Meet Maya Rosandic, Forestry Technician and Urban Forestry – Arboriculture Grad

Posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026

Sept. 20–26, 2026 marks National Forest Week (NFW) across Canada. Coordinated nationally by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC), this annual event celebrates Canada’s forest heritage and raises awareness about sustainable forest management.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has a long-standing history of training forestry industry leaders through the Urban Forestry – Aboriculture and Forestry Technician programs, partnering with several organizations in the Ottawa Valley to create hands-on experiences for learners.

“The CIF-IFC is a voice for forestry practitioners across Canada, and we are proud of our longstanding relationships with colleges and universities, including Algonquin College and its forestry program. Through initiatives such as the Silver Ring Ceremony and by welcoming graduates into local sections, such as the Algonquin Section, we help connect emerging professionals with the broader forestry community and the institute at large. During National Forest Week, we celebrate our forests and the people who will help shape their future. Maya Rosandic is one of those emerging professionals, whom we are proud to see embark on a challenging and rewarding career in forestry,” said Dean Assinewe, President, Canadian Institute of Forestry.

Maya Rosandic is a graduate of both the Urban Forestry- Aboriculture and Forestry Technician programs.

“I love being outside and working outside. Growing up in the Ottawa Valley, my childhood home was on a piece of land, so I was interested in learning more about how to manage it, and the Pembroke Campus is not far from home,” she explained.

Although she is early in her career, Rosandic has racked up impressive and varied experience working in the industry. After starting the Urban Forestry program in 2023, Rosandic has since worked as an arborist, a technician in the Urban Forestry on-campus and coached the school’s logger sports team, who took home first place in several events at a competition earlier this year. She returned to school to continue her education and complete the 2-year Forestry Technician program and has worked as a Wildland Firefighter in the town of Wawa, Ontario.

“It’s very fulfilling to coordinate the Forestry Technician Program at Algonquin College for a number of reasons. I get to interact with engaged and passionate students that understand the positive difference they can make to our forest by learning the skills to be good stewards of it. Maya is an excellent example of the type of student that graduates from the program-smart, curious and highly skilled,” said Peter Arbour, Program Coordinator, Forestry Technician program, Algonquin College Pembroke Campus.

“Before I started in the Urban Forestry program, 2023 was a big year for wildfire presence in and around the Ottawa Valley. I saw the impact. Once I started school, I had other friends in the program who were interested in fighting wildfires and learning more about it,” she explained.

Rosandic explained that some of the certificates needed to work in wildland firefighting, SP102 and SP100, are blended into the Fire Management Course in the program.

“The firefighting industry and education continue to evolve. In the past few years, the approach has shifted from fire prevention to prescribed fires as a management tool,” she said. “Ontario is struggling retain qualified firefighters., I wanted to help and be involved.”

Forestry is a male-dominated field, but Rosandic shares the biggest barrier is one’s own attitude.

“It may be intimidating, but anyone can do it. Anyone can learn these skills if you push yourself and believe in yourself. The industry has been welcoming,” she explained.

The Urban Forestry-Arboriculture and Forestry Technician programs are offered through Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

To learn more about National Forestry Week visit the Canadian Institute of Forestry.

Rosandic was featured in an Urban Forestry – Arboriculture program video in 2024.

Watch the video below:


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