This section presents highlights of the 2005 event, which was held on March 1-3 2005 and was attended by some 300 delegates from Canada, the US, the UK, Russia, Chile, Uruguay and India.

The conference featured some forty prominent speakers and discussed sustainable forestry, certification and responsible procurement developments and the increasing role of multi-stakeholder forest partnerships in North America.

Conference keynote speakers were Gail Beggs, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Monte Hummel, President Emeritus, WWF-Canada; and Sally Collins, Associate Chief, USDA Forest Service. Pekka Patosaari, Director, United Nations Forum on Forests, who was also scheduled as a keynote speaker, had to cancel at the last minute his trip to Toronto, but his presentation can be found here. The conference special guest speaker was Patrick Moore, Co-Founder of Greenpeace, consultant, author and public speaker.

The conference was widely hailed by participants as a success. Material regarding the conference, including powerpoint presentations, pictures and video clips will be posted on this website by March 18.

Below are selected testimonials provided by participants following the event.

Tremendous speakers. Tremendous information. Very well organized.
Daniel Folkins, SNB Wood Coop

The conference surpassed all expectations both in quality and breadth of issues discussed. The professionalism in which the conference was conducted sets the standard for conference design and implementation. Thanks for a great experience.
Keith Mars, University of Tennessee

I’m impressed by how sophisticated sustainable forestry management programs have become. Great to hear what other organizations are doing.
Anonymous

Very well organized and great opportunity for side events with various partners and interests.
Mike Martel, Tembec

Congratulations on the three days of the program. I learned a lot, as I’m sure did all the other presenters and participants. Well done.
David Nitkin, President, Ethicscan Canada

Very positive influence, especially on future endeavours
Kirk Springett, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

ForestLeadership is the only opportunity that gets all of the key players required for sustainable forest management in the same room, talking about common problems.
Peter Johnson, CSA International

Excellent chance to meet and network with like-minded professionals.
Mike Gillis, Nova Scotia Primary Forest Products Marketing Board

The Conference provided a wide range of interests by many experts. I appreciated the high quality content and the opportunity to network.
George Finkenstaedt, Lanoga Corp.