Anwulika Mordi, from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, holds a First-Class Honours degree in Global Challenges from the African Leadership University, where she focused on sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. Her undergraduate capstone on hydroponics in Rwanda deepened her interest in resilient food systems and sustainable land practices. She has documented discussions on climate-health and AI for development at international conferences and spoken about the different ways climate change affects women and communities. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar currently pursuing a Master of International Forestry at UBC, she is building expertise in forestry, community engagement, and sustainable land management to empower Nigerian women and advance impactful, nature-based solutions for her country and beyond.
What motivated you to pursue your professional master’s degree at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
Growing up in the Niger Delta region, a place rich in biodiversity but heavily impacted by environmental degradation, I witnessed firsthand the challenges caused by harmful traditional practices such as bush burning, which led to deforestation, habitat loss, and the depletion of natural resources that my community depended on. These experiences inspired me to explore how forestry and natural resource management could be integrated into rural development strategies to understand how agriculture could balance productivity with environmental sustainability. UBC Master of International Forestry stood out as a program built on applied learning, community-based research, and coursework that prepares students to explore, negotiate, and implement solutions to the complex challenges facing the world’s forests and the people who depend on them. Its focus on the intersection of conservation and development offers the perfect environment to gain expertise and practical experience necessary to design sustainable, evidence-based solutions that support both environmental integrity and socio-economic well-being.
How has the program helped you grow professionally or personally so far?
The UBC Master of International Forestry program has profoundly expanded my understanding of sustainability, emphasizing the interdependence between forests, water, people, and broader landscapes. Courses like FRST 522: Community Forestry, particularly ‘Land as Pedagogy,’ provided both theoretical and practical frameworks to understand natural systems alongside social and cultural dynamics, including brief exposure to restoration projects such as Ashnola. Observing community forestry practices on the Sunshine Coast reinforced how local stewardship and participatory management improve both environmental and social outcomes. Visiting the UBC Farm highlighted the university’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and demonstrated how carbon accounting and organic certification integrate sustainability into research, education, and practice. In FRST 562: Topics in International Forestry, guest speakers such as Ian de la Roche, Head of the International Model Forest Network (IMFN) Secretariat, discussed resiliency, the circular bioeconomy, and precision technologies for sustainable forest use. His story from post-earthquake Kashmir, where communities refused to cut walnut trees they valued directly, underscored that empowered people are the best stewards of natural resources. These experiences collectively strengthened my technical knowledge, cultural awareness, and collaborative skills in forestry.
What skills or experiences have been most valuable to you in the program?
I have gained the ability to integrate social, cultural, and environmental perspectives when addressing challenges. Restoration projects enhanced my hands-on forestry expertise, including tree and shrub planting, site assessment, monitoring survival, and evaluating habitat health. Collaborating with community members and Elders strengthened my capacity to engage diverse stakeholders, adapt to dynamic conditions, think critically, and design land-use systems that balance biodiversity, agriculture, and community needs. These skills will be invaluable for advancing sustainable forestry and community-led conservation initiatives in the future.
Can you share a highlight from your coursework, fieldwork, or a project you’ve enjoyed most?
I have had many meaningful experiences as a student in the Master of International Forestry program at UBC, but the Smelqmix Restoration Project at Ashnola has stood out the most. Conducted in Syilx (Okanagan) territory, a site of cultural and environmental significance in the Okanagan-Similkameen region of southern British Columbia, the project emphasized integrating traditional ecological knowledge into tree and shrub planting, showcasing the power of resilience, local knowledge, and biodiversity. Working alongside community members, tree and shrub planting became an act of cultural renewal. I planted species such as Oregon grape, Ponderosa pine, Snowberry, Cusick’s Serviceberry, and alder, each chosen for ecological function and traditional use in food, medicine, or shelter, and not for commercial purposes. I developed technical skills in plant selection, site assessment, and spacing, ensuring plants thrived while supporting ecosystem function. Observing a nearby cattle ranch within the watershed illustrated how forestry and agriculture can coexist harmoniously, promoting integrated landscape management. Connecting this to FRST 519: Forest and Society, I reflected on how the project demonstrates lessons from economic botany, showing how plant use and movement shape both ecosystems and societies. It highlighted the enduring cultural and nutritional value of Indigenous forest resources, contrasting them with today’s simplified, high-calorie food systems. For me, the Ashnola project was a living classroom, one that showed how restoring biodiversity also restores relationships, community identity, and connection to the land.
How do you hope to apply what you’ve learned after graduation?
As a transformative leader, I aim to amplify marginalized voices, especially women and Indigenous communities, using storytelling, writing, and community engagement. Integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches fosters innovation, mutual respect, and sustainability. I plan to advance agroforestry and women-led conservation initiatives across my community, scaling hydroponic and forest-based livelihood models that enhance food security, biodiversity, and habitat protection. Collaborating with development agencies, research institutions, and policy networks, I hope to embed gender equity and environmental stewardship, supporting SDGs including Zero Hunger (2), Gender Equality (5), and Life on Land (15), while modelling leadership rooted in knowledge, cultural respect, and compassion.
What advice would you give to someone considering this program?
Be ready to face challenges head-on. The program is rigorous, insightful, and hands-on, combining coursework, fieldwork, and community engagement that push you to think critically and act decisively. Be prepared to do hard things, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace both the scientific and cultural aspects of forestry. It’s also fun and gratifying, offering opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives, Indigenous knowledge, and real-world projects. Approach it with curiosity, resilience, and passion, knowing it will equip you to become a transformative leader in sustainable land and forest management: “Build a world worth building for.”
