How can we build a relationship with forests that everyone can be proud of? How can we stand up for forests while supporting human development? How can we be a part of forest climate solutions? We need public engagement! Forest Proud can help with that. We talk forests as climate solutions, forest values, tree data, and my favorite, tree equity! Sponsors West Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ Forest Proud: https://forestproud.org/ Giveaway Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount! Quotes 06.02 - 06.06: “If you live, work or play with forests or forest products, we think you are part of the climate solution.” Takeaways Forest climate solutions (05.44) Rae is Director, Partner Experience at Forest Proud, a non-profit supporting forest climate solutions by championing sustainable forestry and helping people establish a symbiotic relationship with forests and forest products. Everyone, from those who enjoy forests to those who work with forests, has a part to play in stewarding forest climate solutions. Tell me your story (9.11) Forest Proud helps different parties working with forests tell their stories to each other to see how they form a cohesive whole. They also find content that is relevant to forest management and bring them into social conversations to support climate solutions. They also dig deeper into conversations already taking place to help inform and educate about the cycle of forest management. Education and information to inform solutions (12.38) Rae talks about how people’s perceptions of forestry can be varied and shaped by the media. and believes that everyone can be a part of forest climate solutions. Lead with pride (17.40) Rae recommends sharing the passion foresters feel and how they are a part of the solution, to help others see how they can contribute to climate solutions through their own actions. Rae believes “that ability to feel plugged into something bigger than us is something that is missing“, which stories can provide. Be the change (22.03) Rae studied social sciences at university and enjoyed activities like hiking, hunting and fishing. Rae worked in data collection and communication for the social sector for 5-6 years, observing the impact of forests on anti-poverty data. Doing tree planting and advocacy on the side, Rae found forestry to be an ideal career to combine people-based solutions with environmental solutions. #forestproud (33.01) Forest Proud has created an online community of people advancing forest solutions through #forestproud. Forest Proud can help craft your message in a way that is relatable to different people at different stages of environmental concern and contribution. Tree equity (48.12) Rae defines tree equity as having enough trees in any locality so that all residents can enjoy the benefits of trees - health, economic, recreational, and emotional. There should be at least 3 trees for every person to enjoy.