ASSET MAP FOR BC’S FORESTRY SECTOR GENOME BRITISH COLUMBIA Vision Genomics will revolutionize many aspects of our lives and provide solutions to humankind’s challenges. Mission Genome British Columbia leads academia, government and industry in the growth of a world-class genomics R&D cluster to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to British Columbia, Canada and beyond, through: ‒ Excellent projects and technology platforms, ‒ Innovative applications for the life sciences cluster, ‒ Strategic regional, national & international collaborations, and ‒ Proactive leadership in exploring societal impacts of genomics. Genomics is the science that aims to decipher and understand the entire genetic information of an organism (i.e. microorganisms, plants, animals and humans) encoded in DNA and corresponding complements such as RNA, proteins and metabolites. The knowledge and innovations emerging from this field are finding solutions to complex biological challenges, while at the same time raising questions of societal and economic importance. Genomics has already brought huge economic and societal gains to Canadians through better healthcare, improving food quality, safety and production and protecting our environment and natural resources. Looking ahead, genomics will be the foundation of Canada's growing bio- economy (all economic activity derived from life science-based research), which is estimated to be responsible for some 2.25 per cent of GDP, or about $38 billion, by 2017. 1 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. 3 Key assets of BC’s forest sector ................................................................................................................... 4 Forest resources ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Industry ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Science ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Opportunities for genomics to support sector productivity and sustainability ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 AN OVERVIEW OF BC’S FOREST SECTOR .......................................................................... 5 Lumber Production .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Pulp and Paper Production ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Market Based Forest Certification ................................................................................................................ 9 Innovation & Investment Landscape ................................................................................................................ 9 International partnerships ................................................................................................................................. 11 BC SECTOR ASSETS .............................................................................................................. 11 Forest Assets ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Commercial Production Assets ........................................................................................................................... 13 Industry Support .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Industry Associations ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Supplier Industry ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 Science Assets .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Research .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Education & Training .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Infrastructure Assets ............................................................................................................................................... 31 Government ................................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Appendix 1: Majors funders of Research, Development and Commercialization in the Forest sector in BC ............................................... 33 Appendix 2: Genome BC Investments in Forest Genomics ............................. 39 Appendix 3: Major forest product companies ................................................... 44 Appendix 4: Suppliers to the forest sector ................................................... 50 Appendix 5: BC Researchers and areas of expertise ................................... 59 Appendix 6: Educational institutions that provide training/skills required by the forest sector in BC ................................................................. 101 Appendix 7: Government ............................................................................................... 104 2 Genome BC Forestry Asset Map As at May 2014 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY British Columbia contains vast and diverse forests, 95% of which are publically owned. Almost 60% (55million hectares) of B.C.’s 95 million hectares is classified as forest land. Provincial forests contain a rich mix of tree species and stand ages growing on a wide range of ecosystems. Most of B.C.’s forests (83%) are dominated by conifers. Lodgepole pine, spruce, true fir, hemlock, and Douglas-fir are the most common forest types. Overall, less than 3% of B.C.’s original forest has been converted to human (non-forest) use. Currently, the annual rate of forest land conversion in the province is very low. Roughly 34 million hectares of public land is classified as rangeland and 80% of it is forested1. Forests contribute directly to the BC economy (almost 3% of provincial GDP)2 by supplying a world-class forest industry that competes across the world and practises sustainable forest management at home. In addition to provincial revenues derived from commercial use of the forest, BC’s forests provide a backdrop for a multi-billion dollar tourism industry as well as essential environmental services in terms of natural habitats, conserving water quantity and quality and the important role forests play in the culture, history and traditions of BC’s indigenous peoples. BC’s annual forest industry production represents over 30% of Canada’s annual total, provides over 55,000 direct jobs and contributes almost 3% to provincial GDP. Forest conservation, bio-diversity protection and ecosystem integrity are equally as important. Almost 15% of BC’s forests are protected by legislation and all forest operations are highly regulated and monitored to some of the highest standards of sustainable forest management in the world. The forest industry in BC is not only an integral part of the regional rural economies of many communities across the province, it also has a highly visible presence in the corporate community of Vancouver, which hosts national and international headquarters of over a dozen forest products companies, the most in Canada. Across the province, some 40% of local areas derive a substantial portion of basic income reliant on both timber and tourism. Some 8% of BC’s rural population is First Nations and over the years they have become more directly engaged in many aspects of the forest products economy1. As of January 2012 First Nations held forest tenures representing 15.1 % of the province’s allowable annual cut3. First Nations and aboriginal 1 http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/sof/2010/SOF_2010_Web.pdf 2 http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/Economy/EconomicAccounts.aspx 3 https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/Forest_Strategy_WEB.PDF 3 Genome BC Forestry Asset Map As at May 2014 peoples continue to play an increasingly significant role in the sustainable management of BC’s forests and share the commitment to both productive and sustainable forests. Key assets of BC’s forest sector Forest resources 55 million hectares of forest (larger than the country of Germany) 33% of all BC