One of the decision-support team's most important responsibilities is to provide support to the chief forester when he makes and documents an AAC determination in a rationale statement. The branch also assists the attorney general's staff when the chief forester is challenged through the courts or an appeal board on AAC decisions. During this year, branch staff continued the Timber Supply Review, completing nine timber supply analyses and producing 11 public discussion papers for TSAs. The Timber Supply Review process is explained in more detail on page 4. Through research, we are better able to predict the consequences both environmental and economical of changes in the way we harvest and manage forests.
Research supports innovation in forest management.
Continued, well-focused research will improve our ability to maintain and enhance forest productivity and meet economic, biological and social sustainability goals as the province adapts to an increasingly competitive global economy. To meet the challenge, Research Program staff provide technical advice and scientific knowledge to help guide forest policy, resolve forestry issues and create a sound ecological basis for resource management. The program focuses on providing the technical information needed for sustainable use of the timber resource, as well as research on integrated resource management and improving forest practices. Highlights Applied research Sustainable use of forest resources is a key theme of the new Forest Practices Code as well as the provincial Timber Supply Review process. Forest research provides the scientific basis for sustainable use.