Faces of Forests Ontario: Teri Hoang

Favourite Animal: Blue Jay
Favourite Tree: White Pine

Forests Ontario is excited to introduce you to Teri Hoang, our new Stakeholder Relations Officer. Teri has been a part of the Forests Ontario family for a few months now, and in her new role she has worked diligently with It Takes a Forest and the Reconciliation Community Tree Plant program.

Teri’s passion for forestry grew from admiring the natural areas within Toronto, where she grew up, along with travelling to and camping in provincial parks. After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in economics and finance, she began her career in the consumer goods industry. However, through volunteering and increased contact with the natural world, Teri realized she wanted to pursue forestry as a career. She returned to school to complete a Master of Forest Conservation (MFC) at the University of Toronto.

Teri credits Forests Ontario as a starting point on her academic and professional journey into forestry, as it was one of the first organizations she researched and with whom she conducted an informational interview. This helped cement her decision to pursue forestry. When a position at Forests Ontario arose, she jumped at the opportunity to have that journey come full circle. Interestingly, Teri was on a monumental holiday in Haida Gwaii in B.C. when she interviewed for this position. Haida Gwaii was one of her bucket list destinations: she could finally experience its remoteness, wilderness, natural beauty, and intact forests. Having landed a job at Forests Ontario while in Haida Gwaii will always be a memorable highlight for her. Teri is now working towards becoming a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and increasing her involvement with the forest sector.

Although Teri grew up in the city, she has a growing wanderlust for Ontario’s natural areas. She can often be found camping, going for walks, enjoying documentaries, taking care of her houseplants, cuddling with her cat Chloe, and enjoying life with her partner.

Photo: Teri Hoang on Haida Gwaii, 2021.