Edmonton, December 21, 2009 – The Alberta Forest Products Association is pleased to welcome Alberta Wood WORKS! to their new home at the AFPA office in downtown Edmonton. The Wood WORKS! initiative is a national campaign of the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) to encourage the use of structural and architectural wood products in commercial construction.

"This is good news for our members," said Brady Whittaker, President and CEO of the AFPA. "Both the AFPA and Alberta Wood WORKS! are committed to promoting a strong and healthy forest sector in Alberta – it makes perfect sense for us to be under the same roof," continued Whittaker.

Etienne Lalonde, National Project Manager for the Wood WORKS! program, was also pleased with the move. "The vision of Wood WORKS! is to have a wood culture in Canada, where wood is the first choice and best value building material for all types of construction," said Lalonde. "Having Alberta Wood WORKS! housed at the AFPA office will enhance the natural partnership between CWC and AFPA. The Wood WORKS! campaign will be strengthened and Alberta’s forest sector will be better served as a result," stated Lalonde.

Alberta Wood WORKS! can be contacted through:

Rory Koska, Technical Advisor

Suite 500, 10709 Jasper Avenue

Edmonton, AB T5J 3N3

Phone: 780.392.1952

The Alberta Forest Products Association is a private, non-profit industry organization, representing lumber, panelboard, pulp and paper, and secondary manufacturing wood products companies operating in Alberta. The forest products industry is Alberta’s third largest manufacturing industry and the second largest manufacturing export industry. AFPA member companies are active participants in sustainability advancements that benefit the industry, our environment and society. For more information about Alberta’s forest industry, visit www.albertaforestproducts.ca

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For more information, please contact:

Brady Whittaker, President and CEO                                         

Alberta Forest Products Association                                           

O: 780.452.2841 Ext. 231                                                       

C: 780.916.5212                                                                   

E: bwhittaker@albertaforestproducts.ca                                  

Etienne Lalonde, National Project Manager

Wood WORKS!

O: 613.747.5544

C: 613.294.3409

E: elalonde@wood-works.org