World Forestry Congress – 2022 Green Mentor Cohort
January 01, 2022— June 30, 2022
The XV World Forestry Congress brings together forest scientists, professionals and students from around the world, who collectively play a key role in advancing forest research, education, management and policy-making. As such, the WFC creates a unique global in-person and virtual platform for youth and young forest professionals to connect with and learn from more senior forest professionals and catalyze their professional development.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) have offered to support the XV World Forestry Congress organizing team to set up a dynamic short-term mentorship program that connects young people (ages 18–35) with seasoned forest sector professionals. The WFC will use the model of the existing program which has been highly successful in Canada, at a global scale.
The PLT Canada Green Mentor program is mentee-driven. Mentees are expected to initiate contact and guide the conversation. Matched pairs should meet at least 2-3 hours per month. Thematic webinars on mentorship and forest careers will also be available through the PLT Canada Green Mentor program.
Benefits of participation
The program benefits mentors and mentees alike. Mentees will grow their networks, build confidence and soft skills, plan their forest sector career pathway and have a say in the forest sector. Mentors will support the next generation of forest sector leaders, build leadership and coaching skills, and gain new perspectives through knowledge-sharing.
Given the limited space in the pilot program, interested individuals should understand that there is no guarantee that they will be accepted into the PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor program.
Timeline
Selected participants will be contacted by the end of December 2021, and provided with welcome packages with details on the program, including expectations and schedules. Once selected, participants will attend online orientation trainings in January 2022, which will cover the basics of mentorship and how to make the most of the mentorship program as a mentee and/or mentor.
Eligibility and Participation Requirements for Mentors
Do you want to inspire the future generation of forest and conservation leaders? Apply below to become a Green Mentor with the Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) and XV World Forestry Congress (WFC) Green Mentor Program.
Mentors in PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor Program are committed to helping youth (ages 18–35) enhance their potential and identify new career paths in the forest and conservation sectors. Mentors make a six-month commitment and ensure they can meet their mentee 2–3 hours per month (virtually).
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply as a mentor, you must:
- Have over three years of professional experience in the forest and conservation sector.
- Be able to meet your mentee(s) wherever they are in their career path by listening and providing constructive feedback.
- Be open to new ideas and value diverse perspectives.
If you are accepted as a mentor, you will need to:
- Act as a caring and positive role model as your mentee develops their career pathways and experience the workplace.
- Participate in goal development and reflection practices with your mentee to ensure they have the capacity to direct the mentorship relationship.
- Demonstrate leadership and strong communication skills.
- Provide opportunities to discuss and model soft skills, such as work-life balance, critical thinking, communications, problem solving, and personal wellness.
- Work collaboratively with the PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor team to ensure that you and your mentee are satisfied with the program.
- Learn mentorship best practices. This may include online webinars and training modules, in addition to your own initiatives.
Applying means you understand and commit to the requirements and expectations listed above.
Eligibility and Participation Requirements for Mentees
Are you looking to expand your forest and conservation knowledge, goals and network? Ever think, I want a mentor? Well, youth and young professionals ages 18–35 can become a Green Mentee with the Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) and XV World Forestry Congress (WFC) Green Mentor Program.
In the PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor Program, mentees drive the relationship with their mentors and actively pursue conversations with them. Mentees also develop clear career goals within the forest and conservation sector and reflect on their progress throughout the six-month mentorship match.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply as a mentee, you must:
- Be between 18–35 years old.
- Be available to meet your mentor 2–3 hours per month (virtually).
- Want support building your career pathway in the forest and conservation sector.
- Have specific skills or habits you want to improve.
- Commit to the six months of the program and respect the time of your mentor.
If you are accepted as a mentee, you will need to:
- Set a goal at the beginning of the program and submit a proposal to your mentor and the PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor team.
- Come prepared with topics for each mentorship meeting (with support from PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor training materials).
- Participate in skill development and self-reflection.
- Engage in a learning process that will help you develop your career pathway. This process might include webinars and training modules in addition to interacting with your mentor.
- Complete the Green Pathway Plan online course by the end of the six-month mentorship term. You will be guided by PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor team and your mentor on how to do this.
- Work collaboratively with PLT Canada/WFC Green Mentor team to ensure that you and your mentor are satisfied with the program.
Applying means you understand and commit to the requirements and expectations listed above.
Applications for the this cohort are currently closed.
Your submission will be held for consideration for future cohorts.
