International Women’s Day 2023: Dara Larfeuil-Peressini

Dara Larfeuil-Peressini, F.Eng., M. ATDR

Forestry Specialist – Montreal Region, Tree Canada

Working in urban forestry for five years

1. What are your proudest accomplishments?

Urban forestry has been an unknown area of forestry for a long time. Last year, during the congress of the OIFQ (Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec), which was about global health and the role of forest engineers, I was invited to give a conference speech about urban forestry issues in Quebec. Not only urban environments were part of the event, there were also many more young women among the speakers compared to the previous years. There is a true wind of change in the field and I am proud to bring my humble contribution to it!

2. How has the urban forestry field changed since you first entered the profession?

Even if it has only been a few years since I started working in this field, I have already noted promising changes in the profession. One of the specificities of urban forestry is the necessity for a wide range of professionals to collaborate. The good news is there are more and more interdisciplinary teams who work together on the same projects! This enables the implementation of projects that are more and more integrated and integrative, of more diverse plantings (in terms of tree species, strata, functions, etc.), and to me, this is key for successful and sustainable greening projects.

3. Do you have advice for girls and women that want to get into the urban forestry field?

Identifying with a gender or another should never be an obstacle when it comes to choosing a career. If you have a passion for urban forestry, my advice would be to go for it. You can find your place thanks to your skills and your willingness to be part of the change!

← Back to the International Women’s Day 2023 post