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Excellence in Forestry Operations Award1

Excellence in Forestry Operations Award

Nomination Information Package – 2025

The Canadian Woodlands Forum (CWF) is pleased to invite nominations for the Excellence in Forestry Operations Award, celebrating exemplary performance and professionalism in forest harvesting, trucking, and silviculture operations across Atlantic Canada.

This award recognizes contractor businesses whose work demonstrates leadership in safe, productive, environmentally responsible, and people-focused forestry operations. We encourage companies, suppliers, landowners, and partners across the region to nominate outstanding candidates.

To honour contractors who consistently demonstrate excellence in:

  • Operational performance and business management
  • Worker wellbeing, training, and retention
  • Environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance
  • Innovation and continuous improvement in the forestry sector

The recipients of the Excellence in Forestry Operations Award will receive:

  • An engraved wood plaque crafted from regional hardwood
  • Recognition during the CWF Spring Meeting Awards Luncheon
  • A digital feature video or profile story shared across CWF social media, website, and newsletter

Candidates may include contractors involved in:

  • Forest harvesting operations 
  • Trucking and wood transport from forest to mill
  • Silviculture operations, including planting, spacing, pre-commercial thinning, and related services

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Operate as a professional contractor
  • Meet all workplace, environmental, and industry regulations
  • Maintain appropriate business insurance
  • Demonstrate good utilization, optimization, and responsible operational practices
  • Ensure proper equipment maintenance and worker safety
  • Engage positively with landowners, companies, regulators, and local communities

Nominations will be evaluated across five key categories:

Safety and Compliance

A proven safety record, proactive safety culture, and consistent adherence to occupational, transportation, and environmental regulations.

Operational Excellence

Strong productivity metrics; consistent delivery of high-quality work; reliability in meeting contractual commitments, project timelines, and operational standards.

Workforce Development

Commitment to crew training, professional development, employee retention, and fostering a respectful, supportive, and inclusive workplace environment.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Deployment of new ideas, technologies, or process improvements that increase operational efficiency, productivity, sustainability, or safety.

Industry Engagement and Reputation

Exhibiting professionalism, integrity, and leadership; contributing to the forestry community; upholding a positive reputation among peers, clients, and partners.

To nominate a deserving contractor, please submit the following:

Completed Nomination Form
 (Attach form or provide link/appendix as required)

Nomination Letter
 Outline why the candidate should be considered, including:

  • Approach to running their business
  • Examples of ingenuity, innovation, or process improvements
  • Significant accomplishments and contributions to the sector

At Least One Letter of Reference
 References may come from clients, suppliers, forestry professionals, partners, or community representatives.

Supporting Materials

  • Photos of contractor, crew, onsite photos
  • Additional documentation or testimonials 

Nominations will be accepted from CWF members and non-members, including forest product companies, suppliers, woodlot organizations, and government agencies. Member companies may nominate recipients of their internal awards.

January 30, 2026

All nomination materials must be submitted by the deadline to be considered.

  • The CWF evaluation panel will review all submissions.
  • Top candidates will be shortlisted based on the written nomination materials.
  • A field visit or interview may be conducted for final evaluation.
  • Award recipients will be selected and recognized at the CWF Spring Meeting.
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nomination form