Fires and Fishing
August 10, 2011 § Leave a Comment
There could very well be more fires burning in London, England at the moment than in BC’s forests. While hot, dry conditions in recent days have elevated fire warnings across the province, so far the number of fire starts this summer are the lowest BC has seen in a decade. Hopefully conditions will still permit campfires next wk, when my dad and brother and I head up to a chilly high altitude lake in BC’s Central Interior, for our annual trip to catch (and release) a rainbow on the fly. Looking forward!
Logging Indicators
August 9, 2011 § Leave a Comment
“Softwood lumber exports (BC) rose by nearly 80% between 2009 and 2010, while the volume of raw log exports jumped over 50% last year with more shipped to China in 2010 than in the previous 20 years combined. This follows four consecutive years where the volume has dropped – and according to the province there’s no sign of activity slowing down this year. In fact, 2011 is already exceeding the total volume of logs shipped to China last year.”
Forest Certification
August 8, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Interesting to learn only 10% of the world’s total forest area is covered by certifications, in this article from Australia. The author concludes “the complexity of the forestry issue is only partially addressed with international forestry certifications.”
Stress? What Stress?
August 4, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Somebody said that the prevailing uncertainties in financial markets can be stressful. Some lumber traders were even heard to suggest that stress is a part of creative energies needed to stay positive these days. Not surprisingly, links like this one that offer suggestions are getting lots of play these days.
Japan
August 3, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Longshoremen at ports in Washington State and Vancouver are set to load more timber and lumber onto vessels destined for Japan as the world’s third-biggest economy rebuilds from a $220 billion natural disaster.
Lots of interesting information in the full article here.
Open Skies
August 1, 2011 § Leave a Comment
BC Place Stadium here in Vancouver is entering the final weeks of a massive $565 million renovation, which includes installation of the largest cable-supported retractable roof of its kind in the world. I snapped these photos at an open house held yesterday afternoon.
Tightrope
August 1, 2011 § Leave a Comment
High-wire artist Nik Wallenda has volunteered to cross Niagara Falls between Ontario and New York on a wire the width of a nickel. The death-defying performance was an idea aimed at boosting the quiet economy of Niagara Falls. Not everyone is sold on a made-for-reality-TV event as the solution to the city’s economic problems however – especially one so dangerous. Nonetheless, city council members voted 4-1 to endorse the wire walk.
At the same time there is worry about copycats seeking to stimulate activity in unrelated areas. While balancing lumber inventory requirements could be perceived as walking a tightrope these days, as far as we know no one is threatening to cross the Fraser Canyon on a high-wire with hopes of spurring demand.
