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Nova Scotia’s Forestry Innovation Transition Trust invests $6.1M in new Centre for Forest Innovation

The Forestry Innovation Transition Trust in Nova Scotia, which was formed following the closure of Northern Pulp in January 2020, has announced it will invest $6.1 million over four years for the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) to create a new Centre of Forest Innovation at its Truro, N.S., campus.

According to a government press release, the new centre will feature a simulator immersion lab, demonstration woodlot, innovative technology and programming designed to meet the needs of the province’s forestry industry.

The centre meets several recommendations of the Lahey Report, such as encouraging innovation and improving education and training for Nova Scotia’s forestry professionals.

The NSCC will design and deliver core certificate programs for forest inventory and ecological resource management. The college will also offer shorter courses for continuing education and skill development.

The provincial government says one of the main goals of the centre will be to grow Nova Scotia’s forestry workforce by providing greater access to training and inclusion of youth, Black, Indigenous and women learners through tuition bursaries.

The centre will be built by June 2022 and open for students in September 2022.

With this announcement, the $50 million Forestry Innovation Transition Trust has invested $10.4 million in seven projects.