Manitoba's model forest

July 18, I was in Pine Falls talking with Bev Dube about Manitoba's model forest. There are eleven model forests across Canada. The forest program based in Pine Falls and covering part of the forest on the east side of Lake Winnipeg is one of these.

Each model forest program brings together various stakeholders to share their knowledge and resources and to undertake research in relation to forest management and its impact. Manitoba's model forest program is enhancing our understanding of the boreal forest and the sustainable management of the forest.

This year, there is a significant change in that the national model forest program is being opened up and is being made more competitive. No longer will Manitoba be guaranteed a model forest program, and no longer will the model forest program based in Pine Falls be assured of national funding. This means that Bev Dube and others working on this initiative are putting in extra time to make sure their proposal for the next several years is one of the best in the country. They will also need enhanced provincial support in order to be fully competitive with model forest programs in other provinces.