Mike Toffan
Founder & Project Forest Manager
An outdoor enthusiast, Mike knew early on that he wanted a job that let him explore nature. As the founder of Project Forest and General Manager of Reclamation and Forestry for Tree Time Services, he’s contributed to the reforestation of tens of thousands of hectares across Western Canada. Aside from earning his B.Sc. in Forest Business Management, Mike also has a Technical Diploma in Forest Technology. His happiest moments? In the field, among the trees, where he gets to make a difference every day.
Larry Lafleur
Project Forest Senior Seedling & Nursery Advisor
With over 50 years of experience in the Alberta forestry industry, nobody knows trees better than Larry. A graduate from NAIT’s forestry program, Larry has been involved in growing over 1.5 billion seedlings throughout his career—and he isn’t stopping any time soon. Currently, he acts as an advisor for Tree Time Services, where he provides vast knowledge to the team. He also ensures Project Forest is in good hands by handling the production and delivery of all seedlings.
Scott Formaniuk
Project Forest Senior Silviculturist
As a long time Silviculturist, Scott has overseen the reforestation of more than one hundred million seedlings and been involved in the growing of over five hundred million seedlings. His love for trees began at an early age when he was mentored by several professional foresters through Scouting and the Junior Forest Wardens. This led Scott to a B.Sc. in Forestry, followed by a lengthy career in the private sector in both Alberta and British Columbia. His love for what he does is motivated by his desire to leave a positive legacy on the environment for future generations.
Mike Ardiel
Project Forest Senior Silviculturist
Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon with Norwegian Heritage, Mike’s love for the outdoors started at birth. As General Forestry Manager with a diploma in Forest Technology, Mike effectively coordinates and manages the procurement of Reclamation and Forestry Division trees and shrubs, overseeing the planting of 70+M seedlings in his career. Aside from being able to hike Mount Everest base camp, fly in helicopters and ATV across some cool trails, Mike loves his job because it allows him to do something that is valuable to others.
Jeff Renton
Project Forest Lands & Afforestation Manager
With plenty of accreditations and awards under his tree planting tool belt, including a Masters in Biological Sciences, Jeff knows a thing or two about growing trees. Over the years, he’s worked on many afforestation projects, trained numerous land managers on site restoration, presented and organized hundreds of events, and instructed at various universities. As a Forest Reclamation Coordinator, Jeff primarily works with municipalities and mines, where he loves being connected to the land.
Codi Van Maurik
Project Forest Field & Logistics Coordinator
Forests have always been an interest to Codi, which is why it was only natural he ended up helping oversee the planting of trees in his role as Field project Manager for Project Forest. Since earning his forest technician diploma, Codi has completed numerous oil and gas site reclamations, while also providing his project management skills to ensure each job gets completed as planned. His favourite part of the job? Getting to be outside, doing something different every day.
Nathan Mattice
Project Forest Operations Supervisor
Working in the field is one of the reasons Nathan loves what he does. After getting his diploma in Forest Technology from NAIT, Nathan took his knowledge and went straight to work. Throughout his career, he’s accomplished many things, including running four successful tree planting operations of over one million trees and completing a 419Ha ground herbicide program with only a four-person crew. As Project Forest’s Forestry Operations Supervisor, Nathan works on and manages many projects, which allows him to take on many exciting challenges.
Kurtis Blaikie-Birkigt
Project Forest Heritage Advisor
It was a desire to work outside and not behind a desk that motivated Kurtis to hit the fields. His interest in the past led to a Masters in Archaeology, followed by a history of helping the forestry sector minimize their impacts on archaeological and cultural landscapes. Through his career, Kurtis has explored at least 350,000 hectares of Alberta’s forest, and over 1,000 days hiking and quadding to locate and protect historic sites. Saving these sites and stories for future generations is what matters to him most.
Drew Patterson
Project Forest Education Manager
Drew’s passion for forests stems from his family’s garden greenhouse when he was young. From there, he earned his MBA, before branching off into a career as General Manager for TreeTime.ca. In this role, Drew’s provided hundreds of educational presentations and sold and shipped millions of trees to people throughout Canada. Being able to introduce unique varieties of trees and projects to others keeps his job interesting, while also knowing he’s making the world a better place.
Shannon Simpson
Community Engagement Engineer
Shannon’s love for trees and vegetation started from her farming roots, and has grown over the last 26 years of her career, where she has overseen the planting of approximately 200,000 trees. Shannon’s formal education as a Civil Engineer has created a better understanding of various soils and their compositions adding a broader information platform to the Project Forest Team. Her energy in wanting to know which species fits best in the soil, has brought valuable knowledge to every project she’s worked on. Her passion to make her community a better place shows in everything she does for Project Forest —from working on grant applications, to rolling up her sleeves and digging deep in the trenches, to her active roles in community and Indigenous engagement. To coin it best Shannon says that Project Forest is a legacy of love for future generations.