Mark Pearson
Executive Director, Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC)
The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) is inviting all Canadians from coast to coast to celebrate National Forest Week (NFW) from Sept. 20 to 26, 2020, and National Tree Day on Sept. 23, 2020.
Originally established in 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, the campaign underwent various name iterations before being renamed National Forest Week in 1967.
“This national campaign currently coordinated by the CIF-IFC has evolved over the years, but remains first and foremost a challenge to Canadians to learn about Canada’s important forest heritage and to foster appreciation of forests as valuable and renewable resources,” says Mark Pearson, Executive Director of the CIF-IFC. “This year is especially important as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the national campaign.”
Healthy Forests, Healthy Future
The 2020 NFW theme is Healthy Forests, Healthy Future, which highlights forest health and the many ways that healthy forests contribute to healthy people and healthy communities. “This year’s theme recognizes the importance of safeguarding the health of Canada’s forests as a critical nature-based solution to mitigate climate change,” says Pearson. “In these unprecedented times, we encourage Canadians to explore a forest in their community and to take advantage of all the important benefits they provide.”
Participate in NFW by planting a tree, learning about sustainable forest management, or following CIF-IFC social media channels and using the #NationalForestWeek hashtag.
Formed in 1908, the CIF-IFC is the national voice of forest practitioners and others with an interest in forestry and forests. The institute provides national leadership in forestry, promotes competency among forestry professionals, and fosters public awareness of Canadian and international forestry issues.
