FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BC Council of Forest Industries announces the 2024 COFI Forestry Scholarship recipients during the National Forestry Week
Vancouver, B.C. – In celebration of National Forestry Week, the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 Forestry Scholarships. Since 2007, COFI has supported students pursuing professional, technical, or trades careers in the forest sector through its annual scholarship program. Each recipient will receive $2,000 to support their post-secondary studies at institutions across British Columbia. For this program, COFI also partners with the New Relationship Trust Foundation (NRTF) to provide additional scholarships for Indigenous students pursuing careers in forestry.
“We are excited to support these students as they embark on career paths in BC’s forest industry,” said Linda Coady, President & CEO of COFI. “The sector is facing some challenges right now, but it is important to not lose sight of the fact that we are also on the verge of a new era in BC forestry.”
“We are embracing Indigenous forestry and exploring innovative approaches and technologies for forest management and fibre utilization that can restore our forests’ capacity for resiliency to wildfires while diversifying the products that can be made from them. These changes can open doors to new opportunities that are not only exciting locally but are also groundbreaking globally.”
The forest sector remains a vital part of BC’s economy, supporting approximately 48,000 direct good paying jobs and engaging about 10,000 businesses, suppliers, and vendors across 335 municipalities and First Nations communities.
“These scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to drive innovation and progress within the forest sector,” added Coady. “Whether they are becoming forestry resources technicians, millwrights, or data analysts, their fresh ideas and diverse skillsets will help advance the industry in dynamic ways.”
“COFI is proud to support students in BC as they pursue their educational goals. COFI’s Forestry Scholarships reflect the dedication of our members to encouraging the next generation of leaders in the forest sector, ensuring they have resources and opportunities needed to thrive and contribute to our industry and to the communities they live in,” said Jim Costley, Manager of Forest Education.
The 2024 scholarship winners are:
- Michael Baker-Chalmers, Prince George – Forestry Resources Technician, College of New Caledonia
- Charlotte Campbell, Prince George – Forest Ecology and Management, University of Northern British Columbia
- Grace Currie, Quesnel – Indigenous Studies, University of British Columbia – Okanagan
- Sophia Gale, North Vancouver – Bachelor of Natural Sciences in Forestry, University of British Columbia
- Jesse Hill, Southbank – Pipe Trade, College of New Caledonia
- Brendan James, Prince George – Forestry Resources Technician, College of New Caledonia
- Julian Larson, Quesnel – Millwright, College of New Caledonia
- Alexander Kurucz, Prince George – BSc in Forestry Ecology & Management, University of Northern British Columbia
- Vanessa Mailhot, West Kelowna – Forest Technologist, Selkirk College
- Jennie Nguyen, Burnaby – Registered Professional Forester (RPF) program, University of British Columbia
- Amanda St-Onge, Castlegar – Applied Environmental Science & Planning, Selkirk College
2024 New Relationship Trust Foundation (NRTF) Scholarship Winners:
- Rachel Miller, T’it’q’et First Nations, Lillooet – Electrical Foundations, Thompson Rivers University
- Marie Patrick, Xaxli’p First Nations, Lillooet – Environmental Natural Resources Technician, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
- Austin Preissi, Leq’A:Mel First Nations, Squamish – Carpentry, British Columbia Institute of Technology
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About the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI):
The BC Council of Forest Industries represents the majority of lumber, pulp, paper, and manufactured wood producers across the province. This sector remains a cornerstone of BC’s economy, providing good jobs and a better quality of life for British Columbians.
About the New Relationship Trust Foundation (NRTF):
The New Relationship Trust Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization created to support the educational goals of First Nations in British Columbia. It focuses on scholarships, bursaries, and First Nations Language Revitalization programs.
About COFI’s Forest Education Program:
COFI’s Forest Education Program provides current information for educators and students about BC’s forest resources and the educational and career opportunities available in the sector.
Media contact:
Travis Joern
Director of Communications, COFI
Joern@cofi.org
778-846-3465