Skip to content

Bulkley Valley Research Centre celebrates 10th AGM

The Bulkley Valley Research Centre recently celebrated their 10th annual general meeting and honoured several local researchers.
38139smithersBVRC_Awards_small
Clockwise from top

Although Buckey the beaver didn’t make an appearance, that didn’t stop members of the Bulkley Valley Research Centre from celebrating their 10th annual general meeting.

Established in 2002, the goal of the original board members and executive was to foster a community of researchers dedicated to learning about the natural environment in the Bulkley Valley.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of several awards recognizing research and volunteer achievement.

Phil Burton and Dave Coates shared the Jim Pojar Award which recognizes important contributions to the scientific literature.

Burton was nominated as co-author of a book entitled, Salvage Logging and its Ecological Consequences, while Coates was nominated as co-author of a book entitled A Critique of Silviculture, Managing for Complexity.

Both are go-to books for forest ecologists around the world, BVRC President Sybille Haeussler said.

“Both have received international attention and received glowing reviews in the prestigious scientific journals,” Hauessler said.

“They really highlight the world-class research going on in our region.”

Dave Bustard received the Irving Fox Award, which recognizes life-time contributions to the sustainability of natural resources in northwestern B.C.

“He’s made huge contributions in to fisheries management in his career and tireless contributions to the community” Haeussler said.

Bustard, an aquatic biologist, was nominated especially for his long-term monitoring of regional watersheds associated with mining activity.

“Long-term monitoring is something the BVRC promotes and Dave is one of those people who’s done that,” Haeussler said.

The BVRC also recognized Bustard’s efforts regarding the National Energy Board’s joint review panel of Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

An aquatic biologist, Bustard examined the potential risks to fisheries from an oil spill from the Northern Gateway pipeline.

The BVRC also recognized the efforts of Bob Henderson in developing the Recreation Access Management Plan.