Faces of Forests Ontario: Hilary Wright

Favourite Tree: Burr Oak
Favourite Animal: Canada Lynx

Have you met our Funder Stewardship Coordinator, Hilary Wright? Hilary has been an integral member of our team since February 2024, and her first day started with a bang at Forests Ontario’s 2024 Annual Conference!

When asked what made Hilary choose to join the Forests Ontario team, she said: “I wanted to work with Forests Ontario for their holistic approach to environmental solutions. Not only are they addressing the current climate crisis through their restoration programs, but they work to engage local communities, connect professionals in our field, and educate the next generation of forest stewards.”

As the Funder Stewardship Coordinator, Hilary manages contract deliverables for our funding partners. Over the past few months, she has reached out to current and prospective clients, connected with internal departments to support their projects and deliverables, and attended events to connect with various communities and partners.

Nature inspired Hilary from a young age growing up in Waterloo. She often played in the forest near her home and travelled to forested locations like the Valley of the Giants in Western Australia. That inspiration turned into passion, and she studied ecosystem management and environmental science at Fleming College and Trent University – but she didn’t stop there.

Hilary branched out and studied restoration and ecological management through hands-on learning experiences with the Kawartha Land Trust and the Askari Wilderness Conservation Program. She also studied sustainable development through community-based research opportunities with the Ontario Land Trust Association, property owners’ associations, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Prior to working at Forests Ontario, Hilary held multiple student positions where she could advocate for post-secondary education in environmental sciences.

With all her field work experience, you may wonder why Hilary isn’t currently out in the field. Well, she has experienced the full range of weather extremes while studying forestry in the field. From 30ºC+ in the South African bush to torrential downpours and conducting plot counts in a -30ºC polar vortex, she quickly realized that field work wasn’t for her.

Even though Hilary chose to make a difference from behind her desk, she still loves getting outside and enjoying the warmer months with her dog. And if you are looking for her in the winter, you may just find her hibernating at home, playing games and exploring her creativity with drawings and paintings. In the future, Hilary’s aim is to continue respectfully exploring the Canadian wilderness and beyond (although possibly just when the weather is agreeable).