Genesis

The Forest Investment Account (FIA) is a provincial government mechanism for promoting sustainable forest management in British Columbia. It is founded upon a Vote of the Legislature, authorizing the Minister of Forests and Range to fund certain forest management activities. The FIA comprises five programs: Crown Land Use Planning Enhancement, Forest Genetics Conservation and Management, Forest Science, Land Base Investment, and Market Development.

The FIA Forest Science Program (FIA-FSP) funds forest science initiatives that address the critical knowledge needed to enable science-based sustainable management of British Columbia's forest resources. The program focuses on applied research in the areas of growth and yield of forest products and services, the function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the management required to provide for sustainable ecosystem values, as well as using forest science results more effectively through extension. Aboriginal Science research priorities are incorporated where possible.

The Chief Forester's Forest Science Advisory Council (CF-FSAC), an appointed, volunteer body, advises the Chief Forester about strategies and priorities for the FIA-FSP. The MFR Internal Advisory Group also provides advice to the Chief Forester regarding MFR research priorities.

2009-10: A Period of Transition

The FIA-Forest Science Program is moving through a period of transition in 2009-10. A reduced budget allocation has required the BC Ministry of Forests and Range (MFR) to implement significant changes to the processes used to define program priorities and administer the program. The changes have resulted in many of the tasks previously handled through external organizations to be taken in-house by the MFR.

Strategic Advice for the FIA-FSP is now provided by the Chief Forester's Forest Science Advisory Council (CF-FSAC), which has replaced the Forest Science Board (FSB) as the main advisory group for the program. The CF-FSAC is currently chaired by Deputy Chief Forester Melanie Boyce.

Research previously funded under two research streams (the Sustainability Program and the Forest Growth and Value Program) has been amalgamated under one primary research program, and annual priorities for this program are determined based on direction from the FIA-FSP strategic plan, along with input from the various advisory committees to the FIA-FSP and the Provincial Forestry Extension Provider (FORREX). Aboriginal Science research priorities are accommodated under this research program, based on input from Aboriginal CF-FSAC members.

Ultimately, the changes being implemented for 2009-10 will improve administrative efficiencies, reduce overhead, and further align research priorities with MFR internal priorities. In the meantime, we ask for your patience as we move through this period of transition.

If you have any questions, please contact the BC Ministry of Forests and Range program administrators:

• Barrie Phillips, FIA-FSP Manager (barrie.phillips@gov.bc.ca)
• Elizabeth Easton, FIA-FSP Coordinator (Elizabeth.easton@gov.bc.ca)

Vision

The MFR has established the following vision for BC's Forest and Range Resources Sector: "A diverse, well informed, sustainable, science-based forest and range resources sector existing in a thriving economy, providing maximum value to clients and minimum risk to ecosystems and forest and range resources, and contributing to the ecological, social and economic well being of British Columbia."

The FIA-FSP supports this vision through delivering credible, relevant and accessible scientific knowledge to address complex problems and emerging issues facing the forest and range resources industries in BC.

Programs

The FIA Forest Science Program reflects the information needs and priorities of those who plan and manage British Columbia’s public forest lands. It focuses on applied research and the extension of forest science results.

The FIA-FSP funds:

• short and long-term research to address issues related to growth and yield of forest products and services, the function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the management required to provide for sustainable ecosystem values and services
   
• a provincial forest extension program to deliver existing and new knowledge to practitioners
   
• infrastructure maintenance and re-measurement activities on selected long-term research installations that support short- and long-term research projects
   

Most funds are allocated to single- and multi-year projects that address the annual priorities set by the Chief Forester with input from the CF-FSAC, the MFR Internal Advisory Group, and FORREX working groups.

Progress

FIA-Forest Science Program accomplishments since its inception in November 2004