Forests are continuing to be recognized as a nature-based solution to leverage in the climate crisis, but they are complex ecosystems and often taken for granted. Further to this, the community of individuals who work in and around forests is seldom thought about and, in itself, is a niche field that is often misunderstood. As the global community continues to recognize the role of people/society in nature, visually showcasing the stories of the caretakers and the managers (among others) of global forested landscapes will be important to fill this gap and shape a narrative that will increase awareness and understanding by audiences.
This session will lay the foundation for understanding the impact of storytelling, focusing on the power of crafting stories and the opportunities for emerging leaders in the forest and environmental sectors. Together, we’ll explore how storytelling in its many forms — digital, visual, written, audio — can reshape narratives, foster inclusion, and catalyze forest-related advocacy and action.
✨ Enjoy a special screening of Youth4Nature's Faces of Forestry series, glimpsing what youth forest leaders around the world are doing at a local level to protect, manage, and care for forest ecosystems and communities in a changing climate.
✨ Take in “My Ancestors' Footsteps & the Land Here”, a portrait and storytelling series by Maggie Chang showcasing the work of young and racialized environmentalists.
✨ Engage in discussions about how we can harness storytelling to reshape narratives, foster inclusion, and catalyze forest-related advocacy and action.
Join us to celebrate the passion, impact, and vision of these youth as they lead with authenticity, creativity, and lived experience. These stories are a powerful reminder that the future of forests is not only in capable hands but in deeply inspired ones.
📍 Centre for Social Innovation (Spadina), Viola Desmond Room (3rd Floor)
📅 Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 4:30-6:00 pm local time
🌱 In collaboration with: Toronto Climate Week, Centre for Social Innovation, Maggie Chang
Venue notes: this event room can be reached via an elevator with a door of 30” width. Functionally, this means that while we are able to accommodate many accessibility devices, those using larger devices may need alternative arrangements.