Upcoming Webinars & Events
October 30, 2025, 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. ET / 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. PT
Urban forestry is a rapidly growing field that connects people, trees, and communities. Join PLT Canada and four panelists from Ontario as they share how their careers have taken root in this sector, from caring for trees on city streets to shaping the policies and programs that sustain them.
Hear from leaders with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA) and the Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISAO) about the professional designations and credentials that branch out into urban forestry. You will also discover diverse career stories from practicing urban foresters with varied educational backgrounds and entry points into the field.
Bring your curiosity and questions as we explore how you can grow your own rewarding career in the vibrant world of sustainable urban and community forests, where people live, work, and play!
This webinar is part of the PLT Canada Workforce Ready Webinar Series—take a look at more upcoming events!
This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Presenters
Alexander MacLeod, M.Sc., R.P.F., Senior Arborist and Registered Professional Forester, GEI Canada
Alex MacLeod is a Senior Consulting Arborist and Forester with GEI. He has over 13 years of experience in the arboriculture and forestry industries, including 10 years in the urban forestry arena. Alex holds a Master of Science Forestry degree from the University of Aberdeen and is a Registered Professional Forester (R.P.F.), ISA Certified Arborist and an ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Prior to moving to Canada, Alex gained experience working as a forestry technician and forestry surveyor in the UK. He initially worked in the tree care industry upon his move to Southern Ontario and is now a consultancy-based arborist and forester, serving public and private sector clients with tree and woodland inventories, impact analyses and tree preservation plans for engineering and development projects in the GTA. Alex is also currently serving as a member of the Canadian Professional Forester Standards Alliance (CPFSA).
Louise Simpson, CAE, Executive Director & Registrar, Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Louise Simpson is a Certified Association Executive and serves as the Executive Director and Registrar of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA), the organization responsible for regulating professional foresters in Ontario. Louise joins us to share information about the different pathways to becoming a Registered Professional Forester (R.P.F.), highlight the range of career opportunities in the field, and explain what it means to be part of a regulated profession that works to protect the public interest.
Julie Tucker, Executive Director, International Society of Arboriculture Ontario
Julie has worked in urban forestry and arboriculture for over 20 years, with experience as a climbing arborist, consultant, business owner, educator, and trainer. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, and currently serves as the Executive Director of ISA Ontario. Before joining the organization professionally, she volunteered as Chair of the Ontario Tree Climbing Championship and Women in Arboriculture committees, and served nine years on the Board of Directors, including a term as President. ISA Ontario is the province’s largest arboriculture-focused organization, dedicated to advancing the industry through education, research, and public awareness.
Alex Weegen, RPF, Urban Forester and GIS Specialist, Davey Resource Group
Alex has been working in the field of urban forestry and arboriculture for over a decade, with experience in non-profit, government, and private sectors. Alex Weegen holds a Master of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto, is a Registered Professional Forester, as well as an ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, Ontario Certified Tree Marker, Managed Forest Plan Approver, and is on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Urban Forest Council. Volunteering in mentorship and environmental education programs such as Forestry in the Classroom and the Ontario Envirothon allows Alex to share the joys of urban forestry.
Moderator
Meagan “Meg” Hanna, Director of Urban and Community Forestry for Canada
Meg is working with a network of urban and community forestry leaders to establish the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Improvement Program. Part of her work involves promoting certification to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard with municipalities, Indigenous communities, underserved communities, health care institutions, school campuses, and corporations. Meg also supports the SFI Career Pathways Program in Canada to increase green job opportunities for all in the urban forestry and forestry sectors.
James Thordarson, RPF, Senior Coordinator, Forest Education
James’s inspiration to work at SFI was being able to fill a role where he provides Forest education to anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about the natural world around them. James has a Masters of Science in Forestry from Lakehead University as well as being a Registered Professional Forester, ISA certified arborist, Managed Forest Plan Approver and is the Vice Chair for his regional Canadian Institute of Forestry Section. Working with youth is a highlight for James and he knows this work matters because forests are the future and so are the young people who will steward those forests for generations to come.
Upcoming Webinars & Events
