Rooted in Strength: Our Forestry Technician Program Enters Its 58th Year and Growing

Posted on Sunday, September 14th, 2025

Since 1967, our Forestry Technician program has stood as a pillar of applied education in the natural resources sector. Over nearly six decades, it has shaped countless graduates who walk into the woods, the mills, conservation agencies, and government environmental departments at all levels. In doing so, the program has strengthened our region and the broader stewardship of Canada’s forests. This fall, as students return to campus, the program is thriving, evolving, and more relevant than ever.

From the first cohort in 1967 to this year’s new students, the Forestry Technician program has been grounded in immersive, practical training. A significant amount of the curriculum is delivered in the field, giving students real forests to work in, inventory, practice best management, and nurture a deep connection to our forest ecosystems. Our students also benefit from learning experiences at the Petawawa Research Forest, a federally operated site with over a century of history in forest science and management. It offers unparalleled access to diverse forest types and research opportunities, reinforcing our program’s strong ties between education and the forestry profession.

Alumna Sionaid Eggett, now working with the Ontario Woodlot Association, recalls the importance of this hands-on approach, “I was greatly attracted to the amount of hands-on in the field learning Algonquin had to offer … Never have I worked in an environment that is so uplifting, where everyone cares about your journey.” Her words echo what students experience today, an environment where mentorship, applied skills, and community spirit make all the difference.

In Canada, the forest sector remains a major contributor to the economy and to sustainable development. The latest State of Canada’s Forests report gives a 2023 figure of $36.2 billion for Canada’s forest product exports, while Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy calls for cultivating the next generation of professionals to ensure sustainable forest management. Forestry provides employment, ecological stewardship, and vital resources, making trained graduates more essential than ever.

As Program Coordinator Peter Arbour explains, “Our Forestry Technician program is built on decades of field tradition, evolving technology, and professional mentorship. Each year, I see students arrive with curiosity and leave with confidence, ready to step into roles managing forests, monitoring health, and contributing to sustainable landscapes. It’s not just about teaching forestry; it’s about creating stewards of the land who will serve our forests for years to come.”

Industry, too, continues to see the value in forestry education. This year, two of our current students, Reed Griese and Ava Newcombe, were named recipients of the prestigious Schulich Builders Scholarship. Their recognition not only celebrates their personal achievements but also affirms the importance of investing in skilled forestry professionals who will carry the sector forward.

What makes the program robust today is its adaptability. The curriculum integrates both traditional forestry foundations and modern tools such as GIS mapping, remote sensing, and forest health assessment. Our proximity to Algonquin Park and partnerships with organizations such as the Petawawa Research Forest and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories ensure that students encounter diverse and real-world conditions.

Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

This combination of heritage and innovation has enabled graduates to secure meaningful employment across the Valley and beyond, contributing to municipal planning, ecological restoration, forest management, and renewable resource management.

As older generations of forestry professionals retire, the demand for skilled technicians is growing. Our program is uniquely positioned to meet that demand by producing graduates who not only understand forestry as an industry but also embrace it as a calling to care for the land. The stories of alumni like Sionaid, the recognition of students like Reed and Ava, and the leadership of faculty like Peter and all the Forestry professors actively working in the industry affirm that the future of forestry education at Pembroke Campus is both strong and sustainable.

From its founding in 1967 to the present, our Forestry Technician program has withstood the test of time with consistently high enrolments each year, not by resting on its legacy alone, but by evolving, adapting, and deepening its roots in both the land and the community. As forests face changing climates, pests, land pressures, and shifting socio-ecological demands, the connections and skills that the Algonquin College Forestry Technician Program offers are needed more than ever.

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