CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF FORESTRY
INSTITUT FORESTIER DU CANADA (CIF-IFC)
Forestry Professionals Across Canada Receive World‑Class Professional Development
National Knowledge Exchange Program
Why this Project Matters
This project provides an effective way to support ongoing training of forest professionals who in many cases work in remote areas with limited access to professional development. Forest practitioners who are involved in on-the-ground resource decision making or who do not have direct access to professional development opportunities, will greatly benefit from the Canadian Institute of Forestry’s (CIF) National Knowledge Exchange Program. The program also has a strong focus on engaging and educating youth, because many of the targeted forestry professionals are in the early stages of their careers.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project.It will meet the SFI priority area of training and educating current and future forestry professionals who are engaged in actions affecting the future of our forests. Additionally, an effort will be made to host field tours and workshops in rural forest-dependent communities, where professional development and continuing education opportunities are limited.
Another critical focus of the project will be to increase the awareness of forest practitioners relating to protecting Indigenous values within actively managed forests. This will continue to enhance sustainable forestry practices across Canada, while also encouraging the involvement of Indigenous communities in forest management planning. This goal will be achieved through e-lectures in addition to being a theme or component of field courses.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
CIF will use its robust grassroots connections through its 19 regional sections located across Canada and internationally. CIF acts as a conduit for over 2,000 forestry professionals and forestry or natural resources focused organizations to collaborate, network and promote sustainable forestry practices across Canada and internationally. CIF Sections are well-positioned to understand and identify the needs of working forestry professionals within their areas. This knowledge will be crucial to determine specific themes or topics for field-based workshops. Additionally, CIF Sections will identify topics within their areas that have been underserved with regards to professional development opportunities.
CIF will consult with SFI, partner organizations and sustaining corporate members, including SFI Program Participants, to promote the outcomes and overall goals of the project. They will use this network to identify specific topics or themes to be addressed through virtual learning and field tours and identify potential subject matter experts within the focal areas. CIF’s network includes both federal and provincial government agencies, academic institutions, professional forestry associations, research and development organizations, Indigenous groups, and the forest industry.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, foresters and conservationists.
- Project lead: Canadian Institute of Forestry – Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC)
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- CIF-IFC Cariboo Section, Northern British Columbia
- CIF-IFC Newfoundland and Labrador
- CIF-IFC Rocky Mountain Section
- CIF- IFC Vancouver Island Section
- Strategic Natural Resource Consultants
- FPInnovations
Related Information
About the Canadian Institute of Forestry — Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC)
Established in 1908, the CIF-IFC is the oldest forest society in Canada. It’s a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about our forests and who make a real impact locally and abroad. The Institute serves as the voice of forest practitioners representing foresters, forest technologists and technicians, ecologists, biologists, educators and many others with a professional interest in forestry. The Institute provides national leadership in forestry, promoting competency among forestry professionals, and fostering public awareness of forestry issues. It includes 2,200 members from government, industry, and academia united as the voice of forest practitioners across 19 national sections, and one international section providing local and regional presence.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-cif-ifc/