Forestry Insiders Turn to Students for New Ideas

(May 5, 2009 --Thunder Bay, ON)
Student research will be the focus of the Eastern Section of the Canadian Forest Products Society's Annual General Meeting and Conference, taking place Wednesday, May 6, 2009. The conference is hosted at Lakehead University, with several sites across eastern Canada where those interested may attend by videoconference.

What is the future of Canada's forest products industry? This is the central question of the conference, where industry insiders turn to technology leaders and the vision of the next generation for answers. Novel university programs, breakthrough innovations and research are key in influencing the next life of the forest products industry.Students from many universities will present, including Lakehead University, Université Laval , University of Toronto, University of New Brunswick , Université du Quebec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Université du Quebec à Chicoutimi ,Université du Sherbrooke.

Dr. Mat Leitch, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment at Lakehead University, and one of the conference organizers, explains, "Connecting with other institutions and with industry players is vital to the conversation about how the forest industry can get back on its feet. The videoconference format is a cost-effective way for everyone to connect, as well as being a more environmentally friendly alternative to travel." According to Leitch, changes of this kind are an example of the kinds of fundamental changes and cost-saving measures that must be implemented in the forest industry in order to achieve sustainability.

"The forest industry is experiencing a downturn, but this kind of thing does not take place in a vacuum," says Leitch. "It means that we have to take stock of what is happening, in the broader context, in forest management, and look at what we can do better, how we can leverage technological innovations, and find solutions that are appropriate to the issues of this era, which differ significantly from those of the past. The Canadian Forest Products Society's Annual General Meeting and Conference is about doing just that."

The one-day conference is free, and those interested may still register by contacting Mat Leitch at 343-8659 or mathew.leitch@lakeheadu.ca.


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Media: Dr. Mat Leitch is available for media interviews. For more information contact Lisa Pelot, Communications Officer, at 343-8177, or commun@lakeheadu.ca

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,900 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca