Building an Innovative Forestry Technology Cluster

塞尔柯克学院建议在不列颠哥伦比亚省东南部内陆地区创建一个创新的林业技术集群，以支持高效创新技术的开发和应用，这些技术将彻底改变不列颠哥伦比亚省及其他地区的林地管理。该研究计划的目标是：通过促进采用创新技术来加强我们当地的林业集群；通过劳动力培训支持向技术先进、具有全球竞争力的集群的过渡；以及创建能够提供响应快速变化的劳动力需求的教育的产学研合作关系。我们的六个项目的研究计划专注于四项新兴技术：(1)无人机系统在偏远森林地形中收集空间信息的应用，(2)光距离和测距(LiDAR)用于高分辨率地形覆盖和地形成像，(3)利用地理信息系统以及虚拟和增强现实设备的2D/3D可视化，以及(4)先进计算，包括云服务、数据分析、传感系统和过程模型。提高效率和改进可持续做法的能力对于集群适应不断变化的环境和全球市场持续不确定的能力至关重要。这项投资将提供优化流程、降低成本、提高效率、提高生产率和竞争力的机会。在集群内加强培训和技能发展的必要性也是至关重要的。目前的技术发展速度意味着劳动力需要一系列技术技能，包括在使用传统方法的同时使用快速发展的手持电子设备的能力。让我们的学生和集群内的就业人员掌握掌握这些新技术的必要技能，是创新、技术采用和竞争力的关键方面。

Selkirk College proposes the creation of an Innovative Forestry Technology Cluster in BC's southeast Interior region to support the development and application of efficient, innovative technologies that are set to revolutionize forest land management in BC and beyond. Objectives of the research program are: to enhance our local forestry cluster by facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies; to support the transition to a technologically-advanced, globally-competitive cluster through workforce training; and create an industry-college relationship that enables educational delivery that is responsive to rapidly changing workforce needs. Our research program of six projects focuses on four emerging technologies: (1) Unmanned Aerial Systems applications for collecting spatial information in remote forested terrain, (2) Light distance and ranging (LiDAR) utilization for high resolution landcover and terrain imaging, (3) 2D/3D visualization with GIS and virtual and augmented reality devices, and (4) Advanced computing including cloud services, data analytics, sensory systems and process models. The capacity to increase efficiency and improve sustainable practices is fundamental to the cluster's ability to adapt to a changing environment and ongoing uncertainty in global markets. This investment will provide opportunities to optimize processes, decrease costs, enhance efficiency, and increase productivity and competitiveness. The need for enhanced training and skills development within the cluster is also critical. The current pace of technological development means that the workforce requires a range of technology skills, including the capability to use rapidly-evolving hand-held electronic devices alongside traditional approaches. Equipping our students and those employed within the cluster with the necessary skills to master these new technologies is a critical aspect of innovation, technology adoption, and competitiveness.