Forest workers, students and natural resource professionals can register for a climate training course offered by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC) in early 2026. The seven-week, 45-hour “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Professional Development Program” will run online in two cohorts: January 5 to February 20 and February 9 to March 29, 2026. Complimentary spots for equity-deserving individuals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program, administered from CIF-IFC’s National Office at the Canadian Ecology Centre in Mattawa, combines pre-recorded lectures, live interactive sessions and a final practical assessment. It was developed in partnership with the Climate Risk Institute (CRI) with contributions from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and is funded in part by Natural Resources Canada through the Climate Change Adaptation Program. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is a grant partner supporting the project and its focus on sustainable forestry professional development.
As Canadian forests face growing threats from wildfires, drought and invasive pests, the course aims to give practitioners the skills to apply climate-resilient techniques on the ground. Participants will learn to assess risks, plan adaptive actions and apply climate-change considerations to forest management decisions. “Planting the right tree, in the right location, and for the right reasons will help mitigate and adapt to climate change,” said Mark Pearson, a CIF-IFC representative (quoted previously in Business View Magazine).
Eligible applicants include professional foresters, silviculture contractors and students at institutions such as the Canadian Ecology Centre. The course requires a commitment of roughly seven hours per week. Interested participants can sign up or learn more about course details on the CIF-IFC Climate Adaptation Program page (https://www.cif-ifc.org/climate-adaptation-and-resilience-professional-development-program-for-forest-professionals-in-canada/) or email media@cif-ifc.org to request more information about complimentary spots.
The initiative supports goals set out in Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy and highlights Mattawa’s role as a hub for forestry education and professional development. By bridging climate science with practical training, CIF-IFC aims to strengthen capacity across the forestry sector to manage forests sustainably amid a changing climate.
