The Story of my Forester’s Ring

In Canada, forestry school graduates are given a silver ring by the Canadian Institute of Forestry. It’s a tradition similar to the iron ring worn by Canadian engineers; a symbol of our professional responsibility. Worn on the working hand, this ring is a reminder that foresters must serve as stewards of the land.

I received my ring in a ceremony at the end of forestry school in British Columbia. I proudly wore it to my new job planting trees the next week. I often got dirt stuck under the band, and the edges of the silver tree got worn down from the grit. Later, I wore it in the lab in graduate school, under my gloves while I dissected acorns for genotyping.

When I left that career behind to become a full time painter, I took the silver ring off and put it away, figuring I was giving up the right to wear it. 

Recently, I decided to put it back on. Though I no longer work in forestry, I still feel a professional responsibility to keep that promise with the skills I have and the work I’ve chosen. I’m broadening my idea of what it means to be a steward of the land. In truth, I’m better at painting than I ever was at being a forester or scientist, but my love of forests is still central to my work. I chose the aspen leaf as my art logo and I stamp it onto the back of each piece.

I now use my artwork to raise funding for conservation. With my collectors’ help, I’ve raised over $50K for nonprofits with my artwork. I hope that as my following grows, I can use my art to share what I’ve learned about the importance of the natural world and how we can protect it. It’s a privilege to do this with my work, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my collectors.