About the Canadian Institute of Forestry Silver Rings
Each year, the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC) Silver Rings are presented to new graduates to welcome them as forestry professionals. The Silver Ring is a symbol of achievement, presented to those who have completed a CIF-IFC recognized program. The ring signifies a national bond among forestry professionals and a commitment to sustainable forest stewardship.
The first Silver Ring ceremony was hosted in 1953 at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. It has since become a growing tradition at forestry schools across Canada. The ring is typically worn on the little finger of the recipient’s dominant hand. The maple leaf engraved on the ring is to be pointed towards the tip of the finger, representing a growing professional responsibility.
The Silver Ring unites graduates from forestry programs across Canada in a shared promise to uphold the values and responsibilities of the forestry profession.
CIF Gold Medal
The Canadian Institute of Forestry presents the Gold Medal Award annually to recognize graduating students in forestry and forest engineering programs for their outstanding academic achievements and citizenship. Since 1953, the award has been presented to one student from each of Canada’s forestry baccalaureate schools and diploma schools.
Winner: Kiana Rowlands
Kiana Rowlands was one of the top students in the Wood Products Processing program. She consistently demonstrated leadership and commitment to her academic and professional growth. Kiana graduated with an impressive cumulative average GPA. She supported her peers through key roles as VP Internal and Woods Products Processing Representative in the Forestry Undergraduate Society. Kiana also gained valuable industry knowledge through her experience in the Co-op program. Kiana also worked as an Orientation leader for UBC Imagine Day, strengthening the UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship community. Kiana’s dedication to wood processing and her commitment to helping others, earned her the Gold Medal.
Best in Program Winners
Outstanding Forest Sciences Student Award: Isaac Lowenthal Walsh
This award was given to Isaac Lowenthal Walsh as for his exceptional performance in the Forest Sciences program. Isaac was on the Dean’s List every semester and had the highest overall GPA in the program. Isaac also received an Outstanding International Student Award and International Major Entrance Scholarship. In addition to his academic achievements, he also led the UBC Nordic Ski Team and worked for the BC Wildfire Service as an Initial Attack Crew Member.
Charles Larre Memorial Graduating Prize – Wood Products Processing: Colin Hillmer
Colin Hillmer was awarded the Charles Larre Memorial Graduating Prize for his exceptional academic performance and his passion for wood products processing. Colin received multiple scholarships and awards during his degree as well as maintaining a high annual GPA. Colin was also a part of the Co-op program and completed a Minor in Commerce. Alongside his degree, he pursued multiple certifications such as, Introductory Studies in Mass Timber, Industrial Skills in Automation, Programmable Logic Controller, and Drying Lumber for Quality and Profit. Colin also contributed to strengthening the programs relationship with the industry through the 2023 Logging & Sawmilling Journal article titled “Building a New Kiln Helps Build Stronger Customer Relationships”.
W. Gerry Burch Award – Forest Operations: Koen Buckingham
Koen Buckingham was recognized for his academic excellence, leadership and spirit by earning the W. Gerry Burch Award for Forest Operations. Koen worked with the BC Wildfire Service for 3 years on the Princeton Sierras Unit crew. Formerly the valedictorian at Summerland Secondary School (2020), Koen impressed those around him with his positive attitude and engagement. He also excelled as a UBC varsity rugby athlete playing for the team for 4 years, earning both the Spence McTavish Rugby Award and the Thunderbird Rugby Award.
Gordon Baskerville Award – Forest Resources Management: Kylie Meredith
Kylie Meredith was consistently a straight A+ student and excelled greatly in her extracurricular and professional development activities. Kylie has been selected for committees such as Students as Partners Fund project to implement the Canvas Outcomes tool as well as working as a WorkLearn student to prepare documentation for to accredit the Forest Management and Forest Operations majors with the Society of American Foresters. Kylie was an extremely dedicated as she volunteered for the UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Tri-Mentoring Program, Hinton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Pacific Spirit Ecoteam and was a UBC Sustainability Ambassador. During her academic journey, she earned 11 competitive awards.
Clark S. Binkley Award, Natural Resources Conservation – Science and Management Major: Stefanie Miklosovic
Stefanie Miklosovic was born and raised in Sǫ̀mbak’è (Yellowknife) where she contributed significantly to her community working as a volunteer firefighter and search and rescue member. She graduated with the highest GPA average in her program and has won multiple awards and fellowships, including the John Worrall ‘Tree Enthusiast’ Prize. At UBC, she volunteered with the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the Biodiversity Research Centre. Stefanie also has work experience on the Bilateral Water Management Agreement at the Mackenzie River Basin. She is praised by her professors for her academic strengths, leadership and engagement.
Clark S. Binkley Award, Natural Resources Conservation – Global Perspectives Major: Jiachen Lin
After completing 3 years at Zhejiang University in China, Jiachen Lin joined UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship in 2022. She earned the Charles S. Binkley Award due to her deep commitment to conservation, her high academic performance and her contributions to her community. She worked as a JumpStart Orientation Leader and Student Culture Ambassador. In China, she also volunteered at a children’s Nature School, designing programs to support Qilian Mountain Deer populations and recognize the importance of Indigenous plants. In her capstone class, she demonstrated leadership and implemented the application of advanced statistics to examine the effects of protected areas on livelihoods in Ethiopia.
Outstanding Student in the Forest Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology Program: Saumya Gupta
Saumya Gupta has made significant contributions to UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship through her leadership, research and academic achievements. Saumya was the Vice-President of the Forestry Undergraduate Society, a UBC Sustainability Ambassador, participated in the Jumpstart program every year and was a notetaker in 4 classes. Saumya also had interdisciplinary impacts on the greater UBC community. She worked as a Carbon Accounting Assistant and Life Cycle Analyst, contributing to both UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and the Sauder School of Business. She earned her placed in the prestigious Decarbonization International Case Competition this year, Saumya was also part of multiple laboratories, working under Dr. Kim and Dr. van der Ven and has industry experience from working as a Junior Sustainability Analyst at Ernst & Young. Saumya was on the Dean’s honor roll every year, earned the Outstanding International Student Award and won 8 academic awards and grants within UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.
Outstanding Urban Forestry Student Award: Laura Mantin
Laura Martin received the Outstanding Urban Forestry Student Award by exhibiting leadership, professional knowledge and critical thinking. She worked as an arborist throughout all years of her degree, while balancing classes and extracurriculars. Laura was deeply involved in the UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship community consistently winning Trivia Night and Tree ID competitions. She contributed to insightful class discussions, elevating the understanding of urban forestry to her classmates and brought a unique perspective to every class she took.
Congratulations to the 2025 Silver Ring recipients!
Visit here to view more images from this year’s ceremony.
