By: WFC Meetup Planning Group
More than 120 women, minoritized gender identities, and allies gathered for the Women in Natural Resources Meetup, sponsored by the Women’s Forest Congress (WFC), in what became a standing-room-only event filled with energy, insight, and celebration. The event at the SAF 2024 National Convention highlighted the crucial role of women in forestry and natural resources, focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in the industry. The room was abuzz with conversations about career empowerment, grassroots movements, and how to foster mentorship in the field.
The meetup opened with inspiring words from Terry Baker, CEO of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and Jaana Korhonen, a member of the WFC Steering Committee, who shared significant updates on WFC’s progress over the past year. Rae Tamblyn, Associate Director of #forestproud, opened the event with an icebreaker that focused on centering conversation and connection across the audience members. Jamie Dahl (Colorado State University) and Leah Rathbun (US Forest Service) facilitated the event and led the audience through a group exercise focused on self-reflection, sharing stories, and mentorship. Speakers emphasized the importance of supporting women in natural resources, local action, and the need for an inclusive approach to solving sector workforce challenges.
A Year of Progress
Jaana Korhonen, WFC Steering Committee representative, provided updates on several initiatives and successes since the previous year’s meetup. From empowering webinar sessions to expanding networks that connect women in natural resources careers, the WFC has been instrumental in elevating women’s voices across the industry. Korhonen emphasized the goals of mentorship, community-building, and collaboration with allies. Terry Baker reflected on the importance of such gatherings in building connections that drive individual careers and collective progress. “We know that fostering a culture of inclusion is not only necessary for the future of forestry, but it also strengthens the quality of our work,” Baker said. His words underscored the SAF’s commitment to advancing DEIJ principles, adding to a larger discussion about the need to attract and retain diverse talent to natural resources.
Celebrating Local Action
The meetup showcased local action in different areas around the country. These stories highlighted examples of women and those outside the binary who are advancing DEIJ in both educational and professional spaces. Elle DeWaard from Colorado State University’s Minoritized Genders in Natural Resources club shared how they are tackling the challenges of inclusion and creating a space for diverse gender identities to gather, learn, and network. The Women in the Woods group from Louisiana Tech University shared their efforts to provide mentorship and experiential learning, including an annual workshop and K-12 education programs. Audrey Miles-Cherney, from the Colorado State Forest Service, outlined the agency’s progress on forming a group to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace. As part of the organization’s DEI efforts, Women+ of CSFS is focused on advancing gender equity, building strong relationships, promoting educational opportunities, and amplifying voices.
“These clubs and grassroots efforts are where some of the most important work is happening,” said Korhonen. “The change that’s happening at the grassroots level—whether in a university club or a local professional network—is a crucial part of building the future of natural resources management that we all want to see.”
Empowerment and Mentorship
A highlight of the afternoon was a discussion on shared challenges, professional empowerment, and mentorship, where attendees shared stories from their own experiences within the natural resource field. Many women expressed how mentorship has been key to their professional growth, providing them with the guidance and confidence needed to thrive in a male-dominated industry. Others spoke of the importance of building networks where women and allies could support each other and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
One attendee noted, “It’s not just about finding a mentor for yourself, but also about being that mentor for others—creating a cycle of empowerment that strengthens our entire field.” Attendees left the event with renewed inspiration, stronger connections, and a commitment to advancing the mission of the WFC and its partners.
Moving Forward Together
As the natural resources sector continues to evolve women and allies are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping its future. Events like the Women in Natural Resources Meetup provide space for building community, sharing knowledge, and advancing careers. With the ongoing efforts of the WFC, SAF, #forestproud, and countless grassroots movements, the future looks bright for women in natural resources. By fostering inclusive spaces and promoting mentorship, the next generation of women leaders will have the tools, networks, and support they need to continue making an impact in the field.
We want to acknowledge the whole planning team who met several times to plan and coordinate this event: Danielle Ardrey, Jamie Dahl, Elle DeWaard, Amy Doty, Jaana Korhonen, Eliza Meyer, Audrey Miles-Cherney, Leah Rathbun, Kristen Switzer, Ingrid Schneider, and Rae Tamblyn. Please watch for the next Women’s Meetup at the 2025 SAF National Convention!