A Campbell River forestry veteran has received the highest honour from the Association of BC Forest Professionals.
Rick Monchak, a professional forester for 35 years, received the Distinguished Forest Professional award last Thursday night at the association’s annual general meeting in Prince George.
Monchak works for TimberWest Forest Corp. in Campbell River.
After graduating from the Forestry program at the University of British Columbia more than three decades ago, Monchak was recruited as a timber cruiser for British Columbia Forest Products Ltd.
He moved up the ranks, taking on greater responsibilities in a variety of operational and silvicultural roles.
Monchak stayed with BC Forest Products as it transitioned into TimberWest and while there, expanded his areas of expertise to include forest management, forest development planning and integrated resource and operational planning.
Monchak became a mentor to new forest professionals and a community liaison, notably serving as a key contact in First Nations discussions.
Known as a humourous and thoughtful man, Monchak was also instrumental in showcasing coastal B.C. to an NBC film crew, who profiled the forestry sector in the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Association of BC Forest Professionals is responsible for registering and regulating B.C.’s professional foresters and forest technologists.
Today, it is the largest professional forestry association in Canada.
