Courtesy: Forest Capital of Canada
The Mackenzie Region of Alberta awarded the Forest Capital of Canada two years in a row
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—After embracing the title in 2024, the Mackenzie Region of Alberta is delighted to be crowned the Forest Capital of Canada (FCC) for the second year in a row.
“Congratulations to the Mackenzie Region for being recognized as the Forest Capital of Canada for the second consecutive year,” said Todd Loewen, Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks. “This title reflects the region’s connection to our natural environment and its commitment to forestry education and responsible stewardship.”
Awarded by the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada, the FCC designation has been passed on since 1979. The moniker celebrates communities or regions for their connectivity to the forest.
In addition to erecting highway signs and sponsoring numerous community events, the FCC Board hosted the Alberta Forest Products Association’s podcast series, Forestry Talks, this July when several local forestry experts were interviewed.
Perhaps FCC’s most endearing legacy initiative is Boris the Spruce Tree, the local animated character and mascot.
Created for the FCC Board by Kathleen and Dražen Rukavina of Long Sleeve Productions, Boris hosts an interactive online adventure that blends animation with on-location footage. Kathleen describes it as a mix between a nature show and video game.
Boris’ adventure aims to connect people of all ages with the boreal forest, covering local history, Indigenous perspectives, tree health, sustainability, and more. Virtual experiences include a tour of a real bear den, kayaking, and a helicopter ride.
“Looking to the future, we’d like to see the Boris brand become an integral part of our region,” said Lisa Wardley, FCC Co-Chair. “In the meantime, we have a lot more to come. We’re planning more Boris adventures and more education opportunities to share with Alberta and the rest of Canada.”
“I look forward to seeing the continued growth of these initiatives as we work together to celebrate and responsibly manage our boreal forests,” said Minister Loewen.
