Supporter Spotlight: Marianne Dekking

By Peter Kuitenbrouwer & Brooke McClelland

Marianne Dekking, a self-described “city slicker” before moving from Holland to Canada, became passionate about the natural world over time after moving out to the country in western Quebec near Gatineau in 1971.

She had never thought about forests before, but joining the back-to-the-land movement led her and her husband to live a more simple life, using their natural surroundings to grow their own food, produce maple syrup from their sugar bush, and use wood from their own trees to heat their home.

After purchasing multiple abandoned farms in the 1970s, Dekking recalls that previous owners had cut down the trees on the properties to try and farm the land. Over the years, thanks to various subsidies, she and her husband planted more than 100,000 trees and “it now is a big forest again”.

When talking about why taking care of our natural surroundings is important, Dekking indicated that alongside the health benefits, “planting a tree and watching it grow is very satisfying”. “We all have to do our best to help repair the damage that we have done to the planet,” she continued.

Dekking has nothing but good things to say about Forests Canada, praising its planting programs, as well as its education programs, including Forestry in the Classroom, “which connects people from the forest sector to teach children about the value of the forest and opportunities for careers in the sector”.

She also quite enjoys reading Forests Canada’s Our Forest magazine. “I enjoy reading about nurseries growing millions of tree seedlings and of people who go out to gather cones that hold the seeds,” she says.

When asked why she supports Forests Canada, her response was simple: “United we stand, divided we fall. People who make it their business to care for our forests need and deserve our support.”

Forests Canada would like to thank Marianne Dekking and all our supporters for their valued support. Forests Canada is highlighting our supporters in each issue of Our Forest magazine. If you are a Forests Canada supporter and would like to share your story, please contact bmcclelland@forestscanada.ca.