A Ladysmith resident is one of four winners of the 2021 Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) distinguished forest professional award.
Stephen Lorimer, Registered Professional Foresters (RPF), of Ladysmith won the award, which recognizes ABCFP registrants for outstanding contributions to the forestry profession and for furthering the association’s principles.
“Steve has dedicated 50 years of his working life to the improvement of forest management,” said Garnet Mierau, RPF, ABCFP president. “After most of that career with major forest companies, Steve continues as an active RPF, supporting First Nations and communities to compile strategies and plans for local forest management.”
Lorimer was presented with the award on Feb. 4 during a virtual ceremony held as part of the ABCFP 74th annual forestry conference.
He began his career with BC Forest Products in Port Renfrew. Cruising, planning, harvest block design and reforestation were all part of his purview, beginning decades of participating in research and tree improvement, including playing a key role in establishing the Mt. Newton Tree Seed Orchard in Saanich.
“Stephen’s career serves as an example of how integrity and commitment are key attributes necessary to achieving real and meaningful success in forestry and ensuring we are sustainably caring for BC’s forests for future generations,” Mierau said.
Lorimer has overseen tens of millions of seedlings planted, tens of thousands of hectares reforested and contributed data to dozens of public and private research trials for pest and invasive species management in the most productive timberlands in Canada on the Coast of BC, from Haida Gwaii to Sooke.
In the early 1980s, Lorimer took a leadership role in establishing public campsites on private timberlands. These continue as a popular destination and informational opportunity today for the public to learn about forestry in an immersive way.
Lorimer was a member of the ABCFP Council for five years and was the 65th president in 2012.
Garry Mancell, LLB, RPF, Peter Marshall, PhD, RPF, and Ken Zielke, RPF, are the other distinguished forest professionals. All three reside in Metro Vancouver.
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