battle Winners

2010	East Kootenay
2009	North Island
2008	North Island
2007	no battle
2006	North Island
2005	Truce
2004	no battle
2003	Cranbrook / Elk Valley
2002	Williams Lake
2001	Vanderhoof
2000	Bella Coola
1999	North Island
1998	100 Mile House

Join Your Local Network of Forest Professionals
Local NFP groups provide an opportunity to connect with peers, discuss forestry issues and become involved in the community and build relationships with the public, schools, government, politicians, media and other organizations.

How do I join?
Contact the chair in your area to inquire about upcoming meetings and events.

Burns Lake Monika Eriksen, RPF E-mail:	Port Alberni Emma Neill, RPF E-mail:
Dawson Creek Elizabeth Hunt, RPF E -mail:	Port McNeill Miles Trevor, RPF E-mail:
Fort Steel Denis Petryshen, RPF E-mail:	Quesnel Kim Scott, RPF E-mail:
Fort St. James Mark Hayter, RPF E-mail:	Skeena Mike Folkema, RPF Email:
Fort St. John Lance Ollenberger, RPF E-mail:	Sunshine Coast Warren Hansen, RPF E-mail:
McBride Greg Gibson, RPF E-mail:	Ucluelet Derek Drake, RPF E-mail:
Mission Lauchlan Glen, RPF E-mail:	Vanderhoof James Eadie, RPF E-mail:
Nakusp Cam Leitch, RPF E-mail:	Village of Queen Charlotte Sean Muise, RPF E-mail:
Nanoose Bay Shawn Flynn, RPF E-mail:	West Kootenay (between Nelson and Castlegar) Tara DeCourcy, RPF E-mail:
	Williams Lake Jeff Alexander, RPF E-mail:

If you can't find a chair in your comunity and you are interested in starting your own NFP, contact:
Brian Robinson, RPF
Director, Professional Development and Member Relations
E-mail:

More Information
Contact Brian Robinson, RPF ( ) for more information on ABCFP Networks of Forest Professionals.