Colin Carroll
President, CIF-IFC
The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) is the oldest forest society in Canada, founded in 1908. As the national voice of forest practitioners, one of the institute’s primary objectives is to foster public awareness of Canadian and international forestry issues through nation-wide campaigns.
“An important national campaign of the CIF-IFC is National Forest Week (NFW), which will be celebrated this year from September 22 to 28,” says Colin Carroll, President of the CIF-IFC. The institute offers promotional products including posters and postcards free of charge to organizations and individuals celebrating NFW across Canada.
Originally established in 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, it was later renamed in 1967 to what it’s known as today. “NFW encourages Canadians from coast to coast to foster appreciation of forests as important renewable resources and to learn more about Canada’s forest heritage,” says Carroll.
The 2019 NFW theme is Canada’s Forests: Diverse Outdoor Classrooms, which focuses on the endless learning opportunities that Canada’s vast and diverse forests provide. “This year’s theme recognizes the environmental, economic, and social value of sustainably-managed forests in helping grow resilient and adaptive communities,” explains Carroll.
There are many ways that Canadians can participate in NFW including: organizing a tree plant, touring a forest sector processing site/mill or industry, exploring a forest near their home, or learning about sustainable forest management.
