Phase II of the Spruce Budworm Early Intervention Strategy project was funded by the federal government! This means we will be looking for new graduate students to join our team in the near future.

PROTECTING JOBS IN EASTERN CANADA’S FORESTRY SECTOR

The sustainable management of our natural resources leads to long term economic opportunity. Research on the spruce budworm, one of the most damaging pests to spruce trees in Canada, has identified ways to protect forests against its cyclical outbreaks. This is critical to support the forest industry and, in turn, jobs in parts of the country—such as Atlantic Canada—where the forestry sector is an important part of the economy. Through Budget 2018, the Government proposes to take action alongside Atlantic provinces and the forest industry, by making available up to $74.75 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, based on a 60:40 federal to provincial and industry cost sharing basis, to prevent the spread of spruce budworm. Federal contributions will come from Natural Resources Canada. This will allow government, academia, industry and other stakeholders to continue to work together to protect our forests and support the economy.

Some details here : http://business.financialpost.com/news/federal-budget-fine-print-a-look-at-some-details-that-might-have-slipped-under-the-radar