Project Learning Tree Canada launches cross country bike tour to inspire youth to pursue careers in forest, conservation sectors

May 13, 2019

8,750-km bike ride to highlight Green Jobs initiative

VICTORIA, B.C., MAY 13, 2019 — Today, Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) launched Green Ride for Green Jobs awareness campaign – a cross-country engagement tour to encourage even more youth to work in Green Jobs and help fill critical roles in forests and parks.

PLT Canada’s Zac Wagman, Green Jobs Manager, began the Green Ride in Victoria, B.C., and will travel more than 8,750 km over four months to St. John’s, Nfld on a Montreal-made Picolo Vélo wooden bicycle. Wagman will visit up to 50 PLT Canada Green Jobs employers in 30 different communities across nine provinces, profiling over 25 youth, and sharing stories of their Green Jobs experiences over social media.

Launched in 2018 with support from the Government of Canada, The Green Jobs initiative is administered by PLT Canada, working closely with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Canadian Parks Council, to instill a passion for the outdoors and provide youth with the knowledge, skills and experience that will help them pursue careers in the forest and conservation sectors.

Since then, PLT Canada has funded and committed to fund over 1,600 outdoor jobs in forestry, ecosystem and wildlife management, silviculture and forest health, indigenous forest based programs, recreation and interpretation, conservation and research, education, and jobs within provincial and territorial parks.

“Mosaic Forest Management is proud to partner with Project Learning Tree Canada – a program that brings us seven talented, passionate young leaders eager to work in the forest sector and make a positive impact on our communities, our forests and our business,” said Mosaic President and CEO Jeff Zweig. “Our thanks to the Government of Canada and the team at Project Learning Tree Canada for highlighting the many diverse and rewarding career paths available in our sector.”

“We thank the government of Canada for supporting the Green Jobs initiative and are excited to be placing youth in a variety of experiences across Canada through our unique and diverse networks that include non-profits, academia, industry and conservation organizations. Since the Green Jobs initiative began, PLT Canada has achieved gender balance in its job placements, and has provided jobs for over 90 indigenous youth – accounting for over 12% of its job placements. Together, we can grow the next generation of forest and conservation leaders,” said Kathy Abusow, Project Learning Tree Canada CEO.

 “I’m excited to be travelling across Canada to meet youth working in innovative and high-quality jobs in the forest and conservation sectors,” Wagman said. “There are so many different outdoor jobs out there, and the Green Ride will help raise awareness of them so that other youth might get inspired to participate in the initiative. These meaningful work experiences not only encourage a passion for the outdoors, they also constitute important building blocks that allow youth to acquire valuable knowledge and skills they can take with them should they choose to pursue green careers.”

Photos

Project Learning Tree Canada’s Zac Wagman (R) and his brother Nick (L) kick off the cross-Canada Green Ride bike tour to promote the Green Jobs in Green Spaces program, as supporters cheer them on in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2019. Chad Hipolito/CNW Group

Zac Wagman, PLT Canada Green Jobs Manager

Zac Wagman, PLT Canada Green Jobs Manager

Project Learning Tree Canada’s Green Jobs in Green Spaces program is supported by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Canadian Parks Council, with financial support from the Government of Canada.

Picolo Vélo wooden bicycles are being used to bike across Canada. www.PicoloVelo.com

Zac Wagman, PLT Canada Green Jobs Manager, and Kathy Abusow, PLT Canada President and CEO, marking the start of the Green Ride cross-Canada bicycle journey at Mile Zero in Victoria, B.C. on May 13, 2019.

Zac Wagman, PLT Canada Green Jobs Manager (R), and his brother Nick (L) kicked off the Green Ride engagement tour in Victoria, B.C. on May 13, 2019.

From L to R: Nick Wagman, Jess Kaknevicius, PLT Canada VP Community Engagement; Kathy Abusow, PLT Canada President and CEO; Zac Wagman, PLT Canada Green Jobs Manager

Diane Sam, a member of the Songhees Nation, welcomed us to their traditional territory.

Bob Auster, Executive Director of Regional Operations for B.C. Parks, spoke about the benefits of outdoor jobs and the importance of PLT Canada’s Green Jobs program at the launch of the Green Ride cross-Canada bike tour.

Mack Hallworth, a fourth-year forestry student at Lakehead University, working a Green Job with Mosaic Forest Management

“Green jobs weren’t part of the conversation around what to do after high school. I want to change that” – Zac Wagman, PLT Canada Green Jobs Manager

Zac Wagman (R) and his brother Nick (L) pose for a group photo with representatives from the Pacific Forestry Centre, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Mosaic Forest Management, B.C. Parks, Songhees First Nation, Ducks Unlimited, and the B.C. Chief Forester, before kicking off the cross-Canada Green Ride for Green Jobs bicycle journey in Victoria, B.C. on May 13, 2019.

Zac Wagman (R) and his brother Nick (L) pose for a group photo with supporters before kicking off the cross-Canada Green Ride for Green Jobs bicycle journey.

Sponsors

About Project Learning Tree Canada

Project Learning Tree Canada fosters community interest in the benefits of environmental education and responsible management of Canada’s natural resources. We are committed to using the outdoors to engage youth in learning about the world around them—in urban, suburban, rural, and Indigenous communities, and using trees and forests as windows on the world to inspire action. Project Learning Tree is an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

For more information

David Folkerson, Director, Communications
David.Folkerson@sfiprogram.org
613-565-0627