Eryn Buzza
I am originally from North Burlington, Ontario where I grew up with a strong connection to nature and forests along the Niagara Escarpment. My appreciation for environmental landscapes led me to study Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph. I am a Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist, ISA Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, as well as an associate member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. I spent 3.5 years working in Planning with the City of Vancouver, and recently moved on to a position in Urban Forestry with the City of Victoria. Through the MUFL program I aim to develop my skills in leadership and UF management, with the goal of contributing to the sustainable growth of the urban forest for the benefit of generations to come. I have an identical twin and in my spare time I enjoy yoga/meditation, canoeing, hiking and backpacking.
Frederic Delannoy
I grew up in Ottawa, Ontario and completed my undergraduate degree at Carleton University in Architecture with a focus on urbanism. Since a young age, I have always loved the outdoors and travelling which got me thinking about different urban designs and how successful their impact was on local ecosystem and residents. While I did enjoy my degree, I felt that my love for the outdoors and nature was not being engaged enough. I wanted to explore this interest more by pursuing the MUFL program to further develop my skills and knowledge on those topics, as well as be exposed from the perspective of other professions. Later, I wish to work with municipalities to create better urban spaces that incorporate forestry to promote healthier cities and residents.
Gerard Fournier
Originally from Calgary, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Political Science back in 1985. I moved to the small town of Didsbury, Alberta 25 years ago and started a tree nursery and arborist business, which is still growing strong today. About ten years ago, I started teaching in the Red Seal Trade of the Landscape Horticulturist at Olds College, just a short distance from my home. Along the way, I picked up my Board Certified Master Arborist Certification from the ISA, as well as holding my Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. In my 43 years of experience working in landscape horticulture, I have planted and overseen the planting of well over a million trees, climbed, pruned or removed countless thousands of trees in urban and rural areas, and taught hundreds of apprentices. What motivates me to pursue the MUFL is very simple. At this point in my career and my life, I wish to continue my education! Along with this drive to learn is my passion for putting new learning and theory into practice. My goal has always been to make the world a better place. I truly believe that there will be no healing for us, the human species, until such time as we can reconcile our relationship with nature. We need to become the stewards of the land, rather than the breakers of the land. Land does not “belong” to us. On the contrary, it is we who belong to the land. The sooner we re-embrace this not completely forgotten but long dormant concept, the quicker we can begin the recovery, not just of our species, but of every life form on this precious, tiny blue jewel of a planet we live on.
Adam George
I come from Fort Erie located in southern Ontario which is part of the Carolinian Forest, not the Boreal. Before this program I studied English literature at Simon Fraser university and before that forestry and environmental sciences at Algonquin college in Ottawa. I’ve worked hard hands-on jobs in the past including: Arborist apprentice, carpenter, scaffolding, research, restaurant, tile setting, and more. My favourite hobbies are skateboarding, travelling, exploring, and learning new things. I decided to take this master’s program to advance my career in forestry and create a fulfilling job.
Erika Green
Hi there! My name is Erika Green. I had the privilege of growing up on a farm just outside of Rocky Mountain House, a small town in Alberta nestled between where the prairies meet mountains. Although I just recently moved to Edmonton, Alberta, I have spent the last ten years working for the City of Red Deer in a variety of roles. My most recent role was as the foreman of reclamation and reforestation. I also taught courses for arborists about chainsaw use and safety all the way through hazardous tree removals. During my time with the City of Red Deer, I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science -Horticulture at Olds College after previously completing the Red Seal Endorsed Landscape Horticulture Journeyman Certificate. I am an ISA certified arborist, carry various pesticide licenses and certificates in leadership. My educational and professional interests have wonderfully aligned with my deep passion for land stewardship, taking me in the direction of urban forestry and parks planning and management. The MUFL program is the next step in this journey and I am looking forward to the growth to come!
Cassandra Groen
My name is Cassandra Groen, I am currently the Manager of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Minnedosa in Manitoba. I have my Bachelor of Recreation Management and Community Development from University of Manitoba, along with an Organizational Leadership Certificate from Harvard University. My long-term career goal is to work for Parks Canada. A fun fact about me is that in 2016 I was listed into Canada’s Most Influential Women for Sports and Physical Activity, and that I’ve competed in Finland for Ringette. I love reading, hiking, playing hockey & ringette, and I am very passionate about travelling. My love for travelling started with a volunteer trip to Costa Rica. I fell even more involve with nature while on this trip, learning about their ecosystems, and cleaning the beaches. This is one of the things that fuel my desire to get a master’s in Forestry.
Robin Hastings
Originally from Leicester in the UK, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Sheffield in 2006. Shortly afterward I started my career in arboriculture, working for a local tree care company before moving to Vancouver in 2011. I have since worked in both the private and public sectors and decided to apply for the MUFL program, with the aim of expanding my knowledge base and career horizons in Urban Forestry. I like to stay busy and active; from small carpentry projects to hiking and ski touring I’m most relaxed when I’m staying occupied.
Simon Hovington
I am from the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec. I studied Urban Planning and have a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Montreal. Prior to attending UBC, I worked as a landscape architect at one of the largest urban planning and landscape architecture firms in Montreal, where I still work part-time as a student. I have a profound interest in cities, as I find it fascinating to witness what we can create together as a society. Given the impact of climate change, it is crucial to rethink how we plan our cities to ensure their sustainability for both current and future generations. This is why I decided to further my education in urban forestry. One of my goals is to work for a city or organization that promotes stronger guidelines for creating greener cities.
Helena Knezickova
Hi, my name is Helena. I grew up in Czechia, where I experienced wildcrafting, foraging and gardening as family traditions. Today, my home is so-called Vancouver, BC, the traditional unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh), and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) nations. I graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and focused on ethics, environment and society. I also studied Sustainable Business at BCIT, Herbalism at Wild Seed School, and Climate Action and Community Engagement at UBC. I am expanding my farming and landscaping experiences with a permaculture design certificate. Passionate about urban green spaces, ethical foraging, sustainable food systems and animal rights, I am joining the MUFL because it brings me a step closer to contributing to creating resilient cities with natural spaces for human and non-human coexistence and opportunities for citizens to connect to each other, our roots and the environment. You can meet me at farmers’ markets, hiking, camping, growing plants or reading with a cup of tea. I aspire to work with local communities and the government to develop policies for a sustainable future.
Collin Lesko
Hello all, My name is Collin and I am based out of Oakland, California. I am currently employed as an arborist foreman and consulting arborist with a company based in San Francisco. I have been working with trees for about 5 years and volunteered a lot with non-profit tree planting companies while studying for my BS in Urban Forest Landscapes from Oregon State University. I love hiking, backpacking, tree climbing, and meditating outdoors. I decided to pursue my masters once I got sober and realized I had more time and capacity at home to keep learning. I am still unsure of the direction I will go for my career but I would like to be involved more in managing my urban forest here in Oakland/Berkeley. I also really look forward to making educational and professional connections in our small but expanding field of Urban Forestry.
Allison Luke
With over 20 years of experience working outdoors, Allison’s career has spanned both the private and public spheres, most recently in the position of Principal Instructor of the Horticulture Training Program at UBC Botanical Garden. As an educator and storyteller passionate about botanical literacy, she regularly leads workshops and tree tours for the public, businesses, and garden clubs. Certified as a Red Seal Horticulturalist and ISA Certified Arborist, the MUFL program not only builds on her practical experience, but opens up new opportunities in the field of urban forestry. Allison lives in Vancouver, is mom of 2, and loves a good sauna.
Sylvain Martel
My passion for trees originates from growing up on a family woodlot near Quebec City. Life on this woodlot laid the foundation for my eventual career in urban forestry. Here, I learned not only how to propagate and care for trees, but also some basic knowledge associated with sustainable forest management. Professionally, I have been a silviculture worker, a logger, a climbing arborist, a consultant and a municipal arborist. I supplemented my over twenty-five years’ work experience with both formal (BCIT) and continuing (ISA/The Davey Institute) education. I studied natural resource management, urban forestry, arboriculture, and utility vegetation management. I am currently the Senior Arborist for the City of New Westminster, overseeing urban forestry operations and implementing urban forest related strategies. My goal is to remain a public servant during and after this course of study. I enrolled in the MULF program to strengthen my practice as a municipal arborist, and to develop my proficiency mentoring new urban foresters. My capstone project will be related to the development and implementation of urban forest management strategies.
Brian Moffatt
Hi, my name is Bryan. I grew up in the lower mainland where I spent much of my early years exploring the local mountains and developing a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the natural environment. I have worked professionally in arboriculture and urban forestry for 16 years, holding a variety of roles and responsibilities including being a climbing and municipal arborist. Throughout this time, I have enhanced my education through a range of continuing education and apprenticeship programs. I am an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Arborist Technician, and a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists. I currently work for the City of Port Moody as the Urban Forestry Supervisor, overseeing the City’s Urban Forestry Department and implementing the City’s Urban Forest Management Strategy. As a proponent of livable urban environments and nature-based solutions, I have enrolled in the MUFL program to gain further knowledge and better equip my community for climate adaptation. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor adventures with my wife and five children, and volunteering for a local search and rescue team.
Glenn Mullett
My name is Glenn, and if you’re wondering what I see out the window I’m probably just looking at a tree! I am from the United States and currently live on Vancouver Island. The subject of urban forestry was first introduced to me while studying at Lynchburg College in Virginia where I received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. I was fortunate enough to see what an effective urban forestry program looks like firsthand when I started my career as an arborist at the City of Aurora in Colorado. I was part of a team that maintained over 10,000 city trees at all stages of their development. We planted and watered nursery stock, pruned trees of all ages for structural and functional purposes, and removed trees that were hazardous or at the end of their life cycle. When I moved to Canada, I learned that the city in which I lived did not have nearly as many resources allocated to their urban forest. As a strong proponent of green and resilient cities, I enrolled in the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership Program at UBC to make connections and gain knowledge needed to enact effective city tree programs in growing communities.
Nicholas Ott
I was born in Oakville, Ontario. I was lucky to grow up next to a forest and spent countless hours climbing trees and walking the trials. As I grew older, the forest behind my house got smaller and I expanded my range to Bronte Creek Provincial Park and eventually Conservation Halton areas that protect – among other things – ancient eastern white cedars. Growing up in Oakville I quickly learned the value of nearby green space and protected areas. After college, I began working at a bank where I remained for 13 years, most notably as a financial advisor before transitioning to financial crimes. I enjoyed great experiences and successes but ultimately was not passionate about my profession and decided to follow my love for the natural world. I have since completed an undergraduate certificate in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Most recently I completed an asset management project as an urban forestry consultant and have begun an internship program with a local municipality’s Tree Protection Branch. I’m eager to blend my professional experience with the MUFL program to become a well-rounded urban forester.
Jeff Perry
I was born and raised in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. I moved to Los Angeles in 2002 at the age of 23 (where I have resided since). I was a carpenter and furniture maker before founding Angel City Lumber. I’ve decided to enroll in MUFL to develop my capstone idea of bringing native coppice woodland to Los Angeles County. It is my long-term vision for Los Angeles County to source all lumber demand from our local urban, national, and woodland forests.
Francesca Yep
Hi my name is Francesca, and I am from Ladner, BC! Growing up I was fortunate to be surrounded by agricultural land which was closely intertwined with forested areas and aquatic ecosystems. It was this environment and time spent outdoors that fostered my innate love for nature. I love camping, spending time with my dogs, playing ice hockey, and doing various crafts! I recently graduated from UBC Forestry with a Bachelors of Science in Natural Resource Conservation, majoring in Science and Management. I am excited to be continuing my education in UBC Forestry as I pursue my Master’s in Urban Forestry Leadership. I was drawn to this program as I know it will provide me with the necessary foundation to make meaningful changes in urban development for the benefit of nature, the environment, wildlife, and humans. I strongly believe that individuals like myself have the power to directly influence the future of development in order to consider many facets. Given my previous education and background in conservation, I aspire to intersect urban forestry and conservation and focus specifically on the scope of urban forestry that interacts with not only humans, but wildlife.
Andrew Zamin
Being immersed in nature has been an integral part of my life since my youth. To this day, I dedicate my time to hunting, fishing, and camping with my family in the beautiful forests of Ontario. This profound passion for the outdoors has led me through various roles and educational pursuits in the field of arboriculture. Now, I find myself in a leadership position in Urban Forestry with the Region of Waterloo. My primary objective is to ensure that future generations are not deprived of the knowledge, experience, and invaluable lessons that come from spending time in nature and make these opportunities accessible to all, through our urban forests. I aim to safeguard our urban canopy while fostering a deep connection between people and nature through a symbiotic relationship.
