"Small-scale forestry enterprises rarely get political or public attention, and this research has been conducted to ensure their needs are recognized," says Dr Myers. The small-scale sector includes furniture makers, horse-loggers, log-home builders, family-operated sawmills, and art and instrument builders. The research was conducted throughout 1998 and included interviews with 67 small-scale forestry entre-preneurs from Prince George, Quesnel, Likely, Williams Lake, 150-Mile House, McBride, Valemount, Fort St James, Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser, Burns Lake, Houston, Telkwa, Smithers, and Francois Lake. Together they employ about 160 people and contribute $6 million to the economy through wages.

A workshop at UNBC allowed these northern BC entrepreneurs to discuss the issues they face and suggest solutions. Highlights of the 10-point plan they developed include:

• More inclusion of all forest industry sectors in resource planning with the Ministry of Forests and others, at the District level, to ensure all industry needs are recognized.
• Adjusting appraisals, bidding, and stumpage to reflect operating costs, employment levels, usage of low-grade wood, and the economic/ social contributions of small-scale industry.
• Developing better public and political understanding of the social and economic impacts and benefits of the small-scale forestry sector.
• Refining the woodlot system allowing small-scale foresters to exercise greater stewardship over the land.
• Alternative marketing of specialty wood products. The Wood Enterprise Centre in Quesnel is a good example. Many par-ticipants also support development of a private log-sort yard.
• Making certification and training courses accessible to residents of small communities.
• Enhancing research of effective small-scale logging methods.