Forestry institute forging gender equity plan.

A new initiative by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) will look at ways to recruit, retain and advance women in the forestry sector.

The institute announced on Nov. 30 it's creating a national action plan to promote gender equity in the industry.

According to 2017 data from Statistics Canada, women make up 17 per cent of the natural resources workforce.

Dana Collins, the institute's executive director, called the coming action plan a "needed cultural shift."

"When we enable diversity and inclusion and foster the growth and professional development of unrepresented voices and perspectives, our sector can only strengthen," Collins said in a news release.

A new steering committee, tasked with guiding the action plan, comprises 15 representatives from across the sector, including Dr. Peggy Smith, professor emerita in the...