Event explores state of forests.

Lively debate and dialogue about changing "climates" of the North American boreal forest will flourish in the small northern town of Cochrane on Oct. 1,2006.

Resource managers, scientists, government officials, resource-based industry, consultants, and anyone else interested in the dynamic nature of the North American boreal forest will meet for the four-day Boreal Conference 2006.

Sponsored by the Lake Abitibi Model Forest and the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF), the conference will be held in conjunction with the CIF Annual General Meeting. As well, a host of events are planned with keynote speakers and informed panel-lists from across Canada sharing their insights about the changing climates affecting resource management.

Four main themes will be addressed:

* Climate change as a driver of change;

* Disturbance and successional dynamics;

* Globalization and community sustain-ability; and

* Balancing protection and use.

For each theme, sessions integrate environmental, economic, and social climates. Knowledge, application and policy are also weaved into the themes.

Wally Bidwell, Lake Abitibi Model Forest's projects and communications co-ordinator, says they tried to get a balance of speakers to generate good dialogue. Each program has a keynote speaker followed by three panellists to elicit healthy debate. In an attempt to engage local communities (Cochrane, Iroquois Falls), some of the speakers will be sharing their knowledge with public talks during the evening hours.

Some keynote and guest speakers are: Dr. David Pearson, Laurentian University professor of Earth Sciences; David Philips, Environment Canada's senior climatologist; Garry Merkel, consultant for Ktunaxa Nation, B.C.; Dr. Yves Bergeron, chaire industrielle CRSNG-UQAT-UQAM en amenagement forestier durable Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Que., and many more.

"We're hoping people will take home a better understanding of the whole climate that is involved," he says, which is more than the weather. It is globalization, community sustainability, the way "we" do forestry, harvesting practices, the public's expectations, and balance and protection.

Bidwell expects between 300 and 350 people will attend. The registration fee is $500, which includes Sunday night plus the three days conference, most of the meals and the return trip up to Moosonee. Accommodation and the two post-conference field tours are extra.

Since the theme is all about the boreal forest, it made sense to bring it to a resource dependent community. Not only does Cochrane have the capacity to accommodate up to 400 people, but the new Tim Horton's Event Centre has ample space to host the conference. Tour packages of Cochrane's unique Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village have been arranged. As well, the conference will continue on the Polar Express as it travels up to Moosonee through northeastern Ontario's pristine wilderness.

To register, contact Wally Bidwell at 705-272-7811 or Roxanne Comeau at 613-234-2242.

By ADELLE LARMOUR

Northern Ontario Business