BC produces a broad array of forest products – from dimensional lumber and pulp and paper to a wide variety of value-added products including cross laminated mass timber, glulam and veneer. Whether used in affordable housing, commercial buildings or recyclable packaging, these carbon-storing products – are made from our renewable forest resources.

Forest and sawmill residue such as bark, sawdust, and wood chips can be converted into an energy source that can power mills, ensuring that no part of the tree goes to waste and lowering the industry’s carbon emissions. While there has been a focus on energy production in recent years, it is now recognized that bioenergy is just one of many opportunities that exist to create a more diverse bio-economy in BC by using wood in innovative ways.

COFI’s Forest Education Program supports students from grades 5-12 across British Columbia. The program provides current, balanced and factual information for educators and students about BC’s rich, world-class forest resources and the educational and career opportunities that are available in the forest industry.

COFI’s Forest Education Program offers virtual and in-classroom presentations at local schools, hands-on workshops, multi-day orientations, and teaching resources for teachers to use in the classroom. For more information, contact our Forest Education Manager, Jim Costley at forest.education@cofi.org.

Since 2007, COFI has offered scholarships intended to encourage the next generation of leaders to choose a professional, technical, or trades career in the forest sector. Thirteen $2,000 scholarships are offered each year to students planning to take post-secondary studies leading to a career in the forest sector, including three COFI Indigenous Forestry Scholarships in partnership with New Relationship Trust Foundation.