Latest news with #JessKaknevicius
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
2025 Ontario Envirothon champions crowned
Forests Canada is proud to be the lead agency of Ontario Envirothon – a unique, environmentally-themed academic competition that immerses students in hands-on learning and discovery while building STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills. BARRIE, ON, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - After a busy spring that saw 460 students representing 92 five-member teams from across Ontario take part in regional Envirothon workshops and competitions, a team from University of Toronto Schools was crowned as 2025 Ontario Envirothon Champions on May 28. The provincial Envirothon was held at the University of Waterloo from May 25 to 28 and featured 85 students from 17 teams competing to represent Ontario at the National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon in Calgary, Alberta from July 20 to 26. "Envirothon season is an incredibly exciting time of year, not just for me and the education team here at Forests Canada, but also for the hundreds of students who are gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and honing their STEM skills," Jess Kaknevicius, CEO, Forests Canada, says. "I attended the provincial championships this year and was really impressed by the knowledge and exuberance of the students but also the selflessness and dedication of all the volunteers, teachers and sponsors who make Ontario Envirothon possible." Throughout the season, students have showcased their knowledge of Ontario Envirothon's four core topics – forestry, soils, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems – along with this year's current topic of "Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship". From the 17 teams that advanced to the provincial competition, the three top-ranking teams were: First Place: University of Toronto Schools Second Place: Waterloo Collegiate Institute Third Place: Markville Secondary School "We are a proud sponsor of Ontario Envirothon since 2016 and love to see all these incredible young people work together to broaden their horizons and learn so much about the natural world," Deb Pella Keen, Executive Director, Maple Leaves Forever, says. "When I see young people learning about forest stewardship, it gives me hope for a healthy, resilient future. On behalf of Maples Leaves Forever, I'd like to congratulate all the students who took part in Envirothon events this spring and wish the University of Toronto Schools team good luck in Calgary this summer!" "Enbridge Gas enjoys giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are pleased to support Ontario Envirothon and help students in this program gain knowledge and skills they will use for the rest of their lives," says Keith Boulton, Director of Utility Public Affairs and Communications, Enbridge Gas. "Our sponsorship of Ontario Envirothon complements our employee-led initiative, Enbridge LEAF (Local Environmental Action Fellowship), which supports strategic, large-scale tree planting with Forests Canada. Together, we are reducing our carbon footprint and promoting biodiversity." Ontario Envirothon has reached more than 10,000 Envirothon alumni since it was established in 1994. The program's growth and success in 2025 would not have been possible without the help of dedicated volunteers and the generous support of Maple Leaves Forever, Enbridge Gas, Peterborough K. M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, Fleming College, Durham College, Central Canada Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, University of Waterloo, and Wildlife Habitat Canada. About Forests Canada From the annual collection of millions of viable tree seeds to building a comprehensive network of experienced planting partners who care about the long-term health of Canada's forested landscapes, non-profit charity Forests Canada is a leading advocate of healthy ecosystems and economies. With interactive education programs inspiring the next generation of forest stewards, and high-quality restoration programs supporting local jobs and communities, we have proudly built the infrastructure needed to ensure the greatest possible outcomes for Canada's forests from coast to coast to coast. We conserve, restore and grow Canada's forests to sustain life and communities. Visit or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn to find out more. SOURCE Forests Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
2025 Ontario Envirothon champions crowned
Forests Canada is proud to be the lead agency of Ontario Envirothon – a unique, environmentally-themed academic competition that immerses students in hands-on learning and discovery while building STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills. BARRIE, ON, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - After a busy spring that saw 460 students representing 92 five-member teams from across Ontario take part in regional Envirothon workshops and competitions, a team from University of Toronto Schools was crowned as 2025 Ontario Envirothon Champions on May 28. The provincial Envirothon was held at the University of Waterloo from May 25 to 28 and featured 85 students from 17 teams competing to represent Ontario at the National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon in Calgary, Alberta from July 20 to 26. "Envirothon season is an incredibly exciting time of year, not just for me and the education team here at Forests Canada, but also for the hundreds of students who are gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and honing their STEM skills," Jess Kaknevicius, CEO, Forests Canada, says. "I attended the provincial championships this year and was really impressed by the knowledge and exuberance of the students but also the selflessness and dedication of all the volunteers, teachers and sponsors who make Ontario Envirothon possible." Throughout the season, students have showcased their knowledge of Ontario Envirothon's four core topics – forestry, soils, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems – along with this year's current topic of " Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship". From the 17 teams that advanced to the provincial competition, the three top-ranking teams were: "We are a proud sponsor of Ontario Envirothon since 2016 and love to see all these incredible young people work together to broaden their horizons and learn so much about the natural world," Deb Pella Keen, Executive Director, Maple Leaves Forever, says. "When I see young people learning about forest stewardship, it gives me hope for a healthy, resilient future. On behalf of Maples Leaves Forever, I'd like to congratulate all the students who took part in Envirothon events this spring and wish the University of Toronto Schools team good luck in Calgary this summer!" "Enbridge Gas enjoys giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are pleased to support Ontario Envirothon and help students in this program gain knowledge and skills they will use for the rest of their lives," says Keith Boulton, Director of Utility Public Affairs and Communications, Enbridge Gas. "Our sponsorship of Ontario Envirothon complements our employee-led initiative, Enbridge LEAF (Local Environmental Action Fellowship), which supports strategic, large-scale tree planting with Forests Canada. Together, we are reducing our carbon footprint and promoting biodiversity." Ontario Envirothon has reached more than 10,000 Envirothon alumni since it was established in 1994. The program's growth and success in 2025 would not have been possible without the help of dedicated volunteers and the generous support of Maple Leaves Forever, Enbridge Gas, Peterborough K. M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, Fleming College, Durham College, Central Canada Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, University of Waterloo, and Wildlife Habitat Canada. About Forests Canada From the annual collection of millions of viable tree seeds to building a comprehensive network of experienced planting partners who care about the long-term health of Canada's forested landscapes, non-profit charity Forests Canada is a leading advocate of healthy ecosystems and economies. With interactive education programs inspiring the next generation of forest stewards, and high-quality restoration programs supporting local jobs and communities, we have proudly built the infrastructure needed to ensure the greatest possible outcomes for Canada's forests from coast to coast to coast. We conserve, restore and grow Canada's forests to sustain life and communities. Visit or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn to find out more.
CBC
29-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Forests Canada says its on track to plant its 50 millionth tree this year
Social Sharing The organization Forests Canada says it's on track to reach its goal of planting 50 million trees by the end of this year. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty made that pledge in 2007, saying that figure would be reached by 2025. Forests Canada CEO Jess Kaknevicius says its efforts are in addition to trees planted after logging operations, which are legally required under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. "So the 50-million tree program is outside of any legally obligated area," she said. Forests Canada's goals are to plant more trees in what it calls "settled landscapes," which include shelter belts around farmland. "People want to contribute to wildlife habitat, people want to contribute to [fighting] climate change, and they want to leave a legacy for the next generation," Kaknevicius said. She said Forests Canada relies on funding from different levels of government, along with donations to fund its tree-planting efforts. Kaknevicius said she estimates that trees planted by logging companies under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act are also in the millions each year. A tree planter's perspective Autumn Ducharme is a first-time tree planter who helps with those efforts at a rate of pay of around 13 cents per tree. Ducharme said she has worked at small organic farms, so the transition to tree planting in the northern Ontario bush near Sault Ste. Marie was a natural one. "I was working for small family-run businesses and they only have so much wiggle room in their profit margin," she said. "So yeah, I was interested in a job that had the potential of paying a little bit better." Ducharme said that while some days can be quite cold, especially if it's raining, she loves spending her time working outside. "I would not in a million years take a nine-to-five office job," she said. "Like no way." She said she appreciates the trees she plants also make a difference to the surrounding landscape. "When they're not cut for wood, they're still cleaning our air," Ducharme said.
