OFA Contact Information

Staff

Tracy Smith, Acting Executive Director

Mr. Tracy Smith is the acting Executive Director for the OFA. He had a 30 year career with the Ontario Public Service until April 2009. He retired from the position of District Manager for the Ministry of Natural Resources in Aurora, Ontario. Since retirement Tracy has been involved on a volunteer basis with the Aurora Cultural Centre on the board of directors. the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust and the committee to establish the Ontario Water Centre on Lake Simcoe. Tracy is an avid hunter, angler and outdoors person.

Jessica Kaknevicius, Program Development Manager

Jessica holds a Masters of Forest Conservation and B.Sc. from the University of Toronto. Previous work experience includes coordinating a community garden and community tree planting events with Evergreen, tree planting, stream restoration, assisting with an entomology research project, and working as a Chain of Custody auditor for the Rainforest Alliance. She has been with the OFA since March 2009, starting as an Education Assistant before becoming the acting Education Programs Manager. She now works as the Program Development Manager, working alongside education and stewardship programs. Jessica is passionate about environmental education for youth and the general public.

Kristina Quinlan, Education Programs Manager

Kristina Quinlan holds an honours B.Sc in Ecology from the University of Guelph and has been with the Ontario Forestry Association since January 2006. As the Education Programs Manager she organizes the Tree Bee, Focus on Forests and Envirothon programs. She does this by working closely with a strong network of partner organizations, passionate teachers and enthusiastic students. Kristina has always been passionate about environmental education and is happy to be able to foster that passion into her work. She loves seeing the students excitement about the environment when delivering the programs and knows they have been impacted by their experience.

Mike Halferty, Forestry Programs Manager

Mike holds an honours B.Sc. and a Masters of Forest Conservation from The University of Toronto, as well as a Bachelor of Education. His past experience with the OFA has included work for the Ontario Envirothon provincial finals competition, administrative support for the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program and volunteering with TreeBee and other regional events. Prior to joining the OFA, Mike worked with the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Forestry Research Partnership in Mattawa, Ontario as an Extension Coordinator, promoting CIF/FRP programs and organizing technology-transfer workshops and tours. In his role with the OFA Mike aims to support forest stewardship in the province and promote awareness of the importance of Ontario's forests.

Allison Hands, Programs Administrative Assistant

Allison graduated from Trent University in 2007 with a Honours B.A. in Environmental Studies & Anthropology. Since then she has been involved with environmental and youth focused organizations in the not-for-profit sector. Allison joined the OFA team in November 2010 and she is thrilled to be supporting the work of the OFA and the different education and stewardship programs it offers.

2011 Board of Directors