The Centre for Non-Timber Resources would like to inform you that we will be unable to publish a hard copy of the 2010/2011 Buy BCwild Directory due to budget constraints.
We are proud of the Directory and what it has achieved. The 2009/2010 edition was an excellent quality publication, with over 200 listings and a nice blend of interesting and informative content. Our recent survey of listees indicated a high level of appreciation for the directory. Unfortunately we are unable to continue to subsidize the production of the Directory. CNTR is first and foremost a research centre and we rely on external funding for most of our work, including activities in the ‘Buy BCwild Initiative’. In the current economic climate, and without sufficient funding support to cover a new edition, we have had to make the difficult decision to discontinue publication for 2010/2011.
Having a directory of natural products businesses is valuable in many ways. As we announced last year, the idea has been copied in other areas, a sure sign of a good idea. To maintain the momentum, we are working to develop an online, searchable version of the Buy BCwild Directory. This could create new opportunities, including higher listee involvement, increased exposure for listees and their businesses, and better sponsorship possibilities. There are also ideas to produce rack cards or pamphlets to promote the online Directory. The ideas are still developing, but we see good potential in this prospect. We will be in touch with all of you in the coming weeks to up-date you on the development of the on-line directory.
Thank you to the listees for submitting renewal forms and recipes, and for your support of our efforts. I would also like to thank our sponsors and supporters over the years, among them Vancity, the Ministry of Forests and Range, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and the Agroforestry Initiative. Special thanks are due to Thrifty Foods for distributing the directory through their stores, Page One Publishing, who helped us lift the Directory to a new level last year, and to the staff of CNTR who have worked with tireless dedication to develop and build the directory. The Buy BCwild Directory was created to provide a free resource to consumers and showcase the goods and services of BC’s non-timber forest product sector. We look forward to working with you to find new, creative ways to meet those objectives.
Sincerely,
Brian Belcher
Director, Centre for Non-Timber Resources
Royal Roads University
