In September 2025, the Faculty of Natural Resources Management held an Award Night to recognize and celebrate the hard work and excellence of its faculty staff and students. Dr. Brigitte Leblon, Dean of the Faculty, announced 17 scholarships, 6 Best Achievement Awards, and 5 Faculty and Staff recognitions. Following the awards, students presented their field school experiences, which took place at the beginning of the new academic year.

At the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, student progress and development are a top priority. Through a combination of experiential learning, a job-ready curriculum, and small class sizes, the programs are designed to equip graduates with the essential skills needed to become future professionals in the field. Scholarships and awards are among the many support resources offered by the Faculty, alongside international exchange opportunities, co-op placements, research initiatives, and social activities.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the University's founding and the 75th of the Faculty's. With a rich and profound history in post-secondary education, specializing in forestry and environmental management, the Faculty continues to strive toward enhancing program quality. Its goal is to produce employment-ready graduates and to welcome new students into both undergraduate and postgraduate natural resources management programs.

Scholarships

• Canadian Institute of Forestry Award – Brandon Papa-Mayer
• Dean Brigitte Leblon & Dr. Armand LaRocque Dual-Degree Graduate Award – Taylor Lukasik
• Dean Brigitte Leblon and Dr. Armand LaRocque Undergraduate Award – Lauren Pineau
• Ducks Unlimited Canada Thunder Bay Volunteer Chapter Award – Stephanie Davidson
• Forest Ecosystem Science Co-operative Inc. Dean's Forestry Award – Hannah Khan
• Forestry Class of '73 Award of Merit – Veronica Pacholczak
• Frederic C. Robinson Graduate Award in Boreal Silviculture – Piumi Godakanda, Samira Hedayatpour
• Frederic C. Robinson Undergraduate Award in Boreal Silviculture – Sarah Plourde
• George I. Dawosyr Memorial Award – Tori Toriseva
• Jane Parker Writing Across Curriculum Memorial Award – Brooke Godden
• Kenneth Hearnden Award in Forestry – Damien Gilberds, Wyatt MacEwen
• Leo Vidlak Memorial Award – Qingshan Yin
• Lynne Sevean Scholarship in Natural Resources Management – Norma DuVall
• Naysmith Scholar Award – Stephanie Davidson
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Benjamin Bohemier, Marin Loncar, Samantha Mitchell
• Resolute Forest Products Scholarship in Forestry – Damien Gilberds
• Rob Booth Memorial Scholarship – Wyatt MacEwen

Best Achievement Award In 2024-2025

Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry

• Year 1: Hayden Wardell 
• Year 2: Jacob MacInnis
• Year 3: Veronica Pacholczak 

Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management

• Year 1 Logan B Salter 
• Year 2: Samuel F Stewart
• Year 3 Norma Duvall 

 Faculty and Staff recognition

The Faculty of Natural Resources Management Student Leadership Award annually recognizes a student who has demonstrated remarkable leadership. This year, the award was presented to Veronica Pacholczak.

The Distinguished Natural Resources Management Service Award honors exceptional performance, leadership, and service by a faculty member, technologist, contract academic lecturer, or staff for outstanding contributions to NRM. This year, the award was given to Eva Scollie.

The Natural Resources Management Researcher of the Year Award celebrates efforts and contributions to academic research and scholarship within NRM. This year’s recipient is Dr. Brian McLaren.

The Natural Resources Management Teacher of the Year Award acknowledges excellence in course delivery at NRM. This year, the award was presented to Dr. Dzhamal Amishev.

Thunder Bay, ON - October 22, 2025 - The Faculty of Natural Resources Management at Lakehead University welcomed Grade 8 students and teachers from Sioux Lookout and Dryden for an immersive tour of its Fish and Wildlife Lab.

Emerenciano Rivera, Technologist with the faculty, led the one-hour visit, offering students a hands-on introduction to the vital roles insects, birds, and mammals play in forest ecosystems and the resource industry. 

Emerenciano Rivera welcoming students and teachers

As part of Lakehead’s commitment to experiential learning, students were encouraged to use LCD digital microscopes to examine insect specimens up close while learning about their ecological significance.

Students trying LCD digital microscopes

Excitement grew as students had the opportunity to handle preserved specimens and ask questions about collection and conservation techniques. 

Students are getting excited with specimen and LCD digital microscopes

A student tests binoculars while classmates examine a bird specimen during their visit to Lakehead’s Natural Resources Management Faculty.

Rivera also shared insights into the diverse wildlife of Northwestern Ontario and the work of forestry and environmental professionals within the faculty.

The visit offered students a unique glimpse into the world of natural resources management and the educational opportunities available at Lakehead University.

Caden Lear, for the presentation of his thesis, titled "A review of ground beetle biodiversity on the Thunder Bay Lakehead University campus" and supervised by Dr. S. Lee.

Sam De La Mothe, for the presentation of his thesis, titled "A review of ground beetle biodiversity on the Thunder Bay Lakehead University campus" and supervised by Dr. B. McLaren.

To see the names of all students participants of the 23rd Annual Thesis Symposium, the names of their supervisors and thesis titles, please visit the Undergraduate Theses page.