Time Inc. and UPM Launch Biodiversity Study in Canadian Forests

Westmont, Illinois, USA, 26 April 2007 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Biodiversity is the focus of a new study being launched by Time Inc. and UPM in cooperation with the University of Moncton, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, Bird Studies Canada, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Using bird species as indicators of biodiversity in managed forests, the study is expected to contribute to the further development of best forestry practices for the Acadian forest of New Brunswick and Canadian Boreal forests.

Time Inc. is the world's largest magazine publisher and UPM is a global leader in magazine paper production. "We share a commitment to sustainable development in forest management and operations," said David Refkin, director of Sustainable Development, Time Inc.

UPM has instituted a global biodiversity program for the development of best practices in the company's forest operations and monitoring systems to follow progress. That program fits well with the new joint biodiversity study in Canada.

The study will use publicly-owned land and some owned by UPM in New Brunswick. In both cases, the forest land is managed and operated by UPM. The study team aims to develop a methodology which would become a model for future biodiversity studies in other Canadian forests. The findings will contribute to national and international discussions on biodiversity research, forest certification, policy development and forest legislation. The state of biodiversity in a forest area can be an indicator of the sustainability of forest management practices, and certain species can be used as biodiversity indicators.

"UPM is pleased to be partnering with Time Inc. on this significant study," said Bernard Robichaud, Chief Forester, UPM, Canada. "The University of Moncton is responsible for the research project, and the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources will represent the forest land owner. Bird Studies Canada and Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC), two nongovernmental organizations, will act as partners and offer their expertise during the whole process."

"The project is unique in that it combines extensive bird surveys and intensive monitoring of the nests of several bird species," explained Marc-Andre Villard, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Landscape Conservation at the University of Moncton.

Several songbird and woodpecker species will be evaluated as bio-indicators, and their reproductive performance will be monitored in treated and control areas.

"The aim is to measure bird responses to different forest management treatments in order to help develop harvest plans and logging methods compatible with the conservation of healthy populations," said Villard. "Presence and successful reproduction of these species in post-harvest stands or landscapes would indicate a good potential for ecological resilience."

"As Canada's leader in habitat conservation, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is in the business of protecting biodiversity in New Brunswick and across Canada," said John Foley, director of land conservation for the Atlantic Region of NCC. "We support this study because it will further develop best forestry practices for some of New Brunswick's, and the country's, most important forest areas."

"Supporting applied research is an important component of the adaptive management approach used for public lands," said Scott Makepeace, wildlife biologist for the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources. "This study will also provide basic data and information that can be used during the development and refinement of strategic goals and objectives for public land."

The study will begin in April 2007 with the first results expected in two to three years.

UPM is one of the world's leading forest products groups. The Group's sales in 2006 were EUR 10 billion, and it has about 28,000 employees. UPM's main products include printing papers, converting materials and wood products. The company has production plants in 15 countries and its main market areas are Europe and North America. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York stock exchanges.

UPM has a global forestry and wood sourcing organization to secure wood supply to its different mills as well as to manage company forests. The company owns and manages forestry land in Canada, Finland, Russia, the UK, and the United States. Further information is available on the company's Web site at http://www.upm-kymmene.com/.

Time Inc.

Time Inc., a Time Warner company, is one of the largest content companies in the world. With approximately 130 magazines, it is the largest magazine publisher in the United States and UK. Each month, one out of every two American adults reads a Time Inc. magazine, and one out of every 10, who are online, visits a company Web site (more than 19 million unique visitors). Time Inc.'s popular brands and successful franchises extend to online, television, cable VOD, satellite radio, mobile devices, events and branded products.

Universite de Moncton

The Universite de Moncton is a French language university in Moncton, New Brunswick serving the Acadian community of Atlantic Canada. Founded in 1963, the modern U de M is an amalgamation of six colleges, including the College Saint-Joseph (founded at Memramcook in 1864), the College du Sacre-Coeur de Bathurst, and the College Saint-Louis d'Edmundston. It has campuses in Edmundston and Shippagan in addition to the primary campus in Moncton. The main campus at Moncton has eight faculties: Administration, Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences and Community Services, Law, and Sciences.

New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources is responsible for managing 3.3 million hectares of public land in the best interest of all New Brunswick residents. New Brunswick's public forest is divided into 10 timber licences. Each license is leased to a large forest-based company (called a licensee) under a 25-year agreement. Licensee performance is monitored regularly and evaluated every five years. Licensees manage public forest following the goals, objectives and standards as described in the documents; "The New Brunswick Public Forest: Our Shared Future" and "Objectives and Standards for the New Brunswick Crown Forest for the 2007-2012 Period". See:
http://www.gnb.ca/0078/publications/Forest-e.asp (English), or http://www.gnb.ca/0078/publications/Forest-f.asp (French).

Bird Studies Canada

Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is recognized nation-wide as a leading and respected not-for-profit conservation organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats, in Canada and elsewhere, through studies that engage the skills, enthusiasm, and support of its members, volunteers, staff, and the interested public.

Nature Conservancy of Canada

The Nature Conservancy of Canada protects areas of biological diversity for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of future generations. An innovative, creative and scientific organization, NCC takes a business-like approach in securing ecologically significant natural areas through purchases, donations, conservation agreements, and other mechanisms, and in achieving long-term stewardship of sites through management plans and monitoring arrangements. NCC is the leader in conservation of Canada's natural heritage.

Source: UPM