UBC’s Faculty of Forestry is proud to announce its received two prestigious awards from the Canadian Institute of Forestry/ Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC).
Each year, CIF-IFC recognizes individuals and groups who have made “unique and outstanding achievements in the field of forestry” and this year the Faculty is well-represented. UBC Research Forests has received the Canadian Forest Management Group Achievement Award and Professor Jeff Sayer has received the International Forestry Achievement Award.
UBC Research Forests – Canadian Forest Management Group Achievement Award
The Canadian Forest Management Group Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding achievements by teams or groups of managers in the field of natural resource management in Canada.
The 2025 CIF-IFC National Award Committee has recognized the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF), near Maple Ridge, and the Alex Fraser Research Forest (AFRF), near Williams Lake, for their pivotal role in advancing forest education, research, and management across British Columbia and beyond.
Established in 1987 (AFRF) and 1949 (MKRF), the forests together span over 15,000 hectares and are managed by Stephanie Ewen (AFRF) and Hélène Marcoux (MKRF), alongside an energetic team that includes Ionut Aron, Associate Director of Education Engagement, who has served as research coordinator for over 20 years.
Both forests are working forests, with annual harvests and diversified revenue streams, including sawmilling, a combined heat and power plant, hospitality accommodations, training programs, and community outreach. This operational model supports a wide range of applied research and demonstration projects in areas such as watershed management, riparian ecosystems, wildfire resilience, silviculture, and biodiversity conservation.
Through the coordination of over 1,400 research projects and the delivery of experiential learning programs to thousands of students and professionals, the Research Forests have significantly shaped forest policy, sustainable management practices, and public understanding of forestry.
Their initiatives have fostered innovation in areas such as ecosystem restoration, carbon storage, wildfire resilience, and Indigenous collaboration. Operating under distinct governance models and financial self-sufficiency, the Research Forests exemplify how long-term, multidisciplinary forest stewardship can address complex environmental and economic challenges while inspiring the next generation of forest professionals.
The award ceremony was attended by Hélène Marcoux; Director of MKRF, Ionut Aron, Associate Director of Education Engagement; and Stephanie Ewen, Director of AFRF.
“This award reflects the dedication of a diverse group of people united by their passion for innovative forestry, education and research.”
– Hélène Marcoux, Director of MKRF
Jeff Sayer – International Forestry Achievement Award
The 2025 CIF-IFC National Award Committee has recognized Professor Jeff Sayer for his work as the Director General of Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and a key contributor to global initiatives such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and International Union Conservation of Nature’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy.
His contributions have shaped international forest policy and practice. His mentorship of graduate students, leadership in academic institutions across Australia, Switzerland, and Canada, and dedication to cross-cultural, interdisciplinary collaboration embody the spirit and intent of this Award.