Malaspina Forestry students awarded $1,000 scholarships

The future of forestry is looking bright because of Malaspina University-College students like Stefan Borge, Ross Butt, Andrea Jancicka, Bharat Adhikari, Chris Sponken and Phillip Morrison.

The six hard-working Forestry students each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Truck Loggers Association for their academic and professional achievements.

Malaspina University-College, British Columbia Institute of Technology, and the University of British Columbia students were presented the scholarships and certificates at the 64th Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention in Vancouver by the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, earlier this month.

“We are committed to supporting and promoting forest education in local communities, schools, colleges and universities,” said Truck Logger Association Executive Director Dave Lewis. “Forestry has been and will continue to be the backbone of the BC economy and one of the biggest employers in the province.  Supporting forest education will ensure that the coast forest sector has access to the highly skilled workforce it requires, while at the same time providing high paying and challenging jobs for British Columbians.”

Malaspina Forestry professor and department chair, Paul Lucas, proudly attended the event. He said Malaspina Forestry grads are in high demand.

“There are currently more job openings than students, making for good employment prospects and above-average wages,” said Lucas.

The Malaspina Forestry Program is an accredited program, so students are eligible for membership in the Association of BC Forest Professionals. As Registered Forest Technicians, grads work on a variety of projects including forest road locations, timber harvesting boundaries, riparian buffers, stream classification and wildlife tree retention. Graduates can also take advantage of bridging agreements the Forestry department has with University of British Columbia and University of Northern British Columbia forestry departments, where they can complete a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree.

The Truck Loggers Association represents BC’s independent coastal forest industry, which includes more than 500 member companies operating in the coastal regions of BC.

For more information about Malaspina’s Forestry program go to www.viu.ca/forestry.