A Boundary professional forester was honoured for his hard work in community-based forest management and education.
Dan Macmaster, Registered Professional Forester, was honoured with the prestigious Canadian Forestry Achievement Award at the 2023 Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) National Awards Ceremony, according to a news release. The ceremony took place at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, as part of the 2023 National Conference and 115th Annual General Meeting.
The Canadian Forestry Achievement Award “recognizes individuals who have made unique and outstanding achievements in the field of forestry,” the release stated.
This award acknowledges Macmaster’s accomplishments and commitment to the natural environment, forest education, and community-based forest management.
“Dan has an admirable influence towards the forestry profession and beyond, and is deeply deserving of this Award,” stated Mark Pearson, CIF-FIC executive director in the release.
Currently, Macmaster is the Forest Manager of the West Boundary Community Forest and the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Nk’Mip First Nations Woodland licence. He is deeply committed to providing educational outreach opportunities to students, sharing insight on career pathways in forestry and best practices for good forest management to steward our forests.
He firmly believes that learning experiences, like those provided through the West Boundary Community Forest and its Outdoor Education Centre, are essential for the future well-being of community forests and the forest sector.
“I am so thrilled and humbled to have received this honour,” noted Macmaster. “When I was at the ceremony, I looked around the room at all of the incredible foresters and professionals who have dedicated their lives to the field of forestry and consider myself very fortunate to work in the sector I do. To be recognized for the work I do and the passion I have for forestry and education was such a surprise and I thank all of those who nominated me and chose me to win this award.”
Macmaster is an active member on numerous boards, including the BC First Nations Forestry Council, BC Community Forest Association, Interior Lumber Manufacturers’ Association, the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s forestry working group, and more recently, the Province of BC’s Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council.
A former high school teacher, Macmaster has always been passionate about the natural environment, providing educational outreach opportunities to young students. After teaching, he received a Master’s degree in Sustainable Forest Management from the University of British Columbia.
Throughout his career, he has not only demonstrated his belief in the power of community and the importance of educating people about forestry but also has inspired fellow foresters to take similar actions.