Newsletter

Expanding Our Roots

Forest Education Re-Launched in Northwestern Alberta
Submitted by Kate Wilson                                                
Research Extension Coordinator- Boreal Research Institute
novaNAIT Centre for Applied Research

Mackenzie Forest Education Society's new forest educator, Katherine Haugan

The novaNAIT Boreal Research Institute and the Mackenzie Forest Education Society, based out of Peace River, Alberta, have combined resources to refresh boreal education in the region. Programs traditionally offered by each of these two respected organizations – such as speaker series, grants to high school classes and hikes – will be strengthened and broadened.

An education coordinator has been hired. Katherine Haugan, who began her role as Boreal Educator in November, 2010, is looking forward to working with teachers and the community at large to offer outstanding programming in forest education. 

Her main role will be providing environmental teaching aids, classroom presentations and forest tours to classes in the region.

“The Mackenzie Forest Education Society has a long standing mandate to provide teaching tools in forest education to elementary, junior high and senior high, but it has been difficult to involve classes beyond K – 6, ” says Katherine. “We also want to assist students in the exploration of career possibilities in the forest industry.”

One of her challenges will be to develop a vision for how to expand into high schools and bring a career focus to the program. 

“My vision is to connect students and educators of all ages” she says. “I see my role as one of facilitator, and hope to leverage my impact on students by connecting educators with professionals and specialists in different sectors.”

Katherine will also be re-launching programs traditionally offered by novaNAIT Boreal Research Institute. These include the visiting speaker series, bringing a natural sciences speaker to schools and the community, and Forest Explorers, Alberta’s largest and most diverse forestry career show.   Katherine will be connecting with professionals and teachers in the beginning of 2011. And hike season begins in April!

To contact Katherine, please call 780-618-2614 or email her at: katherih@nait.ca  You can also visit the Mackenzie Forest Education Society website at: www.mackenzieforested.com
To learn more about the novaNAIT Boreal Research Institute
and its projects, go to: www.nait.ca

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