Faces of Forests Ontario: Peter Moddle

Favourite Tree: Sugar Maple
Favourite Animal: His dog

At Forests Ontario, growing Canada’s forests is what we do! Many people may know about our tree planting efforts across Ontario, but did you know that since 2012, we expanded to help landowners across the county? We collaborate with our trusted network of partners to help Canadians achieve their tree planting goals and that is where our National Program Manager, Peter Moddle, is making his mark!

Although Peter has only been in his current position for almost a year, he has been involved with Forests Ontario as a 50 Million Tree Program planting partner since 2017. He used to work summers on tree planting crews, planning and coordinating projects with landowners and partners. Now, his day involves collaborating and connecting with conservation partners to scale our restoration programs outside of Ontario.

As National Program Manager, Peter is working to build the capacity to establish a Canada-wide partner network while generating and leading a national planting project. Thus far, he has aided in establishing relationships with new partners across the country from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, and helped support recovery efforts related to climate change and natural disturbances.

When asked why Peter chose to hang up his shovel and begin working at Forests Ontario, he said: “I am passionate about working to improve the environment in Canada and wanted to make an impact and Forests Ontario had a great track-record of this with over 75 years of experience growing healthy, resilient forests. I was excited to get to work alongside a talented team driven by a forward-thinking leadership group and by the opportunity to contribute to a growing organization committed to forest recovery in Canada.”

Peter accredits his parents for his passion for forestry. His parents, a geologist and a geographer, often took their family on camping trips across the county, from Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, to follow their own unique interests. Peter appreciated the vastness and diversity of Canada’s landscape and realized the importance of preserving it. He followed his interests and attended Sir Sandford Fleming College and Trent University with the goal of continuing to learn and contribute to Canada’s natural environment.

In his position at Forests Ontario, Peter makes new connections with landowners and partners across the country, which opens the doors for one of his future goals - to work with a famous Canadian on a creative project to help conserve forests. If any famous Canadian is reading this, Peter is only a quick call or email away!

In his spare time, Peter enjoys spending time at his family’s organic pick-your-own blueberry farm, visiting his favourite 300-year-old Sugar Maple heritage tree named “Big Bob”, and taking his dog on numerous adventures!