From Deb Pella Keen, MLF Executive Director

On , I had the pleasure of attending the 50th Annual Forest Health Review in Barrie, Ontario — an important opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and learn from others working to protect and sustain our forests.

One of the key messages was the importance of science and citizen science in advancing our understanding of forest health. Together, they play a vital role in strengthening the “supply chain of knowledge transfer” (quote by Dr Stephanie Seymour, NRC)  connecting research, observations, and data with the people and organizations who can turn that knowledge into meaningful action.

As forest health challenges continue to evolve, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based decision-making are more important than ever. Events like this remind us of the value of bringing together researchers, practitioners, and engaged citizens to learn from one another and support the health and resilience of our forests.

A sincere thank you to the organizers for bringing everyone together for this milestone event, and to all the presenters for sharing their expertise, research, and insights. Your contributions help move forest health knowledge forward.

Here’s to continued collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to healthy, resilient forests!