This interdisciplinary course examines the vital roles of forests in the Earth’s systems. Focusing primarily on Canadian forest ecosystems, we will explore the dynamic role of forests in biogeochemical cycling and how we measure and monitor both natural and human-driven disturbance. Using UTM's forests as a living lab, students will collect field measurements to investigate the meteorological, biological, and social factors that shape forest change and management strategies. By the end of the course, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem services that forests provide and the environmental and societal pressures that threaten their resilience, through a cumulative research project.