Silver Ring Program
Significance
CIF-IFC Silver Rings are given out to welcome new forestry professionals. The ring is a symbol associated with the completion of a CIF-IFC recognized forestry program. It is a clear sign that unites graduates in forestry at the national level, a bond that goes beyond differences in responsibilities, employment, province of residence and language.
The Silver Ring is usually worn on the little finger of the left or right hand (depending on whether the person is right-handed or left-handed). The engraving of the maple leaf that seems to grow towards the tip of the finger symbolizes the growth of professional responsibilities.
History
The very first silver ring ceremony took place in 1953 at the University of British Columbia (UBC), organized by forestry and forestry engineering graduates. This practice became a tradition at UBC and was adopted by 3 other forestry schools in 1961 (University of New Brunswick, Université Laval, and University of Toronto). The CIF-IFC was asked to assume responsibility for the program and it became a centennial project in 1967. Since then, all graduates with a recognized bachelor’s degree have received a silver ring. In 2002, the Institute was proud to welcome graduating students from technical forestry schools.

Silver Ring Speech
The Silver Ring Speech serves as a guide to the significance, value and relevance of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada Silver Ring.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Silver Ring Ceremony speech, please email media@cif-ifc.org.

CIF-IFC Code of Ethics
The Silver Ring has become a symbol of the Canadian Institute of Forestry and what it stands for as embodied in our Code of Ethics.
Click here to see the CIF-IFC Code of Ethics

Member Silver Ring
The Member Silver Ring recognizes the interdisciplinary nature of forestry and the need to be truly inclusive of all forest practitioners. It also symbolizes our members’ commitment to sound forest stewardship and sustainability through CIF-IFC activities. The ring is also engraved with a small maple leaf. See below for criteria for eligibility.
#CIFSilverRing
One of the Institute’s objectives is to welcome individuals to the profession of forestry. Since 1967 we have presented Silver Rings to graduating students from CIF-IFC recognized Canadian forestry program.