The B.C. Deputy Minister of Forests established the Forest Science Board (FSB) in 2003 to provide advice on strategies and priorities for the Forest Investment Account Forest Science Program (FIA-FSP). Investments made through the FIA-FSP are intended to contribute to the government's goal of a leading edge forest industry that is globally recognized for its productivity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable forest management practices.
 

Services: Cortex served as the Forest Science Board executive secretariat from May 2004 through March 2009. Our support included strategic and business planning for the FIA-Forest Science Program; analysis to support the establishment of annual research priorities; meeting facilitation and support to the Board and its committees; and program-level communications, including design and development of the FIA-FSP website, display, brochure, reports, and articles.

Outcomes: Cortex helped to establish the FIA-Forest Science Program as a robust and transparent mechanism for annually allocating approximately $14 million to applied research in support of sustainable forest management in British Columbia. We documented the accomplishments of the Forest Science Board, relative to its mandate, and highlighted the success of the program in achieving its goals and leveraging significant cash and in-kind support from other agencies and organizations with common interests.