About Forestry Sector Council
We’re building a skilled, sustainable forestry workforce in Nova Scotia.
Who We Are
Sustainable, diverse and growing
The Forestry Sector Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing a skilled and professional workforce for the forestry industry in Nova Scotia.
We collaborate with partners to identify and address labour challenges, advance human resources innovation, and build capacity in our sector across Nova Scotia.
We are one of 14 provincial sector councils and a member of the Association of Industry Sector Councils.
What We Do
- Workforce planning and labour market insights
- Training and skills development programs
- Industry collaboration and partnerships
- Support for employers and job seekers
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation, & Accessibility (EDIRA)
The Forestry Sector Council is committed to building a forestry sector that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all.
Equity
Promoting fair access to opportunities across the sector.
Diversity
Supporting participation from underrepresented groups.
Inclusion
Creating environments where people feel valued and supported.
Reconciliation
Advancing meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities.
Accessibility
Reducing barriers to entry, training, and employment.
VISION
Cultivating a workforce like our forests – sustainable, diverse and growing.
MISSION
Through attraction and retention, training, and building on human resource capacity, we will create the workforce of the future for Nova Scotia’s forestry sector.
VALUES
Collaboration
Sustainability
Diversity
2025-26 Board of Directors
Andrew Fedora
CHAIR
Andrew Fedora
BOARD CHAIR
Andrew Fedora is currently employed with the Nova Scotia Community College’s Centre of Forest Innovation. Over the last 25 years, he has worked for private industry, non-profit and government organizations, all within the forestry sector. His experience includes serving on boards such as the Maritime College of Forest Technology, Forest Nova Scotia, the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners, and the East Coast Music Association.
Andrew has a unique combined expertise in leadership, outreach, education, communications & applied forestry. He lives in Judique with his wife, their two young boys, and a variety of animals on their 37-acre homestead.
“If I were to choose a superpower, I suppose it might be teleportation. It would reduce my carbon footprint and save me a fortune on tires and auto insurance. It would also let me go directly from bed to my coffee maker in the morning.”
Cassie Turple
VICE CHAIR
Cassie Turple
BOARD VICE CHAIR
Cassie Turple is a third-generation sawmiller from Enfield, Nova Scotia. She is an Executive Member and Past President of the Wood Product Manufacturers Association of Nova Scotia (WPMAS). Cassie is also a Past President of Forest Nova Scotia and a Board Member of the Canadian Woodlands Forum. Her family’s sawmill, Ledwidge Lumber, produces over 70 million fbm stud lumber annually, employing over 90 people and exporting half to the U.S., and the rest currently stay in Atlantic Canada.
Cassie is the Communications Coordinator for Ledwidge Lumber managing employees, community, and government relations with a Bachelor of Public Relations Degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. Cassie is happily married with two children and spends as much time as possible outdoors with her family.
“Superpower – definitely the ability to fly.”
Jocelyn Taylor Archibald
SECRETARY TREASURER
Jocelyn Taylor Archibald
BOARD SECRETARY TREASURER
Jocelyn has been employed with Taylor Lumber Company Limited for over 15 years in various roles (from a woods crew to management). Some of the unique values she brings to the board table are her in-depth knowledge of the forest industry, her integrity, and professionalism, as well as her ability to work as a team player. Highlights of her career are tenures on various boards, including the Maritime Lumber Bureau where she had the privilege of being the first female Director and Chair, Forest Nova Scotia, and now the Forestry Sector Council.
Jocelyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Finance from Dalhousie University, as well as various industry-related certifications, including training and licenses as a Scaler, a Watercourse Alteration and Bridge Installer, and workplace safety programs.
“If I could possess one superpower it would be super speed, so I could complete my tasks faster, allowing me to enjoy more time with my family.”
Adam Scott
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Adam Scott
BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Adam is currently a Project Manager with Scott and Stewart Forestry Consultants Ltd. Scott and Stewart are one of Atlantic Canada’s largest non-industrial management firms, representing 50+ full-time employees and up to 200 seasonal workers across the forest sector. He has 15 years of experience as a silviculture worker in planting, manual weeding, and pre-commercial thinning/spacing. and he has supervised silviculture, harvesting, and land crews for 7 years.
Adam acquired a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics and Heath Sciences from St. Francis Xavier University in 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiation Sciences and an Advanced Diploma in Medical Radiation Therapy from the University of Toronto.
Unique values that Adam brings to the table are on-the-ground experience in forest management, labour in all forestry activities from seed acquisition to final felling for forest products, and many stops in between. He has valuable insight into the labour force for a variety of forest workers.
“My superpower would be the ability to slow or stop time. On those days that seem to disappear before you even get started, it would be nice to slow things down for a bit. Also, who would not like the feeling of a longer weekend.”
Heidi Urquhart
DIRECTOR
Heidi Urquhart
BOARD DIRECTOR
Heidi has been employed with Port Hawkesbury Paper in the capacity of Human Resources Manager since 2012. Prior to that (2010-2012) she worked in the NewPage HR team as Organization Development Leader. Before returning ‘home’ to Cape Breton in 2010, she spent 13 years in Halifax working in various management roles within the Brewing Industry.
After high school, she attended NS Agricultural College and completed a Chemical Laboratory Diploma. While working full-time, she returned to school at St. Mary’s University completing a Chemistry Degree. Heidi holds an HR designation and is an active member of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Nova Scotia (CPHRNS).
“I would like to possess the ability to heal others.”
Daniel Freeman
DIRECTOR
Daniel Freeman
BOARD DIRECTOR
Daniel Freeman is currently employed at Freeman Lumber as the Health and Safety/ISO Coordinator/HR employment and recruitment. His educational background is St. F.X. University BA Human Kinetics and the University of Maine Presque Isle BSc BEd. Daniel was a teacher in Calgary for over fourteen years as a Junior High/Elementary Math/Science and Physical Education teacher. During his time in the education system he coached many sports teams and was Assistant Athletic Director.
At Freeman Lumber where there are roughly 180 employees, he works to educate to ensure safe work procedures in many different types of jobs.
Daniel and his wife Kerry and two children, Emerson and Elliott, moved from Calgary in 2021 to start his new job in Greenfield, NS. As a family, they enjoy the outdoors and spend much of their time away from work hiking/fishing/hunting or enjoying everything the South Shore has to offer.
Dennis Bedford
DIRECTOR
Dennis Bedford
BOARD DIRECTOR
Dennis is the Owner Operator of D. Bedford Forestry Services Inc. based along the South Shore of Nova Scotia. He was born in Nova Scotia, raised in Ontario and moved to Alberta where he became a scuba instructor. He traveled extensively before landing back in Northern Ontario where he started his career in Forestry as a tree planter. From tree planter to crew boss to PCT/brush-saw operator and back to Nova Scotia where he was part owner of a successful Silviculture company for 25 years.
In 2023 Dennis launched D. Bedford Forestry Services Inc. with the intention of finding and training the next generation of Silviculture workers and to be a part of the initiative to help develop successful strategies for standardization and elevate the importance of Silviculture work in the Province.
Dennis is a natural leader and excels in helping others find their own strengths through teaching and mentoring. He’s coached hockey, soccer, baseball and snowboarding to youth and instructed scuba diving for many years, making his mentorship and training program with D. Beford Forestry Services Inc. a natural fit.
He believes in the changes that he sees that need to happen in the industry and is off and running at achieving those goals. His love for the forests of Nova Scotia and how they are intended to be managed is the driving force behind his vision.
For fun, Dennis enjoys time with his teenage son, family and friends. He always enjoys the thrill of trying new things, which most recently is climbing trees. He’s skilled at most things and master of none. He enjoys gardening and the art of slow that goes with that such as seed starting and preserving. Construction for a hobby greenhouse has started on his property where he hopes to grow fresh food year-round. He loves to play hockey, camp, ride his motorbike, enjoy life on 2 lakes and rarely sleeps.
If he could have a superpower, it would be to turn each day into 2 to be able to spend more time with his family and to do more of the things he loves with a little extra time to relax.
Jason MacLean
DIRECTOR
Jason MacLean
BOARD DIRECTOR
Jason MacLean’s official title is UINR’s Director of Forestry and just about every day he is in the woods. And when he is not out traipsing around the forest – he’s thinking about being there!
Jason graduated with Honours as a Forest Technician from Maritime Forest Ranger School in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He has worked for many years in the sector including MPValley Lumber in East Margaree, where he was a Forest Technician responsible for supervising forestry workers and harvesting operations. He also worked with JLC Forestry Operations in Antigonish as a Forest Technician responsible for silviculture block layout.
Jason also spent time working in the forests of British Columbia. Jason’s day-to-day work at UINR involves assisting in the supervision of forestry operations and monitoring contractors’ work quality, production and harvest block layout. He ensures that every job complies with environmental guidelines.
When Jason is not working in the woods he is – you guessed it – playing in the woods! He loves to get out on his four wheeler. You can find him playing hockey, golf, skiing, or just about any outdoor activity.
“I have worked in other professions over the years, but it is great to be back in forestry doing what I am most passionate about. It is also nice to be part of a team that not only care about their work, but each other too.”
Gareth Davies
DIRECTOR
Gareth Davies
BOARD DIRECTOR
Gareth Davies is the Director of Continuing Education & Program Development at the Maritime College of Forest Technology (MCFT). Gareth is a Professional Forest Technologist, and professional educator.
As well as being a former Instructor and Academic Chair, Gareth has more than 30 years work experience in applied operational forestry. Gareth’s professional expertise is centered on applied silviculture; ecological silviculture; forestry operations; and associated forest sampling and assessment.
Gareth is also a small farmer and active woodlot
owner, living on a homestead-woodlot with his family in Stanley, New Brunswick
Team
Kerri Marshall
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kerri Marshall
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Known for her strong communication skills, commitment to equity, and ability to build lasting partnerships, Kerri continues to act as a connector between communities and opportunities, helping individuals thrive and employers build inclusive, resilient workforces.
Zoe Croke
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Zoe Croke
TRAINING COORDINATOR
Zoe is our dedicated and creative Training Coordinator, focused on developing and communicating training programs that upskill both new and existing employees in the forestry sector. In collaboration with our internal team, external training providers, partner organizations, industry stakeholders, and employers, she ensures that training initiatives meet industry needs and best practices.
In addition to her training responsibilities, Zoe is involved in outreach efforts to communicate the existing opportunities and career paths within the sector, from seed to stump. By highlighting the diverse roles available, she aims to foster connections between potential workers and the industry, increasing interest in forestry careers and ensuring the sustainable development of a skilled workforce.
Beyond her role, Zoe is a lifelong learner with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University, focused on Employment Relations. She has a diverse background, including her most recent experience as a Learning and Development Lead in the Information Technology sector, where she was responsible for employee onboarding, training content curation, website management, and webinar facilitation. She also served as a Logistics Coordinator on a pilot project in Nova Scotia’s non-profit sector, supporting professional skill development. Previously recognized for her creative problem-solving approach to business challenges, Zoe is passionate about innovation and employee engagement.
Rooted in the Annapolis Valley, where she grew up and still resides, Zoe enjoys outdoor adventures of all types—from beach outings and gardening to sightseeing and exercising her big goofy dog. Thrill-seeking activities like skydiving, amusement parks and water sports are also on her agenda (less frequently these days); nothing is off the table as long as there’s a thrill or a scenic view involved.
“If I could have any superpower, it would be time bending—slowing down moments to savour more time with my daughter while she’s tiny (she’s growing at hyper speed!), making more time for hobbies, and spending more time with loved ones.“
Kyle MacKay
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Kyle MacKay
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Chris Garcelon
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
Chris Garcelon
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
Born in Vancouver and raised in various places across the Country, Chris has embraced a diverse range of experiences throughout his life, living in places as varied as Saint John, St. Andrews, Canmore, Jasper, and even Bermuda. Finally, setting roots here in the Maritimes, he considers Fredericton his hometown. Chris is excited to embark on this new chapter here in Nova Scotia, where he will serve the West region of the province.
A self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades and a lifelong learner, Chris possesses a broad skill set that enables him to tackle challenges from multiple perspectives. His passion for the outdoors is reflected in his numerous hobbies, which include camping, hunting/foraging, swimming, biking, snowboarding, etc.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick, graduating as a member of the class of 2017. Shortly after, he seized an opportunity in the booming new cannabis industry, where he quickly advanced through various roles to become a Continuous Improvement Specialist. In this capacity, he earned a Green Belt Certification, honing his skills in identifying inefficiencies and implementing effective solutions.
Now, Chris is eager to apply his expertise in continuous improvement to the forestry sector. The Forestry Sector Council will collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance industry processes, striving to make them more equitable and profitable. With a fresh perspective and a commitment to innovation, Chris is excited to see what is in store in his journey with the Forestry Sector Council team.
“If I could have a superpower, it would be the ability to morph into anything. This power would allow me to truly understand different perspectives; I could put myself in anyone’s shoes—literally and figuratively. It would be an incredible way to connect with others and gain insights into their knowledge.“
Ariel Durning
OFFICE AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Ariel Durning
OFFICE AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Ariel Durning brings a strong background in administration and client service to her new role as Office and Program Administrator at the Forestry Sector Council. With previous experience as a legal assistant specializing in residential real estate, she has developed a keen eye for detail and a natural ability to keep operations running smoothly.
After seven years of living and working in beautiful Southwest Nova Scotia, Ariel recently returned to her hometown of Truro to be closer to family and friends. She studied Business Administration at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), and is known among colleagues as an organized, approachable, and people-focused team member who thrives in dynamic environments.
Outside of work, Ariel enjoys attending music festivals, painting, gardening, and spending quality time with friends.
“If I could have any super power I think I would chose time manipulation, to slow down or press rewind on the good times to enjoy them a little longer, or hit that fast forward button to get through the less enjoyable tasks a little quicker”
Samantha Chu
TRAINING COORDINATOR
Samantha Chu
TRAINING COORDINATOR
Samantha is originally from Toronto but has called Halifax home for the past eight years. She completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at Dalhousie University, earning a Bachelor of Management with a major in Sustainability, followed by a Master of Environmental Studies, where she researched forestry communications in Canada. She has worked across federal and provincial government, as well as in the non profit sector.
Samantha cares deeply about forests and the people connected to them, and she’s excited to turn her master’s research into meaningful, on the ground action.
Outside of work, you can usually find Samantha outdoors (climbing in the summer, cross country skiing in the winter) or working on her newest hobby, stained glass.
Our Indigenous Roots
Land Acknowledgement
The Forestry Sector Council is headquartered in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
Treaties & Ongoing Relationships
This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, first signed in 1726. These treaties did not involve the surrender of land, but established an ongoing relationship between nations.
Forests & Community Wellbeing
Forests play an essential role in the cultural and economic well-being of Indigenous communities. Sustainable forest management within traditional territories is critical to supporting that connection.
Our Commitment
We support increased Indigenous participation in the forestry sector and recognize the importance of collaboration in building a stronger, more sustainable industry.
Partners
