Advice for Future Foresters

What advice would you give to someone interested in forestry?

For people interested in forestry, one of the biggest barriers is not knowing where to start, or even what careers exist. Without a personal connection to the field, forestry can feel hard to break into or easy to misunderstand.

But forestry is not a single job or career track. It’s a broad profession with opportunities across management, operations, research, technology, education, and more. The Forestry Foundation Scholars below share advice for anyone curious about forestry and looking for a way in.

Marcus Rutherford, a forester with a family-owned land management company, encourages aspiring foresters to step outside their comfort zones:

“Don’t be afraid to move away. Don’t be afraid to pursue something that just sounds interesting to you. I grew up in a place where forestry wasn’t a big industry, so I went where the opportunities were.

You can always move back home but go see something different first. Whether it’s a job, an internship, or graduate school, don’t be afraid to pick up your life and try something new.”

His experience shows that taking risks and exploring opportunities can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Kate Dimattia, a senior wood procurement buyer, reflects on the kind of people who make forestry so rewarding:

“If you’re drawn to forestry, there’s a reason for it. Let yourself enjoy it and follow that feeling. The people who stay in this field do it because they’re truly passionate about the work, and that’s not something you can say about every career.”

Dimattia’s insight reminds us that passion drives people in forestry, and it’s one of the things that makes the field so rewarding.

Joshua Adams, Program Chair of the forestry program at Louisiana Tech University, emphasizes the value of exploring the field widely:

“Talk to as many people in forestry as you can and learn about different career paths. There’s a misconception that forestry means becoming a park ranger, but the field is so much broader than that.

Do internships, shadow professionals, and find what you are passionate about. Forestry still requires soft skills. You have to talk to people, shake hands, and have real conversations.

It’s the greatest job you could ever hope to have.”

This perspective reflects a reality many students don’t discover until later: forestry combines science, management, and people skills in ways that surprise most newcomers. Exploring the field broadly can help you find the path that fits you best.

Wildfire Training Specialist Brian Sebastian highlights how forestry allows careers to evolve alongside personal interests:

“Go for it! Foresters are great generalists; you're not stuck in one specialty. For example, I have always been interested in aviation

but never saw it as a career. It turns out there's a lot of forestry work that involves aviation and technology, which has let me explore new interests within forestry. A job or education in forestry will provide you with broad experience to make you more adaptable and marketable, but it can also be a new career for folks in a different industry wanting to use their skills for something new.

Also, don't neglect the human element of forest management, whatever that looks like for you. I pursued forestry thinking I would work with trees more than people, but there are a lot of stakeholders in our forests. I've since learned that I'm more effective when I collaborate with others, and there are some great people in this work.”

Sebastian’s experience highlights one of forestry’s greatest strengths: it can evolve alongside your interests, allowing you to explore new skills and opportunities while contributing to meaningful work.

Todd Martin, president and CEO of Southern Loggers Cooperative, sums up the mindset that can help foresters thrive:

“Forestry is a tough but very rewarding career. You have to know that it’s what you want to do, be willing to step out of your comfort zone, and stay open to different sectors of the industry. If you do that, you can move up and grow as far as you want.”

His perspective underscores that growth in forestry comes from staying curious, open, and willing to explore all the opportunities the field offers.

Forestry offers more than a single career path or job title. It’s a field shaped by people with different interests, skills, and backgrounds, whether they come from science, technology, operations, education, or entirely different industries.

The advice shared by these Forestry Foundation Scholars points to a common truth: there’s no single way to become a forester. The most important step is learning what’s possible, asking questions, and finding where your interests align with the work forests need today.

For students considering forestry, exploring different roles, talking with professionals, and gaining hands-on experience can help turn curiosity into a career. For those already in the field, sharing your story and opening doors for others can make a lasting difference.

In the next post, we’ll hear from scholars about what makes them #forestproud, and why this work continues to matter in their careers and communities.

Supporting the Next Generation of Forestry

How did the Forestry Foundation Scholarship impact your journey?

Starting a career in forestry takes more than interest or coursework. For many students, it also requires support, both financial and professional as well as personal, to turn an opportunity into a career.

The Louisiana Forestry Association’s (LFA) Forestry Foundation Scholar program was created to provide that support. Through scholarships and connections to the forestry community, the program helps students navigate the early stages of their education and careers, reducing barriers and opening doors along the way.

In this second of four series, Forestry Foundation Scholars share how the LFA scholarship impacted their journeys, and how that support helped shape the paths they are on today.

Asija Rice: Confidence and Opportunity

For Asija Rice, project forester at the Center for Heirs’ Property, the LFA scholarship provided more than just financial relief; it created the space to grow as a student and a professional.

“When I think about my college experience, people were really taking care of us. That scholarship helped with my cost of living. It gave me the space to grow.”

The mentorship that came alongside the scholarship also played a crucial role:

“After enrolling at Southern University, the LFA mentors stayed in touch and encouraged my growth. That support helped build my confidence, leadership skills, and ability to step into professional roles, experiences that continue to shape my career today.”

Through this support, Rice was able to step fully into leadership opportunities and connect with her community in meaningful ways:

“Being able to touch the community, that’s what makes me forest proud. When we have 150 people coming through museum events, learning about leaf rubbings or fire safety, they leave knowing something they can take home and share.”

Carter Crosby: Building a Career with Support

For Carter Crosby, now the owner of a land and resource company serving private landowners, the scholarship’s impact went far beyond financial assistance.

Photo by Carter Crosby

“The financial support was invaluable, but the scholarship’s impact extended far beyond funding. It gave me a competitive edge when applying for internships and, later, full-time positions. Having the Forestry Foundation Scholarship on my resume helped me stand out and opened doors to opportunities with major timber companies out west. Those internships became the foundation of my career, and I firmly believe the scholarship played a key role in making them possible.”

Crosby’s experience shows how early support can shape long-term careers in forestry. When students are given the resources and encouragement to pursue this work, the impact extends well beyond the classroom into the forests and communities they serve.

Joshua Adams: Preparing for the Future

Joshua Adams, program chair for the Forestry Program at Louisiana Tech University, also experienced the power of LFA support firsthand as a student.

“When I was a freshman, I was intimidated walking into the LFA scholarship interview. They were huge industry professionals. But it was great prep for the future, it gave me confidence for interviews and helped me see what the field really values. LFA stayed in touch through school, checking on us and supporting us every step of the way.”

For Adams, the LFA Forestry Foundation scholarships also provided critical financial support that enabled hands-on learning experiences:

“The LFA scholarships made it possible to participate in summer programs that the state scholarship didn’t fully cover. That funding was a huge relief and allowed me to fully engage in hands-on fieldwork: experiences that shaped my career.”

He sees the same impact in the students he mentors today:

“A lot of my current students are funded through LFA, more than the state scholarship program. It gives them confidence, shows them they belong in forestry, and reduces the stress that can come with pursuing this path.”

Programs like the Forestry Foundation Scholar program demonstrate that investing in students is an investment in the future of forestry. By providing scholarships, mentorship, and encouragement, LFA is reducing financial stress, opening doors, and validating that these students belong in the sector.

For organizations and associations, supporting the next generation of foresters doesn’t have to look the same everywhere, but removing barriers and providing early support can make a lasting difference for students.

For students interested in forestry, scholarships and mentorship opportunities exist across the country. Taking time to research these resources can be an important first step toward a rewarding career in the field.

Why do people choose forestry?

For some, it starts with family. For others, time outdoors, a college class, or a moment when a different future suddenly feels right. There is no single path into forestry, and that is exactly what makes the field strong.

Through the Louisiana Forestry Association’s Forestry Foundation Scholar program, students across generations have been able to explore careers in forestry and turn interests into opportunities. In this first of four series, scholars share what inspired them to choose forestry and pursue this profession.

For Brian Sebastian, now a wildfire training specialist, forestry was familiar from the start.

A handcrew burns and holds a fire line during a burnout operation on a wildfire. Photo courtesy Brian Sebastian.

“My dad was a forester, so I have been exposed to forestry and the outdoors my whole life. In college I tried to pursue other fields, but I kept going back to the outdoors and sought a career there. I chose a degree in forest resource management and worked forestry jobs in the summer. In doing so, I realized that stewardship was one of my core values, which is also important in forest management, so it was a good fit immediately.”

Sebastian’s story reflects a common theme among forestry professionals: early exposure may open the door, and purpose propels people forward into the field.

For Ronald Chance, a forest manager for a timber company and one of the earliest Forestry Foundation Scholars, forestry was not the expected path, but it became the right one.

Chance grew up in Westlake, Louisiana, in a refinery town where most students planned careers in the oil and gas industry. Engineering seemed like a logical future. But time spent visiting family in rural Louisiana hunting, camping, and exploring the woods, began to change how he saw his surroundings and his future.

As college approached, practical realities also shaped his decision. Staying close to home mattered, both financially and personally, and McNeese State University offered a forestry degree. What began as a possibility soon became a calling.

“I kept going back to the forestry curriculum section and wondering if that was the route I should take. I visited one of the forestry professors to learn more, and my interest became more intense. I could not ignore the idea of working in the woods, even though becoming an engineer had long been the plan.”

That decision launched a career in forestry that has spanned decades; one rooted in stewardship and a connection to forests.

Graphic created and provided by Maxwell Brown

For Maxwell Brown, a student at Southern University studying urban forestry, inspiration comes from curiosity and connection to the outdoors.

“I find inspiration in being outdoors. Spending time in forests, parks, or just exploring my surroundings helps me think clearly, stay curious, and stay motivated to learn and make a difference.”

Brown’s focus on urban forestry highlights how the profession continues to evolve, bringing trees and forest management into cities and communities.

These stories show just how many ways people find their way into forestry. Whether it starts with a family's influence, a love of the outdoors, a desire to see more trees in urban spaces, or a shift away from an expected career path, forestry offers room to grow.

From field-based work and wildfire response to technology, urban forestry, policy, and management, the profession needs people with different skills and perspectives. If you care about forests and the communities connected to them, there is a place for you in forestry.

In upcoming posts, we will share more Forestry Foundation Scholar stories, highlighting how education and support continue to shape the next generation of forestry professionals.

Wood Innovation Series Look-Back: 2025

In 2025, the Wood Innovation film series, supported by the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program, highlighted how innovative uses of wood are strengthening forest management, supporting rural economies, and helping communities meet real-world needs. Through two short films and accompanying educational campaigns, the series explored how creating markets for low-value wood can benefit forests and the people who depend on them.

Fueling the Future: Bioenergy and Forest Resilience

Our first film, Fueling the Future, explored the role of bioenergy across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maryland. Forest management is costly, and in many parts of the East Coast there are limited markets for low-value wood, material that makes up the majority of a harvested tree.

Only about 30 percent of a tree becomes a traditional sawlog. The remaining 70 percent, tops, limbs, and smaller-diameter material, requires a viable market to support sustainable forest management. Wood energy helps fill that gap.

The film follows a tour of a bioenergy facility with Froling Energy, where key decision-makers were able to see wood energy systems in action. Vermont and New Hampshire have been national leaders in adopting wood energy solutions for more than two decades, building on a model long used in Europe but still emerging in the United States.

Fueling the Future also features local businesses, like Vermont Glove, using automated wood pellet boiler systems to heat their buildings. These systems have significantly offset energy costs while keeping energy dollars local, approximately 80 cents of every dollar spent stays within 30 miles of where the wood is sustainably sourced.

By providing a market for low-value wood, bioenergy supports healthier, more resilient forests while keeping communities economically strong and closely connected to the land that sustains them.

From Forests to Communities: Wood Products with Purpose

Our second film, From Forests to Communities, tells the story of how forests in Maine are continuing to care for their communities through innovative wood products.

The film highlights TimberHP, a local wood fiber insulation manufacturer using low-value wood, particularly softwood chips once destined for paper mills, to create a high-performance, renewable insulation product. These chips are refined, dried, and bonded into insulation that regulates moisture, allows buildings to breathe, and outperforms many traditional materials. The series also examined how wood fiber insulation is being applied in a real-world project.

In partnership with the NorthernForest Center, a wood-first approach was used to rehabilitate the historic Gehring House. The project incorporated restored wood finishes, TimberHP’s wood fiber insulation, and automated wood pellet boilers to create much-needed housing for the local community.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the 2025 Wood Innovation Series, a clear theme emerges: when communities take care of their forests, forests can take care of their communities.

By supporting innovative wood products, creating markets for low-value wood, and strengthening local economies, these projects demonstrate how thoughtful forest stewardship contributes to resilient forests and thriving communities, today and for generations to come.

Rooted in Purpose: UW-Stevens Point's SAF Student Chapter

At the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP), the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Student Chapter is shaping the next generation of forestry through a blend of skill-building, service, and hands-on learning. What begins as an academic interest quickly grows into something deeper: a community built from stewardship and shared purpose.

A Mission That Extends Beyond the Classroom

The chapter’s mission is to teach practical forestry skills and techniques, prepare students for UWSP forestry skill evaluations, help students connect with forestry professionals, share internships and job opportunities, and promote the UWSP forestry program.

This mission guides everything they do, but the way this chapter brings these goals to life is the real inspiration. Students deepen their knowledge beyond the classroom through experiences that take them directly into the forest. They participate in forestry skills competitions, tree-identification walks for students, tour forestry businesses to explore real-world career paths, and help local property owners with tree planting. Students also attend state conferences and the annual SAF National Convention, expanding their professional network across the country and connecting to the broader forestry community.

Service as a Way of Learning

Service plays a critical role in the chapter’s culture. In the past year, members planted 2,500 trees in a single week, collected red pine seed cones for the Wisconsin DNR nursery program, and spent time cleaning local highways. They also crafted wooden benches for a local daycare, demonstrating how forestry skills can directly benefit local communities.

Their involvement in the Kretz Forestry Festival gave students a chance to meet private landowners, connect with forestry professionals, and tour a working sawmill. This experience linked classroom concepts to in-the-field practices.

A Community Growing Together

The UWSP SAF Student Chapter is a training ground for future foresters who understand that stewardship is both a responsibility and a privilege. Through hands-on projects and giving back to their local community, these students are building the skills that will guide them throughout their careers.

We are #forestproud to share their stories of students finding their purpose and inspiring the next generation of foresters to follow.

How Vermont is Growing Forests and Communities

Imagine a landscape blanketed in trees as far as the eye can see, where vibrant maples, spruces, and birches stretch across rolling hills and quiet valleys. Welcome to Vermont, one of the most forested states in the US, with 78% of its land covered in trees. But these forests are not just beautiful; they are essential to the state’s economy, communities, and way of life.

In our latest #forestproud vlog, we spoke with Oliver P., Director of the Vermont Division of Forests, and Katharine S., Forest Economy Program Manager, to learn how Vermont is managing its forests for both people and nature.

Forests and Communities Taking Care of Each Other

Oliver leads a team focused on managing public lands, supporting private landowners, and helping cities maintain healthy urban forests. Katharine works on the business side of forestry, connecting foresters and loggers with markets for their products and ensuring the forest economy thrives. Together, they shared how Vermont keeps that balance between recreation, conservation, and economic growth through active forest management.

Vermont’s forests contribute $2.1 billion to the state’s economy each year. That includes everything from high-quality timber to low-grade wood used for heating and energy. Low-grade wood, like branches and smaller logs that might otherwise go unused, plays a key role in keeping forests healthy. By thinning trees and sustainably harvesting this wood, Vermont maintains wildlife habitat, protects water quality, and supports landowners while providing energy to local communities. It is a model that shows how healthy forests and healthy economies go hand in hand.

Local Wood, Local Good

Did you know that 1 in 5 public school students in Vermont attend a school heated with wood? These schools save 18% on annual heating costs, a critical benefit in rural districts. Through programs like “Feel Good Heat” and “Wood Warms,” Vermont ensures that wood energy is accessible and supports low-income households, even providing cords of wood from state timber sales to families in need. For more than 50 years, these programs have connected the state’s forests with the people who rely on them, helping communities while keeping forests intact.

Vermont and Maryland: Fueling the Future

Vermont’s work does not stop at its borders. Katharine emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge across states, like collaborating with colleagues in Maryland through projects such as Fueling the Future. These partnerships help ensure forests remain forests while supporting the people and industries that depend on them. Watch the Wood Innovations Program film here

Vermont’s forests are more than trees; they are the roots of strong communities, a renewable source of energy, and a living example of how people and forests can grow together. Watch our full conversation with Oliver and Katharine to see how forests and communities grow together here

From Forest to Communities

Healthy forests and thriving communities go hand in hand. From Forests to Communities, the latest Wood Innovations film, highlights how innovative wood products are strengthening local economies, creating sustainable housing solutions, and connecting people to the benefits of working forests. This story-driven documentary showcases the partnerships and possibilities that emerge when we invest in both our forests and the communities that depend on them.

Maine’s forests are more than timber, they’re a source of innovation, community, and economic opportunity. The film shows how sustainably harvested wood supports healthy forests, stores carbon, and strengthens local economies.

The film features TimberHP, a Maine-based company producing high-performance wood fiber insulation from sustainably harvested forest products. Supported by the USDA Forest Service’s Wood Innovation Program and Community Wood Grants, TimberHP is creating healthier buildings, boosting the local workforce, and revitalizing the forest products economy.

Also highlighted is the Northern Forest Center’s renovation of the historic Gehring House in Bethel, Maine. By using locally sourced wood, salvaged materials, automated wood pellet boilers, and innovative wood-first products like TimberHP insulation, the project provides critical housing while promoting sustainable forest management.

Together, these stories demonstrate the Wood Innovation Program’s commitment to investing in innovation, supporting communities, and connecting healthy forests to a thriving forest products economy. Watch the film now!

Seeing Fire Differently: Red Feather Lakes Walk and Talk

#forestproud out in the field! Fire is a part of life in northern Colorado, and for communities like Red Feather Lakes, it’s both a risk and a tool. Recently, our project manager, Alyssa Stewart-Lambert, joined residents for a “Walk and Talk” hosted by the Red Feather Lakes Community Library. Together, they explored a nearby prescribed burn project and learned what it means to live in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), how fire shapes the forests around them, and what stewardship looks like in this landscape.
Prescribed fire can be complex and sometimes controversial, but when we break down the science into We Speak Forests language, the benefits are clear: healthier forests, safer communities, and a more resilient future.

Living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)

Residents of the Red Feather Lakes area live in a zone known as the Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI (pronounced woo-eee). It’s where human development meets wild ecosystems, forests, grasslands, and other natural areas overlapping with homes and businesses. Living in the WUI brings beauty and connection to nature, but it also significantly increases the risk of wildfire ignition and spread. That makes prevention and mitigation efforts essential.

What Kind of Forest is Red Feather Lakes?

Red Feather Lakes sits in Colorado’s upper montane forest zone, between about 8,000 and 10,000 feet. These forests are a mix of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and quaking aspen. Historically, upper montane forests experienced frequent, low-intensity fires that cleared out underbrush, kept stands more open, and created diverse habitats for wildlife.

But decades of fire suppression have changed that balance, allowing fuels to build up and stands to grow denser, making today’s wildfires burn hotter and spread faster. That’s why prescribed burning, which reintroduces fire under controlled conditions, is such a powerful tool in these forests.

Lessons from Recent Fires

The Red Feather Lakes community knows wildfire risk all too well. Two of Colorado’s largest wildfires in history have impacted the area in the past decade:

2012 High Park Fire – Burned 87,415 acres, destroyed more than 250 homes, claimed one life, and caused $113 million in damages.

2020 Cameron Peak Fire – Burned 208,913 acres across 112 days, destroyed 492 homes, and became the largest wildfire in Colorado history.

Yet even in the midst of destruction, there was a success story. On the northeastern flank of the Cameron Peak Fire, flames stopped at a “ribbon” of treated forest, an area where prescribed burning and thinning had been done on both public and private lands. Local videographer Evan Barrientos documented this striking example of proactive management in a short film (Watch it HERE)

The Magic Feather Project

From these lessons, the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn Project was born. This large-scale effort is a partnership between the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW).

Together, they’re working to treat 6,329 acres in northern Colorado, creating another strategic “ribbon” of protection across Forest Service and non-Forest Service lands.

The project’s goals include:

Reducing the buildup of brush and branches that fuel intense wildfires.

Restoring ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer stands to more natural conditions

Retaining and encouraging old-growth characteristics

Improving wildlife habitat

Work began in 2023, and about 24% is complete. Community perspectives remain mixed, which is understandable given the scars left by two record-breaking wildfires. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce wildfire risk, but it’s also one of the hardest to talk about. (Learn more about the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn Project HERE)

Seeing Fire Differently: The Walk and Talk

The Red Feather Library hosted its Walk and Talk on the Lady Moon Trail in the Roosevelt National Forest, where portions of the Magic Feather Project are underway. Alyssa led a group of locals through a recently prescribed burn to see what the forest looked like a year later.

What they found was resilience:

The canopy opened, letting in more sunlight

Understory vegetation thriving

Aspen groves regenerating with dozens of new seedlings

Wildlife corridors reopening for movement and migration

Far from destruction, the prescribed burn had given the forest a fresh start.

Why Prescribed Burning Matters

The benefits of prescribed burning are numerous:

Keeps wildfires smaller and less severe by reducing the buildup of dry brush, branches, and dead trees that can fuel megafires.

Gives trees a chance to regrow. Fire helps pinecones release seeds and sparks new shoots in aspen groves, bringing young forests to life.

Creates better habitat for wildlife by opening the forest floor for grasses, flowers, and shrubs that feed elk, deer, birds, and pollinators.

Recycles nutrients back into the soil by turning dead wood and leaves into fertilizer that helps new plants thrive.
Restores a forest’s natural rhythm. For thousands of years, these forests have relied on periodic, low-intensity fires to stay balanced. Prescribed burns bring that cycle back.

By reintroducing fire thoughtfully, land managers are helping forests regain their natural resilience. And during the Walk and Talk, residents saw those benefits in action. In the burn area, the ground was dotted with fresh green sprouts of grasses and wildflowers pushing up through the ash. Young aspen shoots were already reclaiming the forest floor, their bright leaves catching the light. A Hairy Woodpecker darted among the standing snags, tapping for insects in the fire-killed trees, a reminder that even burned wood has a role in the ecosystem, providing food and shelter for countless species. The group also noticed how much cleaner the forest floor looked, with fewer downed branches and dense tangles of dead wood that could otherwise fuel future wildfires. Rather than a scar, the burn area felt alive, a living example of how fire, when planned and guided, can be a force for renewal.

Reframing Fire: A Closing Reflection

Alyssa closed the Walk and Talk discussion with this takeaway:

“I know we’ve all lived through devastating wildfires, and those memories can be difficult to revisit. But it’s important to remember: not all fires are bad. As residents of these forests, we have a responsibility to steward the land and understand what it needs to stay healthy. By learning to also see fire as a new beginning, especially in the context of prescribed burning, we can start to recognize it as a positive force. Forests are resilient, and so are we.”

A big thank-you to the Red Feather Lakes Community Library for hosting this Walk and Talk and giving us the opportunity to We Speak Forests in action. Bringing science off the page and into the community, right where it matters most.

Inspiring the Next Generation

We love seeing #forestproud make a real-world impact, and one recent project out of Wisconsin is a perfect example of what happens when content, education, and mission-driven organizations come together.

Last fall, Into the Outdoors, an Emmy Award-winning “edutainment” series focused on outdoor and science education, teamed up with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the LEAF program (Wisconsin’s K–12 Forestry Education Program), the USDA Forest Service – Forest Products Lab, and the Wood Innovations Program to launch a new video series celebrating the importance of forests and forest products in our daily lives.

Timed with Forest Products Month in October 2024, the series was designed to inspire young minds, support classroom learning, and raise awareness of how forests shape our communities and our future.

Turning #forestproud Content into Curriculum

One of the new episodes was directly inspired by our own #forestproud article, Wood Innovations: Shifting from Plastics to Planet. (Read the HERE) The story was adapted for younger audiences and transformed into a dynamic classroom lesson tailored for elementary students, making abstract ideas accessible and exciting for kids.

This type of translation from story to screen to school is exactly the kind of impact we’re proud to support.

A Collaborative Mission

Into the Outdoors began as a collaboration between Discover MediaWorks and the Wisconsin DNR, with a shared goal of getting kids away from screens and into nature. Over time, the partnership has grown, and today, it includes ongoing work to promote sustainable forestry, forest products, and the future of the forest workforce.

According to the producers, the video series reached more than 800,000 viewers across traditional and streaming platforms, not including PBS distribution. The episodes and lessons were shared with hundreds of schools, educators, and students throughout the region via trusted education platforms such as the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) and Stride, Inc.

Supporting Classrooms and Communities

Gina Smith, Resource Specialist for the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education and the College of Natural Resources at UW–Stevens Point, shared: “Driven by our goal of enriching students and sustaining forests, LEAF was excited to create hands-on lessons for students of all ages to support the new Into the Outdoors Forest Products and Wood Education episodes. We’ve enjoyed sharing the episodes and lessons with over 6,000 Wisconsin educators via conferences, workshops, and our newsletter, the LEAFlet.”

She added a quote from LEAF’s long-time DNR partner, Kirsten Held, who said it best: "Young people and natural resources are Wisconsin’s greatest assets. Together, we have the privilege of supporting the growth of both so they thrive and continue to support our state in the future.”

Positive Feedback and Growing Impact

Hailey Rose of Into the Outdoors noted the strong response from the education and forestry communities alike: “The response has been incredibly positive. The forestry community has embraced these topics, recognizing them as essential conversations for both current and future generations. Educators and students alike have found the content engaging and relevant.”

She added: “Our team remains deeply committed to supporting the forest industry and is always seeking new partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our passion. Moving forward, we plan to focus on topics such as technology, workforce recruitment, environmental stewardship, and responsible forest management. We are proud to be part of the #forestproud community and look forward to continuing this important work.”

Interested in seeing the lessons? View the curriculum bundle here

Real-World Impact, Real Future

Real-world impact is at the heart of what we do at #forestproud. We’re honored to collaborate with partners like Into the Outdoors, LEAF, and the Wisconsin DNR, organizations that are not only amplifying the value of forestry but also inspiring the next generation to see themselves as stewards of the land.

Read more about this series and Into the Outdoors here

Together, We Speak Forests, to inspire, to educate, and to grow the next generation of stewards.

Shaping the Future of Forests: Spotlight

At #forestproud, we are spotlighting the people who shape the future of forests, and an organization that embodies that commitment fully is the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) As SFI is celebrating their 30 year anniversary, we’re proud to celebrate their work as a driving force behind sustainable forestry across North America.

Founded in 1994, SFI is a nonprofit organization tackling sustainability challenges both locally and globally. What makes SFI stand out is their people-centered approach. SFI brings together a diverse coalition of people, ranging from local communities and educators to Indigenous leaders, conservationists, and landowners. Together, they are building a future where forests and the people who depend on them thrive.

Earlier this year, SFI hosted its annual conference in Minneapolis, MN, themed “Innovating for Forests and Communities.” This gathering of thought leaders and changemakers across the sector focused on some of the most pressing issues facing forestry today.

How do we build and support a future forester workforce?

What does innovation look like for the future of our forests?

How can communities be active partners in forest stewardship?

Dan Lambe, SFI Board Chair, captured the spirit of the gathering in his remarks to first-time attendees:
“You are surrounded by friends, allies, peers, and they want to know you, they want to learn from you, they want to connect with you.”
He reminded everyone why this moment matters:
“It is the time for trees, it is the time for forests, and if there was ever a time for a conference like this, now is the time.”

The conference was not just a reflection on where we are, it was a call to action on where we want to go, collectively. Attendees explored the intersection of technology and forestry, the importance of diversity in conservation, and the powerful role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in sustainable forestry practices.

One of the most inspiring takeaways from the event? Sustainable forestry is not just about trees; it is about people. It is about educators inspiring future foresters. The Tribal Nation's leading with centuries of wisdom. The landowners who steward their forests for the next generation. Innovators who are finding new ways to make forestry more resilient and equitable.

And it is about the rising generation, those just beginning their careers, ready to lead. Sébastien Niemi, Forestry Liaison Specialist for the Michipicoten First Nation, spoke directly to youth delegates with a powerful reminder:
“The phrase 'standing on the shoulders of giants;’ that’s you. You have the power to help people see further than they could before.”

We are grateful to have SFI as a partner and sponsor in this work. As they celebrate three decades of impact, we look forward to the next chapter, one that continues to center communities, elevate diverse voices, and champion sustainable solutions for people, products, and planet.

You can learn more about SFI's conference and see highlights here: https://forests.org/2025-sfi-ac-highlights/