Overview

The OPFA is committed to actively contributing to the sustainability of Ontario's forests by assuring the highest professional standards of practice in forestry. The OPFA will carry out this mandate by:

• Advocating the highest standards of practice;
• Establishing and enforcing high standards of professionalism among members;
• Promoting competency and continuing education among members;
• Influencing forest policy; and
• Enhancing public awareness.

What is the OPFA?

The OPFA is responsible for the regulation of the practice of professional forestry in Ontario and to govern its members in accordance with the Ontario Professional Foresters Act 2000, the regulations and the By-laws in order that the public interest may be served and protected. It is a member based, non-profit, non-political organization with approximately 1000 Registered Professional Foresters from all levels of government, industry and education.

The OPFA is dedicated to regulating its members and ensuring the highest standards in the practice of professional forestry, and in advancing the practice and awareness of forestry for both public and privately owned lands in the province of Ontario.

Membership in the OPFA is open to anyone who has or is seeking a career in the forestry profession. The Association was originally incorporated by the 25th Legislature of the Province of Ontario by Bill 10 on April 3, 1957 under the Professional Foresters Association Act.

The governing Council acts as the Board of Directors. The Council consists of at least nine elected members of the Association with representation from at least one Councilor for each of the OPFA's six regions (Northwest, Northeast, Centralwest, Centraleast, Southwest, Southeast) and five public appointees to Council. 

On October 16, 2000, Bill 110, An Act respecting the regulation of the practice of Professional Forestry (The Professional Foresters Act 2000), was passed by the Ontario Legislature. This legislation was proclaimed on May 1, 2001 and established the OPFA as the licensing body for professional foresters in Ontario. See also the Association By-laws and Regulations.

Registered Professional Foresters are committed to:

• The sound management of Ontario's forests;
• The highest professional standards of practice;
• Public accountability for their actions;
• The principles of stewardship and sustainability; and
• Adherence to a Code of Ethics or see Regulations.

Benefits of Membership include:

• Exclusive use of the title of Registered Professional Forester and the initials R.P.F.;
• Connections to an Ontario-wide professional, business and social network;
• Access to the OPFA's Continuing Education Program;
• Quarterly issues of The Professional Forester Newsletter;
• Career opportunities and technical information through the OPFA website;
• An annual conference;
• Discounts on Errors and Omissions Insurance; and
• Leadership development opportunities through volunteering in the OPFA.

Getting Involved:

The strength of our Association lies in the degree of enthusiasm which our members bring to the profession.
Beyond the basic level of service provided by OPFA staff, everything the OPFA does depends on the efforts and commitment of its volunteers.

Members can get involved by:

• Helping develop and implement policy;
• Supporting one of the many committees e.g.. Standards of Practice, Continuing Education;
• Sponsoring and mentoring Provisional Members in advancing to full membership;
• Serving a membership examiners; and
• Contributing to The Professional Forester Newsletter.

ASSOCIATION OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA) are to promote and increase the knowledge, skill and proficiency of its members in all things related to forestry and to regulate the practice of professional forestry among its members.

To meet this objective the association will:

• promote and increase the knowledge, skill and proficiency of its members in all things related to forestry;
• establish, maintain and develop standards of skill and knowledge among its members;
• establish, maintain, develop, and enforce standards of qualification and standards of practice for the practice of professional forestry;
• establish, maintain, and enforce a code of ethics among its members;
• receive and investigate complaints and allegations against its members and where necessary apply disciplinary measures;
• promote public awareness of the role of the Association and to communicate with the public on its members behalf; and
• provide vocational guidance to those wishing to enter the profession.

The OPFA has established a Code of Ethics as a guide for the Professional Forester's conduct in dealings with the public; clients; other professional foresters and oneself.

The Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA) and its members want to ensure that province's forests are managed in the public interest and to this end has developed its Strategic Plan. The association has completed discussions with government to increase the authority and accountability of the forestry profession in order to secure the highest standards of forest management in Ontario and achieved passage of The Professional Foresters Act 2000. The Association issues position statements on forestry matters. For information on becoming a member check out our membership page.

Licensing professional foresters has transformed the practice of forestry in Ontario. The practice of forestry will move, in law and in the marketplace, from a highly skilled occupation to a self-governing profession. The main reason the OPFA is promoting this change is the growing need for an accountable, independent profession to provide expert, professional services aimed at ensuring the best possible forest management practices in Ontario.

The Association has developed an excellent brochure, "Managing Your Woodlands", which sets out how an Registered Professional Forester or an Associate Member can help in the management of forest property. This brochure is available by contacting the OPFA office. The Association office maintains and has available a list of Consulting Registered Professional Foresters that are available to conduct consulting work.

The Province of Ontario has implemented a Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program to encourage the active management of private woodlands and provides for reduced property taxes on the woodlot. This program requires the completion and approval of a twenty year management plan and a ten-year plan of activities. A number of the Association's Registered Professional Foresters are certified as Plan Approvers.

This page last modified March 08, 2010