The CIF Rocky Mountain Section recognizes the academic achievements and contributions to the campus forestry community of students in forestry programs at the University of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. There are both national and section awards.
National awards include the Prince of Wales Forest Leadership Award, the Gold Medal award, the J. Michael Waldram Memorial Model Forest Fellowship and the Schlich Memorial Prize.
There are five section awards split between the U of A and NAIT: the Rocky Mountain Section – Canadian Institute of Forestry (RMS-CIF) Bursary, the Rocky Mountain Section Field Camp Award (also called the CIF-RMS prize), the Rocky Mountain Section – Canadian Institute of Forestry (RMS-CIF) Aboriginal Bursary, the Rocky Mountain Section – Canadian Institute of Forestry (RMS-CIF) Bursary (also called the RMS 1 st Year → 2 nd Year Bursary), and the Rocky Mountain Section (RMS) Book Prize.
Contact Stan Kavalinas if you’d like more information concerning these student awards. Complete information on the CIF’s suite of national awards can be found at national awards
Each year the Canadian Institute of Forestry presents a Gold Medal plaque to a graduating student for a combination of outstanding scholarship, sports and citizenship throughout their years in the program. One recipient is selected from each of the eligible University Forestry Schools and Forestry Technical Schools in Canada. In addition to the Gold Medal plaque, the recipient will receive a one-year CIF membership and have their photograph and a short article submitted to the Canadian Institute of Forestry for future publication.
2023: Aidan Holland
2022: Zena Martin
2021: Steve Mitchell
2020: Fionnuala Carroll
2019: Gillian Stauffer
2018: Wilson Shilis
2023: Sydney Nichols
2022: Alexandra Rutherford
2021: Nathaniel Barker
2020: Gareth Carey
2019: Jesse Sumner
2018: Annette Bugnet
2017: Lauren Brookes
The Fellowship is open to all Canadian Aboriginal youth enrolled in their second or higher year in either a degree or diploma program in natural resources management at a Canadian university or college. The Fellowship was established in 2006 and the first Fellowship was awarded in 2008. The Fellowship comes with a $1,000 prize.
The Schlich Memorial Prize is awarded at the CIF’s annual general meeting and conference to an outstanding student chosen by the university and technical school(s) represented by the hosting Section(s). The Schlich Memorial Prize is named after Sir William Schlich, a German forester born in 1840 who became Inspector General of Forests to the Government of India. He founded the School of Forestry at Oxford in 1905. The Oxford Forestry School sponsored a campaign to create the Schlich Memorial Fund in 1929. The Memorial comes with a medallion plus a $500 prize and was awarded to Gillian Stauffer of the U of A at the Annual General Meeting in Grande Prairie in 2018.
The Prince of Wales Forest Leadership Award provides successful applicants with an international student exchange to the United Kingdom. Each year, two students selected from Canada will have an opportunity to gain from a broad range of interdisciplinary experience.
To be eligible, the applicant must be student members of the Canadian Institute of Forestry that have spent at least 3 years in a Silver Ring recognized university forestry/natural resources program, or at least one year in a college forestry/natural resources program. Consideration is given to the individual’s
personal engagement and activity with respect to sustainable forest management as it relates to career achievement to date, volunteerism, leadership, citizenship, academics, extra-curricular activities, and other personal and professional accomplishments. The Prince of Wales Forest Leadership Award is subject to available funding in the year of offer.
This bursary is based on academic standing in 2 nd , 3 rd or 4 th year of BSc in Forestry or Business Management and leadership qualities demonstrated by Forest Society and CIF involvement as well as financial need. This bursary comes with at least a $700 prize in light of recent prize disbursements. The prize amount may change again when/if the RMS assumes control of the endowment.
2022: Teaghan Moore
2021: Liam Babchuk
2020: Douglas Burton
2019: Evan Littauer
2018: Ming Cao
2017: Jordan Sykes
This award based on superior academic achievement, leadership and participation in RENR 290 Field School. This award comes with a $200 prize.
2022: Evan Stirling
2021: Jessica Lagroix
2020: Dominique Letourneau
2019: TBA
2018: TBA
2017: Lauren Mar
This bursary is available to an aboriginal student enrolled in the first or second level of the Forest Technology program. It is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and comes with a $1,000 prize.
2023: Kyle McFeeters
2022: Raven Cardinal
2021: Damon Kennedy
2020: Jenna Berger, Taylor Filliol
2019: Not awarded due to lack of applicants
2018: Melissa Gauchier
2017: Haley Stayko
This bursary is available to a student entering their second year of the Forest Technology Program. The recipient will be selected on the basis of leadership qualities as demonstrated by involvement in extra-6 curricular and community activities and academic standing. Preference will be given to a student with a demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be a current student member of RMS-CIF. This award comes with a $1,000 prize.
2023: Jayden Perpelitz
2022: Sidney Ogrodiuk
2021: Taylor Filliol
2020: Justin Parsons
2019: Stephanie Penner
2018: Sarah Ashe
2017: Heather Kitz
This prize is based on the highest average mark over 4 courses: Forest Insect & Diseases, Forest Engineering & Reclamation, Watershed Management and Harvest Planning. This prize comes with a free one-year Canadian Institute of Forestry membership. The book is provided by the Canadian Forest Service. To be eligible for this award, students must be members of the Canadian Institute of Forestry.
2023: Sydney Nichols
2022: Kimberly Bourgeois
2021: Nathaniel Barker
2020: Justin Parsons
2019: Desiree Gerber
2018: Annette Bugnet
2017: Lauren Brookes