INNOVATION January-February 2012

as soc ia t ion notes

Nominations are now being accepted for APEGBC’s 2012 Environmental Awards and Sustainability Award. vironmental Awards APEGBC’s Environment Committee encourages submissions for the Environmental Awards, which highlight the role of professional engineers and geoscientists in responsible environmental management. Awards are offered in two categories: 1. Concept and Assessment; and 2. Design, Construction and Monitoring. Full details on the submission process and awards criteria for the Environmental Awards can be found in the Submission Rules and Judging Criteria at: www.apeg.bc.ca/services/awards/environmentawards.html. ility Award From innovative processes that do more with less to adaptive measures to address an uncertain climate future, APEGBC engineers and geoscientists practice at the leading edge of sustainability. APEGBC recognizes these leaders through the annual Sustainability Award as a means to celebrate and share the positive contributions to a sustainable future. The award is open to any project that has demonstrated a commitment to, and understanding of, the concept of sustainability and/or has applied one or more of the Sustainability Guidelines. The Sustainability Committee welcomes diverse nominations from sustainable projects both large and small. Full details on the submission process and awards criteria for the Sustainability Award can be found at: www.apeg.bc.ca/about/sustainability/award.html. The winning submissions will receive their awards at APEGBC’s 2012 Annual Conference, to be held October 11-13 in Victoria, BC and will be highlighted in a video profile. The deadline for initial 500-word nominations is March 2, 2012. Submissions Invited for APEGBC Environmental and Sustainability Awards Geoscience-related Words Now Restricted in Business Names BC’s Corporate Registry has added 16 geoscience-related words or phrases to its restricted word list. Anyone applying to register a business name containing one of these words or phrases will be notified that it is restricted and that they should contact APEGBC to obtain the appropriate consent for use. The restricted words and phrases are as follows:

APEGBC is currently seeking applications from qualified members for the APEGBC Climate Change and Adaptation Advisory Group. The Climate Change and Adaptation Advisory Group is responsible for advising APEGBC Council on matters related to climate change and adaptation; these include recommending appropriate policy development, providing input into practice guideline development and revision, defining key messages for communication to members and government, and recommending appropriate responses to requests for Association support. The group will not advise members or licensees on individual practice matters. The group reports exclusively to APEGBC Council. Members of the group must be professional members in good standing with APEGBC or non-members with recognized knowledge in the field. Potential members of this group must have an understanding of issues related to climate change and adaptation as well as knowledge of current initiatives in government and other organizations as they relate to engineering and geoscience, such that they can provide expert advice as needed to the Association. Members will be appointed for a three-year term. Members should expect a minimum time commitment of four two- hour meetings in the first year requiring approximately one hour of preparation per meeting. The group is expected to meet at least semi-annually thereafter or as required. Meetings will be held at the APEGBC offices in Burnaby. Members who are unable to attend in person have the option of teleconferencing. Expressions of interest may be sent along with your curriculum vitae to CCAAG@apeg.bc.ca. For more information, contact Derek Doyle PEng, Chief Executive Officer at ddoyle@apeg. bc.ca or (604) 412-4850. Climate Change and Adaptation Advisory Group Call for Applications:

• Earth Science • Environmental Geology • Environmental Geoscience • Exploration Geoscience • Geochemistry/Geochemical • Geology • Geomorphology

• Geophysics/Geophysical • Geoscience • Hydrogeology/Hydrogeological • Petroleum Geoscience • Quaternary Geology • Volcanology

As a condition of providing consent, APEGBC requires the applicant to identify the APEGBC members or licensees taking responsibility for the professional geoscience activities of the business. As a part of its current enforcement strategy, APEGBC has been working with other agencies that may encounter unregistered practitioners of professional engineering or professional geoscience and developing means to identify and share information regarding these individuals. At APEGBC’s request, the Corporate Registry added the 16 geoscience-related words and phrases to its restricted list. For a number of years, anyone wishing to set up a business in BC containing the word “engineer” or any variation (eg, engineered, engineering, etc) has had to obtain the consent of APEGBC before the Corporate Registry would grant the business name request. Until recently, there were no similar rules and requirements regarding geoscience related business names. This is an important step forward in ensuring that geoscience services in BC are only offered and conducted by APEGBC members and licensees.

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