International Forestry Achievement Award Presented to Dr. Wang Xiaoping

The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) announced its 2013 national award recipients at a gala banquet held at the Pepsi Centre in Corner Brook on September 17, 2013. CIF-IFC President Mr. Michel Vallée presented the International Forestry Achievement Award to Dr. Wang Xiaoping, Secretary-general of Beijing Forestry Society.

The award recognizes unique and outstanding contributions or achievements in international forestry. The award recognizes international leadership in the practice of forestry and appreciates the actions of individuals who have shared this leadership with other nations. It can also recognize the actions of an individual to bring nations together to better forestry practices globally. It encourages excellence and cooperation in international forestry.

“Dr. Wang Xiaoping of Beijing, China, is highly deserving of this honour”, Mr. Michel Valléesaid. His influence is global and indeed he has visited most forested regions of the world, building bridges, pushing the latest frontiers and yet always respectful of the differences among us, whether cultural, political or economic. The activities in which he is involved range from global to local; such as directing major international projects, advocacy in China on ‘green carbon’, to his own special strain of Chrysanthemum tea grown in a Beijing community garden. Most recently he has promoted the publication of Chinese forest science in The Forestry Chronicle, working with our Institute in a partnership that has already expanded in scope to include international exchange among professionals, and the potential development of demonstration forests in the Asia Pacific Region.

The Canadian Institute of Forestry was established in 1908 and currently has over 2300 members. The Institute is the national voice of forest practitioners, promoting science based sustainable forest management, public awareness of interdisciplinary forestry, and a better understanding of good forest stewardship.

In early November, 2011, Â CIF/IFC had a dialogue with Beijing Forestry Society. The discussions were productive, allowing for the development and signing of a Letter of Intent focusing on collaboration and cooperation through more effective international knowledge exchange, extension and technology transfer of forest science and research relating to climate change and forest carbon management. As the implementation of this Intent for Collaboration and a Partnership, BFS had become the corporate sustaining members of CIF/ IFC. And the two parties co-organized the4th Beijing Forest Forum.