The Sunshine Coast Community Forest has been recognized for its impact on the community with the 2025 Robin Hood Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Forestry.
The community forest is one of the smallest in the province, and it has invested almost $25 million into the community since 2007. The investments went into local infrastructure, recreation, economic development and community initiatives across the Sunshine Coast.
“It means a lot to us to be recognized among the many exceptional community forests in B.C.,” said Sara Zieleman, executive director for the Sunshine Coast Community Forest. “We’re grateful, first and foremost, to our community with whom we share this success – the many people who generously contribute their time, and the organizations that collaborate with us.”
One of the community forest’s standout programs delivers affordable and sustainably sourced firewood, while employing people who face barriers in the workforce. The program provides firewood at no cost to families facing financial hardship.
The Robin Hood Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Forestry was established in 2016 to honour a British Columbian with a passion for local community forestry.
