Lesser Slave Forest Education Society

The Lesser Slave Forest Education Society (LSFES) is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to forest-focused environmental education in the Lesser Slave Lake region of Alberta. Established in 2000, the society aims to increase public awareness and understanding of forestry and sustainable forest management through hands-on, curriculum-based educational programs targeted at students, teachers, and community groups.

Mission and Activities

LSFES is committed to delivering high-quality forestry education experiences that connect participants directly with the boreal forest environment. Their educational offerings include field trips, classroom presentations, hikes, camps, logger sports competitions, career fairs, and virtual presentations. These programs are designed to align with school curricula and provide practical learning opportunities about the ecology of the boreal forest, sustainable forest management, and forestry career options.

The society actively involves Indigenous Elders, forestry professionals, and educators to enrich the educational experience, emphasizing sustainable forest stewardship and the cultural significance of the forest landscape. By offering these programs free of charge, LSFES ensures equitable access to forest education for rural and Indigenous youth and community members.

Impact and Reach

Since its inception, LSFES has engaged over 111,000 participants through its various education initiatives, significantly contributing to environmental education in northern Alberta. Programs delivered by LSFES have reached over 2,000 students, parents, and teachers annually, fostering knowledge of boreal forest ecosystems and promoting stewardship in the Lesser Slave Lake region.

Governance and Support

The society is governed by a volunteer board comprising representatives from industry, schools, and government agencies who share a commitment to environmental education and sustainable forestry practices. The organization is registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (Business Number: 864454095RR0001), which helps it secure funding and grants to support its programs.

LSFES collaborates with Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified companies and other partners to provide unbiased, science-based information and to highlight forestry career pathways. These partnerships enhance the society’s capacity to deliver its educational mission and foster community engagement in forest conservation.

Resources and Educational Materials

LSFES provides a variety of resources for educators, including lesson plans, curriculum guides, and tools like a dichotomous key for grade 4 students to support learning about forest ecology and species identification. These materials are aimed at complementing the Alberta Science Curriculum and support teachers in delivering forest-related education in classrooms.

See Also

• Boreal forest
• Sustainable forestry
• Environmental education in Canada

This article summarizes the key aspects of the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society, emphasizing its role in forest education, community engagement, and sustainable forestry awareness in Alberta.