Feature Articles

February 11 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Women and Girls in Science. According to UN Women, only 35% of all students enrolled in science and technology-related programs worldwide are women. International Day of Women and Girls in Science aims to encourage women and girls to pursue science-related careers and calls for everyone to work together to help remove barriers to their success.

In celebration of this awareness day, we are introducing one of our own talented team members working in a science-focused career, Tina Biro. Tina is the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Certification Specialist at Al-Pac. Discover what led her to this type of work and learn what an FSC Certification Specialist does in our Q&A below.

What made you want to pursue a science-related career?

I actually started my post-secondary education with a commerce degree. Later, I realized that I wanted something with more variety. Being in nature has always been my happy place, and I enjoyed learning about natural sciences. So, I switched programs and pursued my post-secondary education in Renewable Resource Management (forestry, soils, waters, wildlife, ecosystem-based management, etc.).

What is the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)?

The Forest Stewardship Council is a global not-for-profit organization that sets the social and environmental standards for responsible forest management. Al-Pac manages the largest Contiguous FSC-certified forest in the world at over 5.9 million hectares (FSC-C022642).

What does an FSC® Certification Specialist do?

As Al-Pac’s FSC Certification Specialist, I work with experts from across our company to maintain alignment with the FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard. We also collect evidence required to demonstrate the alignment.

I’m responsible for maintaining Al-Pac’s FSC Chain of Custody/Controlled Wood certification. Additionally, I stay up to date on all things FSC so I can provide guidance on related matters, look for opportunities to add value to Al-Pac and other operators in our Forest Management Agreement area and serve as the liaison with our certification body.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Primarily, I am a firm believer in the importance of responsible forest management, and I trust in FSC as the most credible certification to demonstrate that responsibility. I am proud of Al-Pac’s efforts to maintain FSC forest management certification. It is considered the most challenging forest management standard to achieve in the world. I enjoy working with the professional and highly knowledgeable subject matter experts at Al-Pac. I also enjoy engaging with many other professionals inside and outside the FSC system and working collectively towards a common goal – doing the right thing in the forest. When I do get to be in the forest, I am in my happy place.