Grand Forks, B.C.: The 2023 Association of B.C. Forest Professionals (ABCFP) conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) concluded on February 10, where the 2022 ABCFP award winners were announced at the Prince George Civic Centre.
The ABCF awards recognize Forest Professionals in B.C. who achieve remarkable impact through their forestry work and embody the association’s values.
Dan Macmaster of Grand Forks, Registered Professional Forester (RPF), was named Professional Forester of the Year. According to the ABCFP, the Professional Forester of the Year award ‘recognizes a Registered Professional Forester for outstanding, recent service to the forestry profession and for furthering the association's principles.’
“I am honoured and humbled to receive this prestigious award from the ABCFP. I am truly grateful for the support of my colleagues, and I look forward to continuing to build partnerships that promote forest stewardship practices and strengthen and support our rural communities,” said Macmaster.
Macmaster is the Forest Manager of the West Boundary Community Forest and the Osoyoos Indian Band’s forestry licences, and Fibre Manager for Vaagen Fibre Canada. He has a Master’s degree in Sustainable Forest Management from the University of British Columbia. Macmaster is active on numerous boards, including the BC First Nations Forestry Council, BC Community Forest Association, Interior Lumber Manufacturers’ Association, and the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s forestry working group.
Recently, Macmaster was invited to join the Province of B.C.’s Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council, chaired by Doug Routley, Parliamentary Secretary for Forests.
Macmaster was nominated for this award by his colleague, Peter Flett, RPF, and endorsed by fellow forestry peers who share an admiration for his work in forestry, outreach education, and community development.
“I couldn’t think of someone more deserving of this award. It was an honour to highlight the fantastic contributions made by Dan not just to local forestry in the rural communities of Midway and Greenwood but the far-reaching impacts of the work he is undertaking. Any one who knows him can recognize his spirited personality, tireless efforts, and willingness to go above and beyond typical expectations,” noted Flett.
From the start of his career, Macmaster has remained committed to a foundation of sustainable forest management practices by balancing ecological, social, and economic values; and developing new and stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities, residents, forestry members, and government officials.
As a past high school teacher, Macmaster believes that providing learning opportunities related to forestry to young students is critical to the future well-being of forests and the forest industry.
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