Natural Resources
April 11, 2012
Using Innovation to Build a Stronger Forestry
With over $736,000 in Provincial Government support, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, is working with local and national partners to develop new inventory tools to model and map forest properties in Newfoundland and Labrador in a project valued at $2.5 million.
“Researchers at the Grenfell Campus are developing innovative solutions to create a more efficient, sustainable, and enhanced forestry sector,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation (RDC). “The data generated will help formulate better forestry management practices to ensure the resource is optimally used. Better maintenance and inventory controls will additionally lead to a more efficient, stronger and competitive forestry sector in the province.”
Using light detection and ranging technologies and advanced computer models, researchers will be able to measure the structure of tree stands and the quality of tree fibre. This will allow researchers to map and model fibre properties based on specific attributes including height, volume, species and biomass. The information gathered will create the basis of more efficient forest management strategies to maximize the value of the resource.
“My department is pleased to be a partner in this exciting project,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “We fully support this research and the goal to develop state-of-the-art inventory tools to strengthen both forest operations and strategic forest management planning in this province.”
In addition to the direct benefits to the forestry sector, this project will enhance the research capabilities and capacity at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, leading to further educational and employment opportunities in the region.
“I am very impressed with the leadership demonstrated by Grenfell Campus in advancing research and development especially in the forestry sector,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “I am also very pleased with the ongoing financial support from the various departments and agencies to develop this initiative. The entire province and indeed the country will benefit from these inventory tools that will enhance a sustainable forestry management strategy.”
Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, offers programs in fine arts, liberal arts, and science education. Increasingly the institution is focusing its program development in areas such as environmental policy development and sustainable resource management.
"The successful collaboration between public and private institutions to develop these forestry management tools demonstrates how important innovation is for the long-term growth of the forestry industry," said Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of RDC. "Building research and development capacity in the natural resources sector remains a key priority for RDC, as it is for the Newfoundland and Labrador economy."
Other partners in the project include the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service, the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, the University of Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia Community College, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and FPInnovations.
“This is a strong example of the kind of collaboration in which Grenfell Campus is engaged,” said Dr. Wade Bowers, Interim Director, Environmental Policy Institute and Professor, Environmental Science and Sustainable Resource Management, Grenfell Campus Memorial University of Newfoundland. “Increased knowledge about wood fibre will place Canada’s forest sector at a significant advantage by improving current management processes as well as providing opportunities for novel product development.”
The Department of Natural Resources, through the Centre for Forest Science and Innovation, is contributing $54,000 over three years to this project. In addition to the cash funding, the department will contribute in-kind contributions valued at $442,000 over a three-year period. In total, over three years, the Department of Natural Resources will contribute $496,000. The Research & Development Corporation is contributing $180,000 while the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development is providing $60,000.
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Media contacts:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
| Tess Burke Communications Government Members Office 709-729-3551 tessburke@gov.nl.ca |
Jeff Green Manager, Marketing & Communications Research & Development Corporation 709-758-0973, 691-8892 jeffsgreen@researchnl.com |
| Pamela Gill Communications Co-ordinator Grenfell Campus, Memorial University 709-637-6200 ext. 6134 pgill@grenfell.mun.ca |
2012 04 11 11:20 a.m.