What is the Partnership?

Founding board of FORREX

FORREX Forum for Research and Extension in Natural Resources (FORREX) is a British Columbia, Canada-based charitable non-share corporation, founded in 1998 to help people develop science and knowledge-based solutions to complex natural resource challenges. Through the contributions of staff, partners and donors, FORREX links people to knowledge, and facilitates continuous innovation and improvement in natural resource policy and management – practices that greatly influence the ecological, social, and economic well-being of our communities. FORREX believes that knowledge can make the greatest difference when it is shared, empowering people to make more informed decisions.

"... sustainable development of our natural resources is a major focus of [Natural Resources Canada] and is one of the key priorities of the Government of Canada. Achieving these goals requires strong linkage with many forest stakeholders ... Your organization's efforts are an important component of sustainable development not only within your province, but also in Canada as a whole."
R. John Efford, P.C., M.P,
Former Minister of Natural Resources

Organizations that share an interest in natural resources are realizing the benefits of working together to find solutions to common problems. FORREX is a cooperative of organizations and people who provide and/or use natural resources research, indigenous knowledge and experience when making decisions about the management of natural resources. The synergy fostered through these partnerships is improving collaboration, drawing more partners into research and extension ventures and enabling a transfer of knowledge that is improving decision-making and practices.

Our vision is that, through our work, we will see sustainable ecosystems and stable, vibrant communities supported by the natural resource economy. We see the natural resource sector as a world leader in sustainable resource management policy, economy and practice. We also see FORREX as an integral player in an innovative and knowledge-based society.

Our Partners

• Natural resource agencies within provincial and federal government and Crown corporations
• Resource managers working for industry and communities
• First Nations communities
• Learning and research institutions
• The public and special interest groups

For a current list of FORREX partners, please visit the Partners page.

"... From its inception as SIFERP and through its evolution to FORREX, this institution has made significant contributions in furthering the forest science agenda in British Columbia. As always, it is people who make it work, and I give full credit to all those involved for their leadership, diligence, and good management!"
Larry P. Pedersen, R.P.F.
Deputy Minister,
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Our goals are to…

• Integrate science, indigenous knowledge and natural resource management to promote sustainable ecosystem management practices.
• Establish long-term investments in learning about managing our natural resources by developing an infrastructure to:
• Identify needs,
• Build research and extension partnerships,
• Share and manage information, and
• Evaluate outcomes.


• Build our learning capacity through the effective use of research, technology and knowledge transfer and extension education.

By achieving our goals we are ensuring that…

• Decision-makers have access to, and can use, the latest scientific, indigenous and experiential information before making natural resource-based policy and decisions.
• Resource managers are supported with access to the latest knowledge, expertise and information before planning and implementing land use decisions.
• High-quality natural resource information is generated and applied in practical ways.
• The public’s understanding and appreciation for natural resource science, the maintenance and protection of indigenous knowledge, and ecologically based forest management practices is enhanced.
• Indigenous innovations and practices are respected and encouraged.
• Healthy and productive ecosystems are nurtured and sustained.

"I have been an active FORREX volunteer for the past three years because I can see how the organization is making a difference in the communities it serves… Resource communities are facing unprecedented challenges as they strive to sustain environmental, social, and economic priorities. FORREX has carved out a role to help them meet these challenges by providing practical and theoretical information tools to help them make decisions. FORREX has evolved through the establishment phase and is maturing into a respected provincial and national forestry extension institution."
Michael Blackstock, First Nations Relations Manager,
BC Ministry of Forests and Range

How we’re funded
FORREX was founded with contributions from the Province of British Columbia. Through our Ecosystem Legacy Fund, individuals, foundations, agencies and corporations have the opportunity to contribute to our work. FORREX is also funded through financial and in-kind contributions from our Partners and through fee for service and grant competitions.

Corporate Philosophy and Organizational Design
FORREX is guided by the belief that people make better decisions if they have access to, trust, and understand the best available information about ecosystems and the social, economic and environmental implications of natural resource use. Our policies and services are guided by principles of neutrality, objectivity, quality, trust, fairness and respect.

FORREX is a unique, politically neutral, Canadian organization created through the association of many natural resource agencies, policy makers, practitioners, First Nations, and learning institutions.

FORREX operates as a geographically diverse network of specialists located in close proximity to clients throughout British Columbia. We have traditionally served clients in BC; however, our reach continues to expand as we become more involved in meeting the needs of national and international clients as well.

Our Board of Directors sets the strategic direction and policy that guides FORREX. The Chief Executive Officer serves as officer of the Board and a vital link to our internal team. The Team, in cooperation with partner organizations, provides extension and research services in an ever-expanding repertoire of programs. The strength of the organization comes not only from the FORREX Team but also from the more than 1,000 research scientists, professionals, managers and educators who contribute through our partnering organizations.

The organization is non-hierarchical. A team approach ensures individuals take responsibility for their work and interact collaboratively with others. This model requires trust between the Board and the CEO, and between the CEO and the rest of the Team. The Board supports the staff; however, staff work autonomously from the Board. The Team has established a positive and healthy culture within the organization by working with respect, trust and responsibility.

Our Partners also contribute technical and administrative resources, enabling FORREX to minimize the need for a large administrative infrastructure. Clients are able to access our services, as well as provide services to FORREX, on an as-needed basis.

Operating Model – A Team Approach
FORREX team members are not centralized, but rather are strategically located throughout British Columbia in proximity to partners and clients in order to maintain strong relationships with them. Team members extend knowledge, facilitate collaborative research and extension projects and solve problems.

FORREX’s organizational model allows for unlimited growth. The model is flexible and able to respond to new directives and challenges. The Board gives a high degree of latitude and responsibility to the staff to tap this unlimited potential. The staff values and respects that trust.

FORREX hierarchical structure

BUSINESS AREAS
FORREX’s activities and efforts are broadly based but can be categorized into four distinct business areas:
1. Identifying Information Needs
2. Extension Services
3. Information Management, and
4. Evaluation

Identifying Information Needs
Understanding where information gaps exist helps the natural resource community to focus its efforts and ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently. FORREX performs client needs assessments – using mail surveys, focus groups, literature reviews and on-site client meetings – that identify information gaps in the natural resource community. The information gathered guides our extension and research priorities. Results are also shared with other organizations to help guide their research and extension investments.

Extension Services
Extension refers to programs that extend knowledge and information to people who need it. Extension means conducting research, synthesizing and localizing knowledge, and providing support for adaptive natural resource decisions. FORREX has created innovative products and services that link researchers, decision-makers, and resource users to the latest knowledge in science and innovation. Staff develop curriculum and facilitate workshops on topical issues. Workshops are designed to move participants towards management solutions. Field trips, conferences, field guides, extension notes, journal articles, newsletters and workshop reports all assist in the synthesis and sharing of information. Extension specialists facilitate events, provide proposal writing assistance, facilitate cooperative research and extension projects, maintain niche libraries, and respond to requests for natural resource information.

Information Management
As the natural resource community strives to respond to the rapid social, environmental and economic changes of the 21st century, accessibility of high-quality, relevant, and timely information is critical in supporting and improving ecosystem-based management. FORREX facilitates and encourages cooperation between organizations and partners for effective implementation of information exchange and management. We are currently developing information-based tools to help clients access and employ the latest knowledge about forest development and ecosystem-based management.

Evaluation
Knowing what difference we make, and the difference our partners make, in contributing to sustainable natural resources and communities is important to us. Our evaluation services help find answers to the “so what” question. When we conduct evaluations, we collect data about planned objectives and measure performance against outcomes. FORREX has expertise in designing and conducting program and product evaluations. If knowing what difference you make is important, please contact us at society@forrex.org to help you design an effective evaluation framework.