The Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) and Pinegrove Productions have produced a new documentary video series that celebrates stewardship of Ontario’s natural heritage in forestry. “Trees, Youth, Our Future” is a two-part series that tells the story of forest stewardship in Ontario and encourages the next generation of leaders to embrace it.

“Forest stewardship is one of Ontario’s key economic drivers and provides jobs, recreation and healthy lifestyles for the people who live here,” explains Astrid Nielsen, General Manager. “Our aim with this series is to showcase the excellent stewardship work that is being done for our forests today and to inspire youth to continue that legacy so that we have sustainable forests for the future.”

The first episode, “The Road to Sustainability,” seen above, explores the history of our relationship with the forests – from being home to Indigenous peoples to being an obstacle to settlement for Europeans. It looks at the evolution from exploitation to stewardship, culminating in Ontario becoming a leader in sustainable forest management.

The Eastern Ontario Model Forest is a not-for-profit, charitable organization that works with landowners, industry, First Nations and others to develop new ways to sustain and manage forests. The EOMF champions the belief that we all have a stake in ensuring the environmental, economic, cultural and social values of Ontario's non-crown forests are maintained for the benefit of all, now and in the future.