Silver Ring Program
As the "Voice of Forest Practitioners", it is one of the Institute's objectives to welcome individuals to the profession of forestry. It has been our tradition since 1967, to present Silver Rings to graduating students from Canadian Institute of Forestry recognized Canadian forestry programs. History
The very first Silver Ring ceremony was held in 1953 at the University of British Columbia (UBC), organized by the graduating class of forestry and forest engineering. It quickly became a tradition at UBC and by 1961, was adopted by the other three forestry schools (University of New Brunswick, Laval and University of Toronto) across the country. The Institute was asked to undertake the responsibility for the program, and in 1967 assumed it as a Centennial project. Since then, all graduates from Canadian Institute of Forestry recognized forestry baccalaureate programs have received identical Silver Rings. In 2002, the Institute was proud to formally welcome graduates from their recognized forestry technical schools. Graduates are proud of this national tradition. It is fitting that the Canadian Institute of Forestry, as the only national organization of forest practitioners in Canada, honour the graduates at this event.
Significance of the Ring
The Canadian Institute of Forestry provides the Silver Ring as a welcome to the profession of forestry. It is a symbol of achievement in having completed an Institute recognized forestry program. The Silver Ring is visible evidence of the national bond among Canadian forestry graduates - a bond that overrides differences in levels of responsibility, differences in employment status, differences in province of residence, and differences in language. The forestry baccalaureate program Silver Rings are marked with a small raised tree and the forestry technical program Silver Rings are engraved with a leaf; each are symbolic of our forest ecosystems and their inherent values.
The Silver Ring provided is normally worn on the little finger of the working hand with the tip of the tree or the leaf growing out, symbolic of a growing professional responsibility.
Watch a video about our silver rings: click here
Read a newsletter from UBC's 2007 Ring Ceremony: click here
Silver Ring Order Form & Replacement Order Form: click here
Listing of Institute Recognized Forestry Programs
College & Technical School Forestry Programs
