2009 NTFR Forum

On November 6, 2009 the Centre for Non-Timber Resources at Royal Roads University proudly hosted a one-day forum on Non-Timber Forest Resources. The Forum, entitled Non-Timber Forest Resources: Linking Research, Policy and Economic Opportunities, was held at the stunning Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, BC. The Forum attracted more than 90 participants from First Nations, all levels of government, private and band-owned businesses, community development specialists, resource managers, researchers and NGOs. We were delighted to have strong representation from the Canadian Model Forest Network and the Forest Communities Program from across Canada, from the Clayoquot Forest Communities here in BC to the Model Forest of Newfoundland & Labrador. The 15 speakers in the forum included business owners who shared practical experience, researchers and government representatives who discussed ecology and management, consumer perceptions, and policy, and representatives of a range of innovative development and support initiatives.

Proceedings from the conference are now available.

A full copy of the NTFR Forum Program is available.

*Thursday, November 5^th*
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Newcastle Island Lobby	Shop the Wild Showcase Join us for a Shop the Wild market and explore the wild and wonderful products available through the non-timber forest resource sector.
*Friday, November 6^th*
7:45 – 8:45 Newcastle Island Lobby	Forum Registration and Morning Reception
9:00 – 9:15 Mt. Benson Ballroom	Welcome and Opening Remarks Geraldine Manson, Snuneymuxw First Nation Dr. Brian Belcher, Director, Centre for Non-Timber Resources
9:15 – 10:30 Mt. Benson Ballroom	Opening Plenary Session Setting the Stage: Linking Research, Policy, and Economic Opportunities Wendy Cocksedge, Centre for Non-Timber Resources, BC Jonathon Forbes, Forbes Wild Foods, ON Sinclair Tedder, Ministry of Forests & Range, BC
10:30 – 11:00	Nutritional Break
11:00-12:00	Concurrent Dialogue Session One
	Building the Sector: The Value of Working Together Gerald Le Gal, Gourmet Sauvage, QC and Jonathon Forbes, Forbes Wild Foods, ON Lantzville Room	NTFPs and Community Development: The Gaspésie Story Claude-André Léveillé, Coordonnateur du développement des Ressources Naturelles Alternatives, QC Millstone River Room

12:00 – 1:00 1:00 – 2:45	Lunch
	Concurrent Dialogue Session Two
	NTFR Development: Sharing the Benefits Terry Raymond, BC *‘Non-timber forest resources and community economic development’* Eileen Davenport, BC *‘What do we mean by ‘wild’? Research on consumer perspectives’* Maxim Tardif, QC *‘The Biopterre model: A unique approach to NTFP development’* Millstone River Room	Regional Experiences with NTFR development, support, and regulation Gerry Ivanochko, SK *‘Regulation of NTFPs in Saskatchewan: Lessons Learned’* Tim Brigham, BC ‘The BuyBCwild Initiative: Supporting Sector Development’ Dave Sutherland, NS *‘NTFPs in Atlantic Canada’* Lantzville Room

2:45 – 3:00	Nutritional Break
3:00 – 4:15 Mt. Benson Ballroom	Panel Discussion Where do we go from here? Reflections on key issues in NTFR research, policy and development From their diverse perspectives, the panel will reflect on the day’s discussions and explore key issues and ideas in research, sector support, and policy. Panel Members Brian Belcher, Centre for Non-Timber Resources Gerald le Gal, Gourmet Sauvage Chief Fred Sampson, Siska Indian Band Sinclair Tedder, Ministry of Forests and Range
4:15 – 4:30	Closing Remarks