Forest Discovery Box History In the spring of 1994 representatives of the New Brunswick Department of Education's Partnership for Education and J.D. Irving, Limited met to discuss ways in which the company, educators and students might forge a partnership to foster a comprehensive understanding of the region's forest resource. The partnership was solidified through an extensive week-long tour by educators, students and company foresters throughout the diverse operations that characterize today's forest industry. Students and educators became committed to the idea of developing resources that would offer fun, credible, interactive and cross-curricular lessons of the contemporary forest, related industries, forest management practices and current issues. The Partnership Teacher and student tours. The initial tours, in 1994, of the company's facilities and forestry operations resulted in the development of classroom resource materials. However, teacher and student tours remain a continuing part of the partnership. While on tour, the teachers learn about 25 year forest management, mill operations, harvesting methods, wildlife and environmental management. Educators are shown how industry uses biology, genetics, chemistry, environmental sciences, technological advancements in production, satellite mapping, engineering design and forest technology. Educators observe the full cycle of forest resource use - from the planting of trees through to the production of lumber, pulp, paper, tissue and many other value-added products that provide employment within the region. Each tour includes discussions with senior managers on any related topic the educators would like addressed. The company in turn receives valuable feedback and suggestions from educators to enhance and expand the resource materials. Three teachers (francophone and anglophone) from New Brunswick school districts 01, 02 and 18 were seconded full time through the Department of Education to work with J.D. Irving, Limited as education consultants to develop and introduce resource materials through teacher workshops. The teachers assisted in coordinating class and teacher tours of forestry operations as well as forestry spokespersons for classroom discussions. In addition, a central reference person at J.D. Irving, Limited was established to facilitate province-wide booking of school group tours to any of the company's forestry operations, forestry speakers (wildlife biologists, environmental biologists, forestry personnel and human resource staff), sourcing forestry materials and other information requests.