Frank Varga, a Burns Lake advocate of sustainable forest management with over 10 years of experience as a Natural Resources Professional, recently received the ‘climate change innovator' award. This award is presented by the Association of B.C. Forest Professionals (ABCFP) to members who make significant contributions in practice or policy in response to climate change.
The ABCFP says Varga has worked tirelessly to show the government that a change to the way the forest is replanted after devastation by the pine beetle or regular harvesting activities can have a huge impact.
Varga was successful in getting new species planted in the Burns Lake area and then worked on several studies with practical applications with the College of New Caledonia.
Varga also spearheaded B.C. Timber Sales’ climate change action plan to ensure the Burns Lake area is able to maintain a healthy, viable forest despite the expected effects of climate change.
The ABCFP is responsible for registering and regulating British Columbia's professional foresters and forest technologists.