World Wildlife Fund Canada and Weyerhaeuser Announce Linda Coady Will Lead Expanding Pacific Region Program for WWF

In the newly-created position of Vice President, Pacific Region for WWF-Canada, Coady will focus on delivering conservation targets for both terrestrial and marine habitats of outstanding global importance. Active in 100 countries, WWF works to conserve biodiversity, chiefly by protecting representative ecosystems and recovering endangered species, as well as advancing sustainable resource management and pollution reduction. WWF’s current BC activities include promoting marine protected areas and forest certification, reducing illegal wildlife trade, and funding field research projects on species at risk. The Hon. John Fraser, Canada’s former Ambassador for the Environment, chairs the Vancouver-based Pacific Council of WWF.

“Of Canada’s 480 marine and terrestrial natural regions about 25% are found in British Columbia,” said WWF-Canada President Monte Hummel. “Conserving the environmental values that are such an important part of British Columbia requires the application of science, the creation of market-based incentives and an ability to find common ground among the different groups involved in resource decision-making and management at the local level. Linda is already well known in BC for her ability to achieve progress on environmental issues through innovative projects and partnerships. We are delighted to have her lead WWF’s expanding program in BC.”

“Linda’s commitment to conservation and her ability to communicate and problem solve with customers, First Nations, government and environmental groups on contentious issues have been a force for change within our company and the entire coastal forest industry,” said Craig Neeser, Vice President for Weyerhaeuser in BC. “Weyerhaeuser is very pleased that her new role with WWF will enable her to continue to be involved with our company’s initiatives in Canada on endangered species recovery and on new approaches to forests with high conservation value.”

Coady said one of her priorities at WWF in 2003 will be to work with environmental groups in BC to ensure successful resolution of outstanding conservation issues in BC coastal old growth forests currently being addressed by land use planning processes for the province’s Central Coast, North Coast and Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlottes.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada and Weyerhaeuser Announce Linda Coady will Lead Expanding Pacific Region Program for WWF

Linda Coady
A 20-year veteran of the BC forest industry, Linda Coady became Vice President of Environmental Affairs for the BC-based MacMillan Bloedel (MB) in 1994. She joined Weyerhaeuser in 1999 when Weyerhaeuser bought MB. For the past three years she has Chaired a coalition of BC coastal forest companies working to develop a locally and globally credible conservation plan for forests on the BC coast with important environmental values. In 2002 she received a special award from the Forest Products Association of Canada in recognition of her work on resolving conflict over conservation and management of coastal old growth forests. In 2001 she received a BC Ethics in Action Award for leadership in corporate social responsibility. She is and will remain a Director of the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Program and Iisaak Forest Resources, a joint venture in eco-forestry between Weyerhaeuser and the five Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations in Clayoquot Sound.

While with MacMillan Bloedel, Coady was part of a company team that introduced the phasing out of clearcutting and other corporate forest policies designed to apply ecosystem-based principles to commercial forest management on the BC Coast. In 2001 the Weyerhaeuser group involved in implementing those policies won an award from the Ecological Society of America.

World Wildlife Fund
WWF-Canada is part of WWF International, the world’s largest independent conservation group. All WWF offices are united by the common goal to: conserve the world’s biological diversity; ensure that the use of renewable resources is sustainable; and promote the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Founded 40 years ago, this global network now works in more than 100 countries, raising $1 billion (Cdn) annually for some 700 projects and conservation programs around the world.

Working with government, business and communities across Canada since 1967, WWF-Canada today has more than 60,000 supporters. Headquartered in Toronto, WWF-Canada also has offices in Montreal, Whitehorse and Yellowknife, as well as on all three coasts: Halifax in the East, Prince Rupert in the West, and Iqaluit in the North. It also leads global conservation efforts in Cuba. WWF-Canada recently concluded its decade-long Endangered Spaces campaign, which protected more than 1,000 new areas across the country. His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is President Emeritus of WWF International. Additional information about WWF Canada and WWF International is available at www.wwf.ca and www.panda.org.

Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY), one of the world’s largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2001, sales were Cdn$22.5 billion (US$14.5 billion). It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities. Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, has Exchangeable Shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol WYL. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser’s businesses, products and practices is available at www.weyerhaeuser.com