Member Spotlight – Lacey Rose

By Brooke McClelland

Visits as a child to her family’s cabin began Lacey Rose’s lifelong appreciation for the wilderness and the outdoors. Growing up in a remote environment in Labrador, Rose spent most of her time outside. Forestry found her by accident, thanks to her biology professor at the College of the North Atlantic, in Labrador City. This discovery led her to complete a Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the University of New Brunswick before she made her way to the Ottawa Valley in 2006.

“I like to try to pass on the gift given to me by my biology professor to pursue this career by talking to kids about forestry now.”

Along with her passion for forestry, Rose also advocates bringing more women into the forestry sector as co-founder of Women in Wood, a networking group established in 2015 for women who work in, with, and for the woods. The group now includes over 3,000 women. “It inspires me every day, to see how women are supporting and encouraging each other,” Rose says.

Becoming a member of Forests Ontario was a natural fit. “Forests Ontario is a great organization to support! I was impressed with the education and outreach programs, and the ways the organization enabled people to see forestry in a positive light,” exclaimed Rose, with the charity’s Annual Conference one of her favourite forestry events of the year.

Rose’s involvement with Forests Ontario extends beyond her membership and includes participation in various education programs. “I think Forestry in the Classroom and Forestry Connects are the most influential programs Forests Ontario has. There is no better way to shape the understanding and perspective of the future – it will lead to a better public perception of what we do in forestry. I like to try to pass on the gift given to me by my biology professor to pursue this career by talking to kids about forestry now,” she says.

Being a forester herself, Rose is no stranger to the benefits of trees. “Trees can solve many of the problems we’re facing in a changing climate. They reduce surface temperature, protect soils from erosion, store carbon, clean the air…the list goes on.” Rose also advocates for better public understanding of sustainable forest management. For example, she enjoys taking schools and the public on tours through the Renfrew County Forest, which is actively managed each year and provides wood to local mills as well as members of the community, and beyond, to create wood products needed for daily life. How quickly healthy forests regenerate after harvesting, and how much effort is put into protecting forest values like bird’s nests and water features, are some of her favourite facts to share.

Forests Ontario would like to thank Lacey Rose and all our members for their valued support. Your contribution continues to make our urban and rural communities healthier through the creation, preservation and maintenance of forests and grasslands.

Forests Ontario highlights our members in each issue of Our Forest magazine. If you are a Forests Ontario member and would like to share your story in our magazine, please contact bmcclelland@forestsontario.ca.

If you would like to become a Forests Ontario Member, click here.