“Press Play” and Let the Good Times Roll

Stay Tuned for More Boris

After two years celebrating the Forest Capital of Canada (FCC) title, the Mackenzie Region isn’t ready to call it quits. Boris the spruce tree is sticking around, and his journey through the region is far from over. Next up, he’s heading from the forest to the farm, and he’s becoming a bit of a local tourist along the way.

Recently starting her seventh term as a Mackenzie County Councillor, Lisa Wardley served as Chair for the FCC Committee. She looks back on the past two years with the FCC committee fondly.

“We had such an active and enthusiastic committee,” said Wardley. “We decided we did not want all this momentum to peter out. So, now that the FCC is part of the region’s legacy, we’re putting the current Boris adventures, the classroom learning program and the restaurant placemats in the capable hands of the Mackenzie Frontier Tourist Association.

MFTA will also be showcasing Boris at trade shows and regional events.”

Remember Boris?

Boris is an animated character created by Kathleen and Dražen Rukavina, owners of Long Sleeve Productions. Boris is the white spruce tree from the Buffalo Head Hills who one day decided to pick up his roots and do a little exploring.

“We knew Boris would be the perfect fit for the Forest Capital of Canada legacy,” said Kathleen Rukavina. “Kids connect with him right away, and when you pair that with the interactive map and real-life video stops, it turns learning into an adventure. It’s the kind of experience families can enjoy together, and it’s something kids will remember long after they’ve clicked through.”

Dražen and Kathleen Rukavina, Owners of Long Sleeve Productions

Boris’ first adventure went live on fcc2024.com in September 2024 to coincide with National Forest Week, and his winter adventure was released in July 2025. Each 10-stop adventure is a mix of Boris, an animated character, and live action video of real local people.

“Between the two Boris adventures, there’s enough interactive content with videos, activities and quizzes to fill about two feature films. We worked with dozens of people across the region, and along the way gathered so much rich detail about life in the boreal forest from wonderful local knowledge-keepers,” said Rukavina.

Boris interacts with a local Indigenous Elder, foresters, a wildfire centre officer, kayakers, a helicopter pilot, snowmobilers, ice fishers, the list goes on. These adventures are even being used in Alberta classrooms to help teach elementary children science and social studies.

Boris’ Next Adventure

Though the Forest Capital of Canada recognition is in the rearview mirror, the FCC Committee wanted to leave a legacy, so the region can own the title for years to come.

“Within our boreal forest is much more than trees. Agriculture, communities, people and other industries all play a significant role,” said Wardley. “The third chapter, Boris’ AgVenture, will be released soon, highlighting our boreal agriculture.”

Filming for the Boris’ AgVenture took place last fall and will be officially released soon. Follow “Boris in the Boreal Forest” on social media.

“In Boris’ next adventure, he’ll see how the boreal forest supports local farms, farmers and foragers. He’ll bump into new and familiar faces, cross paths with more bees and even take in some rodeo fun,” said Rukavina.

How Boris Moves People

With online adventures, highway signage, stickers, colouring pages in restaurants, activity sheets in classrooms and even a life-size cardboard cutout, Boris has captured the hearts of people of all ages in the Mackenzie Region and beyond. What’s more? Boris is even responsible for at least one couple’s relocation to the region.

With all the time spent filming in the Mackenzie Region, the Rukavinas fell in love with the people and the land. In August of last year, they purchased a home and planted their own roots locally—moving all the way from a city of over half a million in Ontario to the hamlet of Zama City, Alberta’s most northern community.

“Over the years, the region started to feel less like a place we were visiting and more like a place we belonged. It didn’t take long for it to feel familiar in the best way. Maybe Boris had a plan for us all along!”

Members of the FCC Committtee

It Takes a Village

The FCC Committee would like to thank everyone for coming together to “own” and celebrate the Forest Capital of Canada title, especially the generous support of their sponsors. They could not have done it without you.

“Our community members really embraced the award, and it helped showcase our local identity,” said Wardley. “Thank you to Canadian Institute of Forestry for choosing our region and thank you to our partner sponsors—the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, our partners in industry as well as all our community organization partners.”

Join Boris' Adventures: FCC2024.com