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VOLUNTEER
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Tracy Andrews, RPF, manager of audits and investigations for the BC Forest Practices Board, volunteers through the NFW-BC Coalition.

Inspiring the Next Generation: How Tracy Andrews, RPF, is Cultivating a Future for Forestry

By Caitlin Edwards

Through her volunteer efforts with National Forest Week (NFW), Tracy Andrews, RPF, is bringing forestry to life for the next generation.

Whether organizing a pancake breakfast or running school trips, she wants young people, and others, to see forestry as she does: a field rooted in relationships, values, and responsibility.

“It’s not just about cutting down trees,” says Tracy, manager of audits and investigations for the BC Forest Practices Board. “It’s about managing for all the values that forests provide: wildlife habitat, cultural significance, recreation, water quality, climate regulation.”

She shares that message through her work with the NFW-BC Coalition, emphasizing the interconnectedness of forestry with other professions — geoscientists, biologists, ecologists — and with Indigenous knowledge and stewardship.

“I want kids to realize how amazing a career in forestry can be; forestry is so much more than people think.”

NFW aims to support forest education and awareness, helping co-ordinate professional foresters to lead school and community events and by providing free classroom learning materials.

Getting Started

Tracy’s involvement with NFW began in 2006 through her work at the South Island Natural Resource District in Port Alberni. At the time, the district hosted an annual pancake breakfast and open house, bringing together forestry professionals, wildfire crews, and community members to celebrate the forest sector.

“There was already this great event happening,” she says, “and I just started helping out.”

A few years later, Tracy began organizing and hosting a field trip for Grade 5 students at McLean Mill National Historic Site. The event involved local organizations, forest companies, First Nations, and volunteers — all coming together to give students a hands-on introduction to forestry.

She continued volunteering with NFW after moving to Ucluelet in 2018 to start work with the Forest Practices Board, scaling it to fit her new community while preserving the same core goals: exposure, education, and inspiration. Partnering with local schools and non-profits, including the Raincoast Education Society, she has helped create meaningful learning experiences tailored for elementary school students — a pathway into the profession.

Making a Connection

Tracy’s path into forestry wasn’t born of a childhood dream, but rather a curiosity sparked during her post-secondary studies. After taking a geomorphology course and developing a keen interest in landforms and aerial photo interpretation, she enrolled at BCIT, drawn by course descriptions that hinted at fieldwork and environmental exploration.

“What I didn’t fully realize,” she says, laughing, “was that forestry involved a lot more than just logging. It was about planning, silviculture, GIS, resource management, all of it. But I loved it.”

Her early career took her through the private sector and into government, eventually leading her to the Forest Practices Board. Throughout her career, what has kept her engaged is the diversity and complexity of the field.

“You could do a different type of job in forestry every few years and never do the same job twice,” she explains. “That’s why I’ve stayed; it’s always evolving, and I’m always learning.”

Tracy has learned that the true effects of her forestry outreach aren’t always immediate or measurable — but she believes in the power of exposure.

She recalls one activity, run by foresters from TimberWest (now Mosaic) — where children were shown everyday items made from forest products, such as toothpaste, books, and gum.

“That kind of activity made a big impact,” she reflects. “It helped make the connection between forests and their daily lives.”

Looking Ahead

Through such engagement, Tracy hopes to spark curiosity and open minds — especially in a world where forestry can sometimes be met with skepticism or misunderstanding.

Her current focus is on elementary school students. She’s considering expanding her efforts to include high school audiences, especially as her own children grow older.

“High school students are at that stage where they’re thinking about careers,” she adds. “If we can reach them at the right time, we might help them see forestry as a real option.”

Tracy also encourages other forest professionals to get involved in NFW, which takes place September 21-27 this year. It doesn’t take much to make a difference, she stresses.

“You don’t have to do something huge. Just show up. Share your story. Let students know why the forest matters to you. That authenticity is what sticks with people.”