The Centre for Wildfire Coexistence will address the dual priorities of community and ecosystem resilience
Over the past seven years, British Columbia and Canada have set unprecedented records for area burned by wildfires, with Canada’s most devastating wildfire season taking place in 2023. Communities and habitats have been turned upside down by out-of-control blazes that have resulted in the tragic loss of life, mass evacuations and tens of millions of hectares of scorched earth.
In response, UBC Forestry has launched a research centre devoted to the discovery of novel approaches to address the escalating risk of severe wildfire. Led by Prof. Lori Daniels — the inaugural Koerner Chair in Wildfire Coexistence at UBC — the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence will advance proactive forest management and eco-cultural restoration research, collaboration and innovation.
“The success of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence hinges on collaboration and engagement with partners at all levels,” says Lori. “By actively involving the public, communities, Indigenous leaders, all levels of government and non-governmental organizations in our research and initiatives, we can co-create effective strategies for wildfire coexistence and build more resilient landscapes.”
In the context of wildfires, ‘coexistence’ refers to the proactive mitigation of catastrophic risks through the transformation of forest and fire management. Landscape resilience and human safety are balanced with protecting the role of good fire in sustaining ecosystem health.
“Historically, low-severity fires sustained diverse forests across BC’s interior, ignited by lightning and Indigenous fire stewardship,” notes Lori. “These fires thinned forests, curbing intense blazes and nurturing renewed plant growth, along with rejuvenating wildlife habitats.”
Lori and her team’s field work and collaborations with community members will lead to science-based discoveries that support communities in safely coexisting with wildfire.
Transformative support for a more resilient future
The launch of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence is a significant step forward in advancing proactive wildfire management practices and fostering coexistence between people and the environment. Made possible thanks to a visionary $5 million donation from the Koerner family, the Centre will undertake cutting-edge research to assess the efficacy of proactive wildfire management strategies and co-develop solutions for communities at risk.
“The Koerner family is proud to catalyze the establishment of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence at UBC Forestry,” says Michelle Koerner, Trustee of the Koerner Foundation. “We recognize the urgent need for proactive management and restoration of our forests to mitigate wildfire impacts, safeguard communities and foster a safer, sustainable future for the benefit of all Canadians.”
The Koerner’s gift is a highly impactful contribution that takes place during FORWARD, the campaign for UBC with the promise and potential to advance healthy lives, a healthy planet and healthy societies.
“This generous donation from the Koerner family is an investment towards a healthier future for our planet,” says Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC. “The Centre will be at the forefront of understanding and managing the complex relationship between wildfires and ecosystem health, bringing together Indigenous peoples, researchers and government agencies to co-develop strategies for protecting natural landscapes and the communities that depend on them.”
The Centre’s holistic and inclusive approach is positioned to redefine the wildfire management landscape, paving the way for a more balanced approach that includes identifying proactive solutions in collaboration with communities towards a safer and more resilient future.
To find out how to support the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, please contact emma.tully@ubc.ca
Learn more: forestry.ubc.ca/centre-for-wildfire-coexistence
This article was originally published in the Spring 2024 issue of Branchlines Magazine. View the full issue here.