ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION OAK SOCIETY
A FAMILY LEGACY REFORESTING THE FUTURE Nearly a century ago, F.J. Sensenbrenner helped shape Kapuskasing, Ontario, with a forwardlooking belief that healthy forests and healthy communities are inseparable. His leadership helped establish responsible forestry practices that still influence northern Ontario today. That legacy lives on. After record-breaking wildfires swept through the Ogoki Forest in 2023, the Sensenbrenner family stepped forward to help restore what was lost. Joe and Mary Ellyn Sensenbrenner saw a chance to honor their great-grandfather’s vision while addressing one of today’s most urgent climate challenges: wildfires. Through their gift, the Arbor Day Foundation launched its first forest community renewal project in Kapuskasing, planting more than 10,000 native spruce trees in 2024 and helping catalyze a broader restoration across Ogoki. Their initial support funded more than 100,000 trees, growing to over 185,000 through matching contributions. More than reforestation, this work is restoring wildlife habitat, supporting local jobs, and renewing hope in boreal communities. “We’re trying to live up to the same standard — thinking beyond our own lifetimes and investing in what comes next,” says Joe Sensenbrenner. The Sensenbrenner Tree Initiative proves that legacy, when paired with action, can help heal landscapes and inspire others to do the same. The family will be generously matching donations to support the Ogoki forest up to $100,000. Read the full story and join this project at arborday.org/ogoki-legacy.
MARCH/APRIL 2026