Women in Forestry: Charlotte Mellstrom, RPF

Charlotte Mellstrom, RPF

Western Forest Products

Meet Charlotte Mellstrom, Tree Farm License (TFL) Forester for the Englewood Forest Operation at Western Forest Products (WFP). Charlotte manages the planning department of the TFL, which handles everything from permitting and layout, to silviculture and environmental management. She also engages with First Nations, runs a public advisory group, and communicates with other interested parties about the forests WFP manages.

Charlotte has been with WFP since she completed a Bachelor of Science with a major in Forest Resources Management at UBC in 2011. Over the years, she’s worked in planning in Port McNeill, on WFP’s Mainland Coast operation – where she spent some time in camp – and as a stewardship forester.

Charlotte is very proud of the forest landscape plan pilot project that Western and the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation are jointly working on. This exciting work will identify new ways to protect resources for generations to come and provide economic benefits.

Charlotte says she would recommend a career in forestry to anyone who loves problem-solving, working outdoors and working with great people. For women considering a career in forestry, Charlotte says: “it’s an incredible career, and everyone I’ve ever worked with has been nothing but supportive and helpful”.