I was also fascinated by the variety of career paths forestry can take you. For many of my friends at school who are pursuing studies in business, engineering, and the arts, when they hear the word forestry, or forester, they think of lumberjacks and clear cutting, but in reality, this is not the whole picture. There is a significant amount of biology, economics, politics and cultural aspects involved in the research and processes behind forestry practices. It is a convergence of all these things. This is what drew me to forestry - just how diverse it is with respect to its connections with society. It’s also a profession where I can work, as well as conserve and manage the place that I love

The EOMF had the opportunity to meet with Aidan Holland who is graduating from grade 12 in Ottawa this year and will be studying Forestry at the University of Alberta this September. Curious about how he came to choose forestry as a career, we learned that a key influence was the film that the EOMF developed last year with Pinegrove Productions “Trees, Youth, our Future”! Aidan allowed us to interview him to learn more about how he came to his final decision.

Astrid: Hi Aidan, congratulations on your upcoming graduation and acceptance into the forestry program at the University of Alberta. I might be a little biased, but you’ve chosen a great career path! Can you tell me a little bit more about how you became interested in learning more about managing our forest resource?

Aidan: When I entered high school, I knew that I wanted to work toward pursuing a career in a science-related field. Throughout high school I was involved in a variety of activities that allowed me to be out in nature. Whether it was at my summer camp in Haliburton where I went on week-long canoe trips through Northern Ontario, or with my scouts group, where I had the chance to hike along the northern coast of Lake Superior. When I returned to school in the fall each year, all I could think about, or talk about, were my trips from over the summer. I wanted to go back to the forests and lakes of Eastern and Northern Ontario where I felt most at home.

Astrid: It sounds like you had some great experiences in high school. You mentioned that you had the opportunity to watch the film “Tree, Youth, our Future”. Can you tell us how that happened and how it influenced your decision?

Aidan: Last summer, my brother, who had just finished a degree in Environmental Sciences, was working at the Petawawa Research Forest, along the border of Algonquin Park. Over the summer I visited him as he worked at the forest. I began to grow a great appreciation for the forest and the surrounding area with the magnificent white and red pine stands. Later that year, when my brother was working in Ottawa, he was able to show my family and I a “special” pre-screening of a two-part documentary series called “Trees, Youth, our Future” It was about the history of the forest industry in the Ottawa valley, the evolution of forestry practices, and the future of Ontario’s forests. The message of the documentary seemed to speak to me, especially after spending so much time over the years exploring Ontario’s forests.

Astrid: That’s great to hear Aidan as the intent of this film was to promote it to young people like you with the hopes of encouraging more to choose forestry as a career. Was there anyone that you met along the way that helped you with your decision?

Aidan: During this time, my community was organizing an urban forestry initiative called the Neighbourwoods tree inventory. That spring and summer I was able to learn more about the forestry and the opportunities it presented, hands-on. That is where I met Dr. Andy Kenney (Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto and EOMF member), one of the founders of the program and an experienced forester. Learning from him and gaining insight into what a career in forestry might be like was an incredible experience.

Astrid: Once you were sold on forestry, how did you go about finding the program at the University of Alberta?

Aidan: I began to look more into different forestry programs and discovered the hands-on approach to learning the degree offered - with field schools and other related excursions. I was also fascinated by the variety of career paths forestry can take you. For many of my friends at school who are pursuing studies in business, engineering, and the arts, when they hear the word forestry, or forester, they think of lumberjacks and clear cutting, but in reality, this is not the whole picture. There is a significant amount of biology, economics, politics and cultural aspects involved in the research and processes behind forestry practices. It is a convergence of all these things. This is what drew me to forestry - just how diverse it is with respect to its connections with society. It’s also a profession where I can work, as well as conserve and manage the place that I love. During my last year in high school I continued to look into my options for Forestry and eventually accepted my offer at the University of Alberta. I really liked the program and courses they offered, and of course they have two awesome field schools throughout the degree.

Astrid: Thank you Aidan for your story and great insights. All the best with your studies and your career. Be sure to check back with us regularly!

To view the documentary “Trees, Youth, our Future, please visit the EOMF website at https://www.eomf.on.ca/documentary. If you are interested in hosting an event to show the film, please contact Astrid at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-258-6587.

Astrid Nielsen, General Manager, Eastern Ontario Model Forest