Kate Lindsay, a forest industry leader, environmental champion, and conservation steward has been named to Canadian Forest Magazine’s Top 10 Under 40.
The annual Top 10 Under 40 highlights the significant contributions of some of Canada’s rising stars in forest management. Lindsay was selected for her commitment to excellence and the leadership role she is playing in supporting healthy forests and vibrant forest communities.
Kate Lindsay is Vice President, Sustainability and Environmental Parnerships with Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC). She is responsible for working with FPAC members, government officials, environmental partners, academics, and local communities on policies related to climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable forest management.
“I know I speak on behalf of our entire team and membership at FPAC when I say that Kate Lindsay’s smarts, her work ethic, and her commitment to the health of our forests and our forestry communities puts her among the very best in Canadian forestry today,” said FPAC CEO Derek Nighbor. “People take to Kate because she listens, she wants to understand all angles of complex issues, and she demonstrates through her approach and actions what integrity is all about. At FPAC, we are very proud of her and consider ourselves fortunate to call her our colleague. Kate makes a real difference for us and our members every day,” added Nighbor.
An interest in the environment and healthy forest ecosystems came naturally to Kate, growing in up Duncan, British Columbia. It’s part of her DNA. Kate’s father, Dave Lindsay, worked in the BC forest sector as a biologist for 42-years and contributed greatly to BC’s emergence as a leader in sustainable forest management. To see his daughter now carry the torch and be recognized in this manner is extremely satisfying.
“At a very early age, Kate developed an aptitude and passion for the outdoors, the environment, and wildlife – often accompanying me in the early morning hours and in all kinds of weather conditions to conduct bird or deer counts and other forms of research,” said Dave Lindsay. “To see Kate turn that into her life’s work and be acknowledged for her efforts is a great source of pride for our entire family,” he added.
Kate was nominated by Bob Larocque at FPAC and supported by Kathy Abusow, President and CEO, Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc., who said that the acknowledgement is well-deserved. “I have always believed you don’t have to be a CEO to show leadership and you don’t have to be fifty to be a role model. While Kate is still early in her career she is already showing herself to be a competent leader and an excellent role model for young women,” said Abusow.
Kate Lindsay: Biography
As Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Partnerships at the Forest Products Association of Canada, Kate Lindsay is responsible for working on key federal legislative files such as Species at Risk, Migratory Birds, the Fisheries Act, and those related to climate change and biodiversity.
Kate currently sits on the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC) working with the federal government, private sector organizations, and environmental non-government organizations to collaborate on species recovery, wildlife management, and biological diversity conservation. As part of the SARAC, Kate brings an industry perspective alongside her background in biology to balance thoughts on economic and environmental interests.
An example of Kate’s outstanding leadership is her work as FPAC’s lead for the implementation of the Species At Risk Act in the forest industry. Kate had to think outside the box, demonstrate a strong knowledge of the science, lead national caribou industry roundtables, and work with federal and provincial government to find solutions to support caribou and consider all factors affecting their populations.
Kate also demonstrated a strong sense of partnerships by actively participating in the National Advisory Panel (NAP) Report on Protected and Conservation Areas. Kate was one of three industry representatives appointed to the Panel to provide recommendations reflecting a broad spectrum of perspectives, based on the best available science and traditional knowledge, on how governments, non-government organizations and Canadians could collectively achieve Canada’s Target of 17% of protected and conservation areas throughout the country.
Kate has a BSc in Biology and is a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio).
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FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $69-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada’s GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in more than 600 communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the country.
For more information contact:
Cheryl Miltimore
Director, Communications and Labour Policy
Forest Products Association of Canada
cmiltimore@fpac.ca 613-563-1441 x303
Follow us on Twitter: @FPAC_APFC
At an early age, and throughout her upbringing, Kate has had a deep appreciation for all forms of wildlife – including Western Toads:
