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About the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC)
===History of the CIF/IFC ===

In Canada, prior to the 1900’s, forestry was understood as logging and clearing forests for development. It wasn’t recognized as a profession, and there were few supporting organizations. In 1908, something happened that would change the course of forestry history, and that of Canada. It was in March of that year in Montreal, Quebec, that the annual meeting of the Canadian Forestry Association launched the beginning of The Canadian Society of Forest Engineers (CSFE). The “father of North American forestry”, Bernard Fernow, founded CSFE and became its first president. The society’s main objective was to develop an esprit de corps among forest professionals. It was this Society, which would eventually become the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) that would become the lead for forest professionals and would pursue sustainable practices for the next century in Canada and around the world.

Originally an “Old Boys Club”, many of the original gatherings took place as “Smokings”, where bonds were made in an informal environment filled with friendly debates and banter. The line between “forester” and “forest professional” was blurry for decades, and the society gained a reputation for being comprised of and catering only to foresters, even though 4 of the 10 Charter members of the Canadian Society of Forest Engineers were not foresters. With the increase in ecological and technological knowledge, new disciplines in forestry opened up. By the 1960’s, forest technicians, wildlife biologists, forest ecologists, and a variety of other occupations were employed in forestry. In 1980, the Institute clarified that people in all forest professions were welcome as members.

In the 1910s, people in North America were agitating for worker and civil rights. They were concerned about social justice, equality, and public safety. The Society promoted the emerging topics of forest conservation, education, and protection. However, a large part of the decade was overtaken by World War One, and the Canadian Society of Forest Engineers immediately responded to Canada’s call to arms. An impressive fifteen percent of the entire Society was either at the front or overseas, a percentage exceeding any other profession in Canada in 1916, showing the passion, dedication, and pride that forest professionals held for their country.

The “Roaring Twenties” was a time of economic growth that led to the development of federal and provincial departments and ministries with the Society playing an influential role in their development, such as the start of the Department of Natural Resources in New Brunswick. The Society was influential in getting the National Research Council of Canada to recognize forest research, and played a major role in forest protection policy and the use of aircraft in forestry. By now almost all of the influential foresters and forest administrators in Canada were part of the Society.

With the 1940s came World War II, creating a boom in employment. The forestry industry turned to war-time timber supply, such as building the Mosquito Fighter Bomber (made from the Yellow Birch). Also at the time, the Canadian Society of Forest Engineers was continuing its quest for forest regeneration and began promoting wildlife management. During this decade it promoted the need to include wildlife management in all forest management plans and in university forestry curricula. Further progress was made in the 40’s when the Society appointed the first Forest Policy Committee to help governments with evolving their forest policy to a rapidly industrializing Canada.

In the 1950’s, with the industrialization of Canada, the Society decided it needed a new image and it underwent a name change. Three names were suggested: the Canadian Society of Forest Engineers, the Canadian Society of Foresters and the Canadian Institute of Forestry. The latter name was adopted and the Society’s new image was incorporated under the Dominion Charter as the Canadian Institute of Forestry/l’Institue forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC). From here on, the shift to sustainability, conservation, and regeneration continued to gain impetus to this day.

In the 1960’s and the following decades, with the rise of environmental public awareness and involvement, the CIF/IFC started to become marginalized on forest matters. The CIF/IFC grappled with how to speak with an independent voice, a core value of the Institute envisioned by our founder, Bernard Fernow. With many new forestry jobs in demand, women started entering the field. At first, women worked as research scientists working in laboratories and were involved in the CIF/IFC solely as secretaries. As women started graduating from forestry programs after 1968, they also started signing up for membership. During these decades, the CIF/IFC continued in its traditional manner of trying to influence public policy by actively supporting government and forestry industry. For example, they worked to develop ways of improving investments in regeneration. They made the theme of the 1976 annual general meeting “Canada’s Coniferous Forests: A Growing Challenge”. Then in 1977 the CIF/IFC helped in developing Canada’s National Forestry Policy.

The 1980’s were a time of social upheaval and continued economic growth, but concerns about biodiversity, old growth and sustainable forests became key challenges for forest professionals. In 1987, logging on Lyell Island, part of the Queen Charlotte Archipelago, grabbed the attention of the public and of forest practitioners. The President of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Instutut forestier du Canada at the time, Rod Carrow, advocated that governments and logging companies should listen to the public and protect the island from extractive use. Today the area is protected as the South Moresby National Park, or Gwaii Haanas.

In the 1990’s, the Institute played a major role in revising Canada’s income tax act, so that privately owned forest land could be transferred without triggering capital gains taxes. Prior to this change, new forest owners were forced to cut their forest in order to acquire the money to pay these taxes.

Since that time the CIF/IFC has continued to make numerous contributions that have changed the face of forest conservation across the country. More recent achievements include the Institute’s charitable trust fund, the Forest Awareness in Canada Trust (FACT), which has funded numerous projects aimed at informing Canadians on the importance of forests. One such project is the National Envirothon.

Partners
The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) partners with various organizations across Canada in order to provide various services to its members including knowledge extension and exchange, along with networking opportunities. These partners include, but are not limited to:

Forest Research Partnership – http://www.forestresearch.canadianecology.ca

Canadian Forestry Association – http://www.canadianforestry.com

The CIF/IFC also partners with various educational institutes (including universities, colleges and Cegeps), government bodies (both provincial and federal) and members of the forest industry. For a full list of active partners please visit the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada’s website: http://www.cif-ifc.org/site/partners

=== Sections ===

The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) presently has 18 sections across Canada. These sections are divided by geographic region with higher populated areas subdivided. Each section is crucial for arranging events to ensure both members and the public get involved in local activities, awareness, and information exchanges. These sections are as follows:

Membership History
The Canadian Society of Forest Engineers (CSFE) – the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada’s (CIF/IFC) predecessor – was originally an “Old Boys Club” where many of the original gatherings took place as “Smokings”, at which women were not allowed to attend. During these sessions bonds were made in an informal environment filled with friendly debates and banter. The line between “forester” and “forest professional” remained blurry for decades, and the society gained a reputation for being comprised of and catering only to foresters, even though 4 of the 10 Charter members of the CSFE were not foresters. With the increase in ecological and technological knowledge, new disciplines in forestry opened up. By the 1960’s, forest technicians, wildlife biologists, forest ecologists, and a variety of other occupations were employed in forestry. In 1980, the Institute clarified that people in all forest professions were welcome as members.

Today’s membership continues to become more diverse, open, and accepting and now includes men, women, long-serving professionals and students alike, but is still filled with the same sense of comradeship, unity and equality as always (and the same fun-loving banter). Members today are no longer limited to the traditional “forest professionals” of foresters and forest technicians and technologists. The CIF/IFC’s members are more becoming more and more diverse having various backgrounds in the sciences; including biology, ecology, conservation and zoology; while also having backgrounds in studies like business, economics, communications, the arts...the list goes on.

Membership Value
The members of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) are a diverse group of professionals. Members no longer need to fall under the traditional view of a “forest professional” including only Foresters and Forestry Technicians/Technologists. Today’s members include personnel from various walks of life and educational fields. Members of the CIF/IFC include foresters, technicians, ecologists, biologists, economists, business professionals, communication specialists, retired persons and even students. Today’s only requirement to becoming a CIF/IFC member is to have an interest in promoting proper and sustainable forestry in Canada and abroad. Membership in the CIF/IFC has numerous benefits including:

Making your Continuing Education and Professional Development easy and inexpensive!


 * National Electronic Lecture Series - Free access to over 25 live e-lectures annually
 * Electronic Lecture Archive - Free access to over 120 one-hour original audio/visual presentations - available on-line for download - many relevant forestry themes from across the country
 * The Forestry Chronicle - Six annual issues - also available electronically back to 1925 - Chronicle reading is eligible for continuing education credits!
 * E-Newsletters - Fun and informative - six times a year
 * Web site - Forestry information, resources and tools available 24/7
 * Socials, workshops, seminars and field tours - Over 80 events were held last year across Canada by CIF/IFC's 18 Sections

Establishing the Institute as The Voice of Forest Practitioners - To speak with a louder voice, we need you!

== Forestry Chronicle ==
 * Public Awareness - Balanced, science-based media releases and editorials on relevant forestry-related topics
 * Forest Stewardship - Promoting understanding of good forest stewardship to all political parties
 * Canadian Council of Forest Ministers - Liaison and dialogue with the CCFM
 * Forestry Recruitment Program - Think Forests! leading a National Post-Secondary recruitment program
 * Forests without Borders - A new international forestry volunteer program
 * Outreach and Education - Many products and services in partnership with the Canadian Forestry Association
 * Awards Program - Recognizing excellence in forestry with national, regional and college/university awards

=== About the Chronicle ===

Part of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada’s (CIF/IFC) mandate is to ensure the open exchange of relevant and advancing forest science. In order to accomplish this goal the CIF/IFC has been publishing a professional and scientific forestry journal, since 1925 known as the Forestry Chronicle. It is published bi-monthly in print as well as electronically for members of the Institute and subscribers throughout the world. Through an agreement with the National Research Council Press, The Forestry Chronicle is available electronically to CIF/IFC members and subscribers and is available digitally back to 1925.

The Forestry Chronicle is published to provide information to forest practitioners about professional and scientific management of forests and their resources. The Forestry Chronicle provides forest practitioners in Canada and around the world with a means to communicate with their peers in the professional community. In addition to invited and submitted professional and scientific papers, the various Departments of The Forestry Chronicle (e.g., the Guest Editorial, President's Perspective, Personals, Institute Affairs and school and professional association news and conference listings), record and encourage comment on significant developments of general interest in Canadian and international forestry. Many articles published in the Forestry Chronicle are produced in both French and English according to the researcher’s or author’s preference.

Distribution
The Forestry Chronicle is distributed six times per year where over 3000 copies are produced. They are distributed across Canada and around the globe to members of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) including foresters, forest technicians/technologists, scientists, academics and those with a professional interest in forestry, along with Corporate members (mainly large forest products companies) and other subscribers including university libraries, government departments, forest industry, professional associations, and individuals.

At present the Forestry Chronicle is circulated in 39 countries around the world including Australia, Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, Norway, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Uganda and the United States of America.

National Awards
To encourage excellence in forestry, the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) has instituted a number of Annual National and section awards including the Canadian Forestry Achievement Award, the James M. Kitz Award, the Schlich Memorial Prize and the Gold Medal Award among others.

The Canadian Forestry Achievement Award is presented in recognition of individuals who have made unique and outstanding achievements in the field of forestry. It appreciates the value of consistent exceptional contributions made over a lifetime to the field of forestry in addition to singular momentous achievements. This award has the objective of encouraging excellence in the forestry profession.

The James M. Kitz award is awarded to an individual who is making outstanding contributions to forestry early in their profession. The award recognizes the contributions of those forest practitioners newer to the profession. Created in memory of Mr. James M. Kitz Award, a member of Institute and the Alberta Registered Professional Foresters Association who made several outstanding contributions to forestry early in his career, but suffered a sudden and untimely death at age 36. This award recognized the contributions made by Jim, both professionally and personally and is awarded to those who exemplify Jim's approach to all aspects of life while making an outstanding contribution to forestry early in their career.

The Schlich Memorial Prize was created in honour of Sir William Schlich, who was born in 1840 and was a German forester who became Inspector General of Forests to the Government of India. He also founded the School of Forestry at Oxford in 1905, and was knighted in 1909 for his many achievements. He passed-away in 1925 and the Oxford Forestry School sponsored a campaign to create a fitting memorial - the Schlich Memorial Fund. The trust itself was established in 1929, initiating the recognition of outstanding contributions to forestry in a number of countries including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada. The Schlich Memorial Prize is awarded annually at the CIF/IFC's annual general meeting and conference. It is awarded to an outstanding student chosen by the university and technical school(s) represented by the Section(s) hosting the annual meeting.

Since 1953, the Canadian Institute of Forestry has awarded a Gold Medal to a student graduating from each of the seven university forestry faculties and since 1992, the twenty-three forestry technical schools in Canada. The recipient is selected by the head of the school in recognition of outstanding scholarship, sportsmanship and citizenship throughout the years of the program.

Silver Ring Program
The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) is proud of all the members of the forest profession and therefore welcomes new individuals to the profession with silver rings. The first silver ring ceremony for forestry graduates was held in 1953 at the University of British Columbia. Other university programs soon adopted the silver ring, which prominently features a spruce tree, and it became an important symbol and tradition. The Institute assumed administrative control of the production and distribution of silver rings in 1967, expanding the distribution to include forest technicians and technologists in 2001, with a newly designed silver ring featuring a leaf in place of the tree. A Silver Ring is worn on the smallest finger of the working hand, with the tip of a tree or leaf growing out towards the tip of the finger is meant to symbolize the growth of professional responsibilities. Since the CIF/IFC is open to all forest professionals, a third silver ring is available to committed members.

The Silver Ring is visible evidence of the national bond among Canadian forestry graduates - a bond that overrides differences in levels of responsibility, differences in employment status, differences in province of residence, and differences in language. The silver ring is a clear sign that unites graduates in forestry at the national level, a bond that goes beyond differences in responsibilities, employment, province of residence and language.