Forest Education Opportunities
Plan an Event
During National Forest Week (NFW), many volunteers help communities across the province plan and hold events that allow families to learn about the importance of forests, for our health and economy.
Whether it’s a walk in the woods, a talk in the classroom, or a showcase of the ‘critters’ that live in the forest, adults and children alike can see how registered professional foresters manage BC’s forests for a wide range of uses, including recreation, wildlife habitat, forest ecosystem protection, timber harvesting, and other values important to British Columbians.
Considerations when planning an event:
- Who is your audience?
- How will you reach them?
- What resources will you need?
- How will you attract and engage like-minded volunteers?
When starting to plan an event, think about how it will be promoted. It’s helpful to determine if other events are happening in your area and to build on those, rather than try to invent something new. It is better to piggy-back on other community events/celebrations already taking place.
Some examples:
- Local hiking, walking, or exercise groups may like to have a walk in the forest.
- Talk with people via local, culturally-appropriate channels. Ask them what they think would work for their group.
- Community, cultural, and seniors centres often host lecture series; see if they are willing to feature a forest-related lecture during NFW (eg., a local forest professional could give a presentation on forestry to a seniors centre).
- Ask librarians (public and in schools) to feature forests in the library during NFW. You can provide them with a NFW poster and list of appropriate books.
Promote Your Event
NFW Posters
Download promotional postcard (5″ x 7″):
Free Handout Materials
The BC coalition provides a range of free materials you can give away to promote NFW. If you wish to order some of these items, please refer to the images in document attached to the materials request form.
We are grateful to our many sponsors for providing the funds that allow us to develop and purchase these materials, including:
- PDF of a free children’s activity book, Ollie’s Woodlot Adventures, produced by the Federation of BC Woodlots.
- Logging With Splinter, a free children’s activity book produced by Canadian Women in Timber.
Visit the Teach page for a list of teacher resources.
BC Tree Posters
Have you ever wondered what kind of tree was in your backyard, down the street, or in a nearby park or school yard?
Check out our free, full-colour posters of BC coniferous and deciduous trees, available as PDF downloads.
Event Reporting
All events need a reporting form to be completed and submitted. Please download the NFW event reporting form.
Check out all NFW events across Canada (or you can register and promote your own event) on the CIF National Forest Week page.
Additionally, check out our accomplishments reports, as well as the teacher/forester experience summary reports.
Other Forestry Resources and Links
Click on the links to access external forestry resources:
- Alouette River Management Society (ARMS), video: Pollinators – bees and butterflies
- BC Council of Forest Industries: Forest Education Materials
- Project Learning Tree materials
- Forest Professionals BC (FPBC) education materials
- Stream to Sea Program (Fisheries and Ocean)
- Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (conservation-focused materials)
- Aspects of Canadian Forest (CIF teaching kits)
- Forests Ontario: Virtual Labs (environmental education and training labs)
- Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network
- BC Public Service: Forest of Ideas podcast
Need More Help?
Contact your regional coordinator.