 As BC's Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, I am pleased to celebrate National Forest Week in this International Year of Forests. This year's theme for both National Forest Week and International Year of Forests is Forest for People. This provides a great opportunity to reflect on the benefits our forests provide. BC's forest sector continues to provide great economic benefits, accounting for over 55,000 direct jobs supporting families all around the province, and contributing $7.3 billion to the province's gross domestic product. With a number of mills reopening around the province, including mills in Quintanaunga, Midway, Savanna and Vavenby, hundreds of workers are back on the job, and communities are seeing the benefits as the forest sector continues to recover. With lumber out of support still on the rise, and exponentially increasing demand from China, British Columbians will continue to benefit from increased demand of our wood products. We are also diversifying the forest economy. Now over 50 communities are enjoying the benefits of forestry by managing local community forests for local values. As well, 144 First Nations are enjoying the benefits of forestry through revenue-sharing agreements and direct access to timber. But forests aren't only about jobs. We manage our forests for a multitude of values including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, cultural heritage, and recreation to name a few. During National Forest Week, get out into the woods and take time to enjoy one of the 1,200 recreation sites, or 800 trails, around the province.