Forest Education and the OFA

The Ontario Forestry Association has been committed to forest education for over 60 years. The OFA began as an advocate for Smokey the Bear and increased awareness of human caused forest fires. While Smokey is still an important part of the OFA's education mandate, the OFA offers a greater range of forest education programs.

The OFA develops and administers many resources and programs targeted to elementary and secondary school students. Some of OFA’s programs include:

• Envirothon, which is a hands on environmental education program focusing on aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and a special topic which changes annually. The OFA is the lead agency for Envirothon in Ontario. Under the OFA and its partners, this program has grown to include over 24 regions across Ontario, and over 1800 participants.

• Focus on Forests, is the premier forest education program for Ontario educators. Delivered by the OFA, this online teaching tools provides information and activities designed to increase young people’s appreciation, and understanding of trees and forests.

• Smoky Bear, Tree Bee and Forest Careers Awareness