We're making sure there is room for everyone in forestry.
Through a partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (International) and their North American affiliates, we are pleased to be supporting each other to address workplace culture issues in the forest sector.
FSC International has endorsed our online training course that helps people and organizations with shifting their workplace culture to be welcoming to all! 🌱
Resistance to workplace culture change is not new. We have learned first hand of the challenging dynamics that are within the forest sector and are committed to bringing awareness to the issues that are impeding many people from entering and staying in the sector.
Our goal is simple - build a stronger, more inclusive workplace culture where everyone can thrive and reach their potential, without interference.
We can move #ForestryForward and improve workplace culture in the forest sector with your support.
The Free to Grow in Forestry initiative aims to achieve gender equality and meaningful inclusion of equity-deserving groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, new Canadians, global majorities, 2SLGBTQI+, people living with disabilities) at all levels from technical to executive level positions in the forest sector.
The initiative is an unprecedented collaboration that was launched in 2018 as a result of the Gender Equity in Canada’s Forest Sector National Action Plan Initiative, spearheaded by the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Centre for Social Intelligence, with strategic guidance from the National Steering Committee of forest sector leaders (comprised of public, private, not-for-profit, acadamia and Indigenous groups).
The forest sector plays an important role in Canada’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands of people each year and supporting many communities from coast to coast. While we’ve made some progress in advancing gender equality since this initiative started (from 17 to 19% women), there’s more work to be done.
Inclusion is crucial to the advancement of a thriving and resilient forest sector. As we continue to grow and change, we all have a role to play in making this sector a place where everyone has the support they need to succeed and thrive without interference.
Be Part of a Positive Workplace Culture
Take the Free to Grow in Forestry Online Training
The FTG Online Training Program is a 4-part series of adult e-learning modules designed to provide members of the forest sector with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to navigate the complexities of fostering a positive workplace culture.
The training does not have any blame, shame or jargon, and is simple and straightforward. It takes the user from the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations on inequality, to the boardroom, to the individual, providing greater understanding that this is not the “flavour of the month” issue, but a business imperative.
It is mobile friendly, dynamic and engaging and is guaranteed to shift mindsets from “not my problem” to “I now see I have a role to play and know what to do.”
Join the Free to Grow in Forestry Movement
Our Pillars
To achieve this vision in Canada, we developed a Framework for Action with three key pillars of activity.
Our first phase of action (2018-2021) we moved the conversation at the national level from “Vision to Action” and developed the National Action Plan with the engagement of the public, private, not-for-profit, academia and Indigenous groups.
We were encouraged to keep going, so we moved into the regional level during our second phase (2021-24) and went from “Action to Traction” and created many assets including effective online training that helps the current workforce with shifting their workplace culture to be welcoming to all people.
And now? Well, the interest in supporting this initiative is moving to a global network. We are excited for what awaits!
Building the
Evidence Base
We’ve collected and analyzed data to identify how we can advance all people in the Canadian forest sector. In an unprecedented move, we engaged with universities, provincial forest organizations and pulled Statistics Canada data to understand the gaps in employment for women, Indigenous peoples and new immigrants across the sector.
Fostering an
Inclusive Culture
We’ve created resources to help the sector overcome workplace culture challenges. These resources were developed with input from the public, private, not-for-profit, Indigenous and academic communities. See our online training course for more info.
Repositioning
the Sector
We’re advocating, promoting and reporting on progress toward gender equality. With targeted communication campaigns to attract and retain women to the forest sector, as well as campaigns to educate the current workforce on the benefits of diversity and inclusion, we’re working to reposition the sector so that it is welcoming to all people.
We need your help. Find out how you can spread the word about
the importance of inclusion and keep the momentum going.
This initiative supports the recruitment, retention and advancement of women, Indigenous and new Canadians in Canada’s diverse and dynamic forest sector, and is the first of its kind.
Committed to the Movement
