7 December 2006

OTTAWA, Ontario – After 9 years of meticulous research the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recognized the work conducted by Global Forest Science researchers and has recommended to the federal Minister of the Environment that the westlope cutthroat trouts of southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta be reclassified and placed on the Species At Risk Act . This will afford these inland salmonoids special protection.

Principal investigator Peter Corbett was elated by this news "Global Forest Science, The Moore Family Foundation, The Donner Canadian Foundation and Trout Unlimited had the vision and foresight to support the years of basic science needed to convince the British Columbia government to stop stocking the water ways with non indigenous rainbow trouts and the federal government in Ottawa to accept the findings. This is a tremendous win for the westslope cutthroat trouts and will ensure that the species is able to be restored to its northern most native habitat."

Founder and President of Global Forest Science Dr Reese Halter lauded the graduate students from the University of British Columbia and Utah State University who conducted some of the research. “I cannot think of a better holiday gift than this – a win for the Animal Kingdom!” said Dr Halter.

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