01 May 2001

Salt Spring Island, BC - On May 9, Saltspring Island elementary students will get a chance to discover nature with International tree biologist, Dr. Reese Halter.

Dr. Halter, the founder of research institute Global Forest Society in Vancouver, will visit Salt Spring Elementary School, Phoenix Elementary School and Fulford Elementary School to read his new children's book, Forest Adventures with Bruni the Bear. and meet with the kids to discuss what nature means to them and expand their appreciation of the plants and animals of the forest.

Dr. Halter has personally financed more than 50 scientific projects on three continents including studies exploring ant colonies in Japan, the relationship between fog and redwoods in northern California, and the genetic extinction of fish in southeastern British Columbia. Fourteen classes of grade 6 to 8s are running weather stations donated by Dr. Halter to collect data on climate change.

"Kids are going to be the salvation of our wild forests," says Dr. Halter. "Our weather stations and our other education initiatives are designed to get them motivated, mobilized and influential in forest exploration and conservation. Kids need to know that trees, science and discovery are cool."

Dr. Halter's book for children aged 4 to 8 tells the tale of a curious bear that searches the forest for his favorite snack - Honey!

Tuscon and Banff-based Global Forest Science (www.globalforestscience.org) is a forest biology research institute. With an international multi-disciplinary team of 165 scientists, Global Forest Science is a world leader in forest science research and has often been likened to the Red Adair's of the forest biology world. Global Forest Sciences' many victories ranging from legislation to protect the threatened westslope cutthroat trout of British Columbia, protection of the world's largest ant colony, opening an international insect quarantine facility and helping to save New Zealand's multi billion dollar forestry and agriculture industries from the Australian painted apple moth. Global Forest Science is also dedicated to children's ecological education - visit GFAwesome.
(www.gfawesome.org)

For more information, please contact:
Email: info@globalforestscience.org
Phone: 818.851.9682