Vancouver, BC (September 17, 2009) – The Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP), Truck Loggers Association (TLA) and the BC Forest Safety Council are holding an art competition from September 21 to October 9, 2009 to celebrate National Forest Week. The art competition is open to kids aged 4 to 12 ─ parents can submit their own kids’ artwork or teachers can enter their entire class’ work.

Kids from across the province are invited to draw a picture of what the forests in their communities mean to them. There will be three winners ─ one from each age group. Winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to Chapters and will have their pictures published in the ABCFP and TLA magazines and posted on the websites of all three organizations.

“To adults, the forests often mean jobs, community stability and maybe a place to go camping,” says Jonathan Lok, Registered Forest Technologist and president of the ABCFP. “I think the forests have a different meaning for kids. They see the magic that we adults sometimes forget exists in nature.”

Reynold Hert, CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council, hopes the contest inspires children to become more interested in BC’s forests.  “The forest industry is not only a major contributor to the provincial economy, but it’s a part of our province’s history. The Council is pleased to support the contest that gives children an opportunity to use their creativity, while learning about the importance of the forestry industry in BC.”

Pick up your pencil crayons and visit the ABCFP, TLA or BC Forest Safety Council websites to download the art competition entry form, www.abcfp.ca, www.tla.ca and www.bcforestsafe.org.

You can download the entry form by clicking here.

The Association of BC Forest Professionals, established in 1947, is the largest professional forestry association in Canada with approximately 5,400 members. The association registers and regulates professional foresters and forest technologists under authority of the provincial Foresters Act.

The TLA (Truck Loggers Association) represents over 500 independent coastal forest contractors and their suppliers in British Columbia. The TLA promotes a thriving, sustainable forest industry in BC, and fosters communication and education within resource communities, urban centres and governments.

The BC Forest Safety Council is a not-for-profit society dedicated to promoting forest health and safety. It was founded and is supported by all major forestry organizations in BC and works with forestry employers, workers, contractors and the provincial government and agencies to implement changes necessary to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries in the forest sector.

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