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Pine beetle impact presentation coming up

The effects of the most recent mountain pine beetle epidemic are all too familiar to residents of B.C.

The effects of the most recent mountain pine beetle epidemic are all too familiar to residents of B.C.

On Wednesday, Feb. 6 starting at 7:30 p.m. the Scout Island Nature House will host a presentation on the impact of the pine beetle epidemic by Wyatt Klopp a masters student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, who is currently enrolled in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies graduate program at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Klopp worked as a teacher/naturalist at Scout Island Nature Centre in the summers of 2008 and 2009.

“We’re excited to hear this presentation from Wyatt Klopp, a former summer staffer at Scout Island,” says Jenny Noble, Scout Island Nature Centre co-ordinator. “He is doing some important graduate work on potential energy from beetle-killed pine, and he’s coming to tell us about it.”

She says the unprecedented magnitude and severity of the attack will continue to impact society, the economy and the environment for decades to come. While many recall the sea of red-staged pine stands and the vulnerability of the forest industry, this presentation will focus on the grey-staged pine stands, their impact on climate change and efforts to strengthen the bioeconomy.