Five students from across the country are bringing their unique voices to the forests this summer. Now in its twelfth year, Forest Products Association of Canada’s (FPAC) 2025 Green Dream Internship Program offers students an opportunity to explore the sector from the inside out, share their experiences, and receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their studies.
Over six weeks, Green Dream Interns will document their time in the field through creative storytelling on social media – from personal reflections on career pathways to interviews with industry professionals. They will also produce short videos capturing everyday moments in forest operations, offering an authentic look at what sustainable forest management looks like on the ground in 2025.
“The Green Dream Internship is a window into the next generation of talent in our sector”, said FPAC President and CEO, Derek Nighbor. “Every year the students bring fresh energy, ideas and perspective to forestry, and in turn, they gain real-world experience in one of Canada’s most essential sectors. We’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s interns create and share as they dive into their summer experiences.”
Follow the Green Dream interns’ journeys on FPAC’s X and LinkedIn social media channels.
2025 Green Dream Interns include:
- Marina Penner, Mercer International, Peace River, AB
- Cynthia Laflamme, Domtar, Dolbeau-Mistassini, QC
- Andy Chen, West Fraser, Slave Lake, AB
- Elizabeth Phillips, Tolko Industries, Meadow Lake, SK
- Logan Englot, Weyerhaeuser, Hudson Bay, SK
Background Information
Marina Penner, a Woodlands Summer Student at Mercer Peace River, grew up in the boreal forest of northwestern Alberta’s Peace Region—an environment that sparked her passion for forestry. Currently completing her degree in Environmental Studies and Geography at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Marina brings a unique, cross-country perspective to her work. Her academic and professional experiences have deepened her understanding of Canada’s diverse forest ecosystems, legislation, and geography. Passionate about northern communities and sustainable forestry, Marina hopes to pursue further education with a focus on forest management.
Cynthia Laflamme is a forestry engineering student at Université Laval, currently enrolled in the cooperative bachelor's program in forest operations. After a previous career path, her growing connection to nature—through trail running, hiking, and fishing—led her to discover the calming power of the forest and inspired a meaningful career change. With forestry deeply rooted in her family, she embraced this new direction with enthusiasm. Passionate about student life, she now serves as Vice President of Communications for the Forestry and Environment Student Association and as Communications Coordinator for Forest Science Week. Though the journey has been challenging, she takes great pride in her accomplishments and the path she’s chosen.
Andy Chen is a third-year Wood Products Processing student at the University of British Columbia, originally from Victoria, B.C. Passionate about sustainability and innovation in Canada’s forest sector, Andy is spending the summer as a Quality Control and Process Analyst at West Fraser’s veneer facility in Slave Lake, Alberta. He is leading a project to optimize the mill’s log conditioning process by analyzing temperature, veneer quality, and energy use—aiming to enhance product quality while reducing environmental impact. With a strong academic foundation in wood science, Andy thrives on applying technical knowledge to real-world challenges.
Elizabeth Phillips, a student at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus, is spending her summer gaining hands-on experience in sustainable forestry with Tolko Industries in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Management and Forestry, Liz is working in Tolko’s woodlands division, contributing to operations involving oriented strand board (OSB). Originally from Prince Edward Island, Liz has a lifelong passion for the outdoors and ecosystem stewardship, shaped by her experiences exploring forests across Canada.
Logan Englot, a third-year student at the University of Saskatchewan, is pursuing a degree in Renewable Resource Management with a minor in Toxicology and a Certificate in Sustainability. Originally from Melfort, Saskatchewan, Logan is spending the summer as a Forestry Intern with Weyerhaeuser Timberlands in Hudson Bay, where she is gaining hands-on experience in sustainable forestry and wood product production. Passionate about the environment from a young age, Logan is committed to advancing sustainability and innovation in the forestry sector.
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $87.2B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers—providing 200,000 direct jobs and operating in hundreds of communities across the country. Our members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, government bodies, and other key stakeholders to develop a cross-Canada forest sector action plan to advance forest health while supporting workers, communities and our environment for the long term.
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