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Nova Scotia’s Forestry Trust announces two new projects

Two more projects, totalling more than $2.5 million, have been approved by the trustees of the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust.

“These two projects are excellent examples of using innovation to support Nova Scotia’s forestry industry and transition it for the future. The projects, together with the previously funded projects, are helping to strengthen this sector and ensure it’s sustainable for the long-term,” said Rosalind Penfound, chair, Forestry Innovation Transition Trust.

The Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment is receiving $926,500 to further support the development of the Bio-technology and Bio-manufacturing Acceleration Centre in Sydney. It aims to advance commercialization of key forestry and biomass sector innovative technology companies.

“This funding will enable the Verschuren Centre to continue to grow and scale clean technologies for partners in the forestry and biomass sectors, allowing them to adapt new, high-value solutions. This adds new jobs and investments resulting from technology adaptation,” said Beth Mason, president, Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment.

Research Nova Scotia will receive about $1.6 million for a project to assist the forestry sector as it transitions to the ecological forestry model. The five-year research and knowledge mobilization program will be led by Dalhousie University.

“Research Nova Scotia works closely with the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust and the forestry sector to identify initiatives that will fulfill the goals of the Province’s forestry research agenda. This funding will lead to significant new capacity in Nova Scotia’s post-secondary forest expertise,” said Stefan Leslie, CEO, Research Nova Scotia.

To date, the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust has committed more than $28 million of the $50-million fund.

The fund may be used by companies, organizations or post-secondary institutions working and researching in the forestry and biological resources sectors, and by forestry workers to access funding for training. The three trustees review the submissions and make spending decisions.