Purpose

Forestry Together aims to achieve meaningful inclusion for current and future employees and is focused on increasing equity for all people, including Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, women, 2SLGBTQI+, people with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada.

Forestry Together's mandate is to create cultural safety in the forest sector, and by doing so, make the forest sector a preferred choice for everyone.

Objectives

Forestry Together aims to:

Advance EDI in the forest sector.
Champion understanding and awareness of EDI in our organizations and sector.
Curate and share best practices on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Build a network of organizations who are united to support EDI in the forest sector.

Vision

The Forestry Together Alliance is committed to fostering diverse inclusion across the forest sector, with a strong focus on promoting equity for all.

Mission

To unite forest sector employers and partners to champion equity, diversity, and inclusivity by:

fostering collaboration for collective action;
sharing best practices and resources; and
creating spaces for meaningful dialogue to cultivate safe and welcoming workplaces across the sector.

FAQ's

Do you have questions about Forestry Together, its mission, and how you can get involved? If you have any additional questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact us.

1.Forestry Together – Who Are We?

We are forestry representatives from around Canada who have come together to create a national alliance committed to fostering meaningful inclusion within the forest sector for both current and future employees, with a focus on promoting equity for everyone. "Forestry Together" seeks to bring together forest sector employers and partners to promote a unified effort towards making the forest sector an employer of choice for all.

2.What is the purpose of “Forestry Together?

The alliance’s goal is to create an environment where all employees—both current and incoming—feel welcome, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. By focusing on equity across the sector, the alliance aims to make forest sector companies "employers of choice" for Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, women, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada.

3.Why was the alliance formed?

The forest sector is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. The viability of the forest industry depends on its ability to attract and retain diverse new, emerging, and experienced workers.

Enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion improves performance, drives growth and value creation, and improves the attraction, engagement, and retention of employees. There is an opportunity to remove potential systemic barriers, thereby advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the forest sector.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion is a social justice and societal imperative. It is the right thing to do.

4.How will the alliance benefit stakeholders in the forest sector?

The alliance's efforts include building a network of allies, sparking conversations, and sharing best practices to promote inclusivity, address systemic barriers, and create opportunities for diverse participation within the sector. Recognizing that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, "Forestry Together" advocates for a collective approach to continuous learning and improvement from the boardroom to the mill shop to the forest floor.

5.How can organizations in the forest sector participate in the alliance?

Organizations can join the alliance as members to access resources and collaborate on initiatives that promote DEI within their operations. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, members can collectively drive positive change across the industry.

2SLGBTQI+ terminology is continuously evolving. As a result, it is important to note that terminology is not exhaustive, and these definitions are a starting point to understanding 2SLGBTQI+ identities and issues. Different 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities may have broader or more specific understandings of these terms.

Glossary & Common Acronyms

Tell me more about the Forestry Together journey. December 2022: Interested parties who expressed interest in participating hosted the first meeting to share and come to consensus on how to move forward in a collaborative commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the forestry sector. April 2023: The Alliance was formally formed – Forestry Together. Participants agreed to terms of reference to determine meeting cadence for a steering committee and the respective work streams. Five workstream groups were established to advance shared goals and move the initiative forward in its early days. Alliance membership categories were established, securing space for anyone and everyone to participate and be included. September 2023: Participants worked to align Forestry Together membership principles, and commitment to membership was secured from 12 committed parties.

How can I get involved with Forestry Together? There are several ways to get involved: •Join the organization to access resources, network with like-minded individuals, and participate in initiatives. •Volunteer: There are often opportunities for volunteers to assist with events, projects, and outreach efforts. •Attend events: Join other members at conferences, seminars, and workshops to learn more about equity, diversity, and inclusion.

How can I stay updated on upcoming events and programs? You can stay informed about EDI events and programs by visiting the Forestry Together website regularly, subscribing to the newsletter, and following us on social media platforms.