PREPARING FOREST, RANGE RESOURCES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

VICTORIA – The Chief Forester has released a report, “Preparing for Climate Change: Adapting to Impacts on British Columbia’s Forest and Range Resources,” for public review and comment.

Climate change could increase forest and range productivity in certain areas of the province. It may also result in insect and disease outbreaks, forest-damaging events such as ice storms, floods and droughts, a shorter winter logging season and a longer fire season. It also has implications for rangelands, including wildlife habitat and the spread of invasive plants.

The report recommends 13 short-term actions the Ministry of Forests and Range could take in response to the opportunities and risks associated with climate change.

These actions include increasing knowledge and awareness of climate change through research and extension, examining reforestation policies to identify species and seed sources adapted to future climate projections, and providing leadership to the forest and range sectors in preparing for the impacts of climate change.

The report is available online at [www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/Climate_Change/]. Comments on the report and its recommendations will be accepted until July 31, 2006.

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Reference #: 2006FOR0045-000635
Date released: May 23, 2006
Region: Province Wide
Category: General

Contact(s):

Max Cleeveley
Communications Director
Ministry of Forests and Range
250 387-8486

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