New Knowledge and Solutions for Forest Management Conference

The New Knowledge and Solutions for Forest Management Conference was a forum where Lake Abitibi Model Forest accomplishments could be communicated and profiled . It also aimed to draw together individuals and organizations so that an increased awareness of LAMF function, activity and direction would be created. Held from January 28th to 30th, 2001 at the Senator Hotel in Timmins, the conference attracted close to 130 participants. Topics included landscape and stand level research, biodiversity implications that addressed the natural sciences, and land-use policy issues that related to social and cultural issues. Guest speakers from Quebec and British Columbia brought unique outside perspectives relating to sustainable forest management issues in their own regions, while the Canadian Forest Service and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources contributed the local perspective. The range of ideas presented by stakeholder representatives that included First Nations, academia, the private sector and the public sector, made it clear to all participants that these types of conferences are of great importance.

The Forest Ecosystem Research and Information Systems (FERIS) Committee of the LAMF used the conference as a platform for the presentation of its planned long-term research projects, as well as to present the most up to date results of current and existing projects. The Socio-economic Program Committee (SEPC) of LAMF was also active in showing the diversity of values necessary in determining the sustainability of forest management practices.

The New Knowledge and Solutions for Forest Management Conference was an excellent opportunity for promotion of, and input to the Lake Abitibi Model Forest program. The accomplishments of the LAMF were communicated to a large and diverse audience. The event also brought together key individuals and organizations, increasing their awareness of the LAMF’s mandate, activities, and direction, as well as providing these knowledgeable individuals with an opportunity to have input into the LAMF’s overall program. Partners in the development and delivery of the conference included the LAMF Public Awareness and Knowledge Transfer Committee, the SEPC Committee, the FERIS Committee, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Abitibi Consolidated Company of Canada, the Canadian Forest Service, the Canadian Model Forest Network, the Town of Cochrane, the Town of Iroquois Falls, FedNor, and the Moose Band Development Corporation.