Suzuki Foundation appoints Director of Forestry and Lands

March 28, 2002 - VANCOUVER - Building on the work of researching and examining forestry issues in Canada’s temperate rainforest, the David Suzuki Foundation has appointed a director of Forestry and Lands to develop a national forestry campaign, executive director Jim Fulton said today.

“Our forestry work to date has focussed on forest policy in British Columbia and the rare temperate rainforest along the BC coast,” Mr. Fulton said.

“This vital work will continue as these important forests, which represent one-quarter of the remaining temperate rainforest on Earth, are still under threat from industrial clear-cut logging. However, Canada also faces many pressing land-use issues, particularly in the boreal forest that stretches from coast to coast, and we believe the David Suzuki Foundation can play an important role in bringing these issues to the attention of Canadians.”

The new director is Cheri Burda who has been the Suzuki Foundation’s Forestry Strategist for the past three years. Ms. Burda has a masters degree in Environmental Studies specializing in forestry policy. Before joining the Suzuki Foundation, she was a senior researcher with the Eco-research Chair of Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Victoria. Ms. Burda has also been a high school teacher.

“Our forests are now imperiled more than ever, especially given the negative impacts of global warming and climate change,” said Ms. Burda. “Fifty per cent of the world’s remaining frontier forest is boreal forest and the largest chunk is found in Canada.”

Focussing on the boreal forest is a prime conservation opportunity not only for Canada but for the ecological health of the entire planet because these forests store carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming, says Ms. Burda.

“Conservation of the boreal forest does not just involve trees, but focuses on Canada’s extensive systems of fresh-water lakes and streams and the habitat of Canadian wildlife icons like moose, Canada geese and loons,” she added.

Among Ms. Burda’s first duties will be to assemble a team of researchers to plan the most effective approach for dealing with forestry and land-use issues in Canada.

“We are certain that Cheri’s background and leadership skills will ensure the Suzuki Foundation has a dynamic forestry program that will respond to the concerns of Canadians across the country,” said Mr. Fulton.

For more information, please contact Jean Kavanagh
at 604-732-4228 ext. 229