Stories from Women in Wood

Over 5 years ago, we decided that it was time to bring women together to celebrate and elevate those working in, with and for the forest and to inspire the next generation of women to consider a place in the woods. At this time, gender was not really being discussed in the forest sector. While there was an overall understanding that there weren’t many females in the sector, it wasn’t something that was identified as an issue, nor were actions being taken to make any change. S

The first time I came across loggersports, I was immediately drawn to it. Three years later, I’m now captain of Lakehead University’s jack and jill timbersports team. Loggersports consist of a multitude of events such as chopping, sawing, cutting, climbing and axe throwing. Collegiate teams from all over Canada travel hundreds and even thousands of kilometers to compete in team, pair, and individual events. Every November, Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario hosts a loggersp

My current role is a Transportation Coordinator with Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac). My main focus is the Retention and Recruitment of professional truck drivers. This role comes at a critical time as there is a national shortage of drivers and log haul is not immune from the shortage. This role is rewarding and challenging; developing strategies to action the barriers related to the image, capacity and sustainability of professional truck driving. So how di

“So…what exactly do you do?” is usually the first response when I tell people that I’m doing a degree in forestry. I don’t blame them as even growing up with a father as a forester I always struggled to clearly explain what Dad’s job was, which can’t have been a great encouragement for others to investigate this career path for themselves. After meeting Lacey at the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) national conference in April, I’ve finally found time four months later

Growing up half my life on the sugar bush-covered St. Joseph’s Island, Ontario and the other half in the heart of the log-driven Ottawa Valley, drilled into my entire being were the benefits of forests and the importance of protecting them. I had spent my childhood exploring the bush, four-wheeling, hiking and [trying] to climb the biggest trees. Eventually I knew that I wanted to work in an industry that would allow me to give back to forests what they have given to me (an