The Board of Directors of the Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Leanne Elliott as General Manager. Leanne is a graduate of the Masters of Forest Conservation Program of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto. She has worked with the CMFN for two and half years, taking on progressively greater roles and responsibilities over time. Most recently, she has been the network's National Coordinator. Leanne has been instrumental in helping the CMFN to develop a highly effective collaborative network approach which has enabled it to achieve its numerous objectives under the Forest Communities Program.

From the beginning, she has worked diligently and effectively on progressing the CMFN's National Initiatives as well as other key projects from coast to coast. Leanne is also involved in facilitating the sharing of information between CMFN's members and partners, providing the opportunity for collaboration between groups with similar interests. She has liaised directly with strategic partners as well as Board representatives, General Managers and various other project personnel of the CMFN's 14 member Model Forests – earning their trust and friendship as she built relationships along the way. Leanne continues to play a key role in increasing the network's level of engagement with the International Model Forest Network and expanding the CMFN partnership base.

As General Manager she will be responsible for key program planning, implementation and administrative functions fundamental to the operation of the CMFN as a federally incorporated, not for profit organization. The national office of the CMFN is based in Kemptville, Ontario where it works to support the efforts of its member sites located across Canada.  Congratulations Leanne!

On October 20, two dynamic women from Model Forests on two different continents were interviewed together by Radio Canada: Colette Robertson, President of the Lac-Saint-Jean Model Forest (LSJMF); and Hélène Eboto, Founder of the Platform of women in Campo Ma'an, a Model Forest in Cameroon. They took turns answering questions which revealed that, despite coming from two dramatically different geographical and cultural areas, they share many common forest interests and values as well as challenges.

The two Model Forests have collaborated on some joint initiatives over the past few years – particularly around transferring knowledge and expertise on the cultivation of local 'non-timber forest product' economies (such as edible 'goods from the woods'), as well as the production of value-added wood products. Both Model Forests seek new and innovative ways to generate economic wealth at the community level that goes beyond traditional timber harvesting. For example, Lac-Saint-Jean has facilitated technology and skills transfer that has enabled the Platform of women in Campo Ma'an to create beautiful wooden pens from fallen timber that they can in turn sell for much needed revenue.

Hélène recounts that at first people in her African community were scared of the of the Model Forest concept, but once the women embraced it, then it became a very positive and broadly-supported initiative. Both entities pride themselves in bringing diverse groups, such as different tribes and ethnic groups, 'to the table' in order to find common ground and work together for solutions to issues and challenges facing their communities and forests. To listen to the full interview please visit: Radio Canada