Field Notes: MSFM at Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

Write up and photos by Ken Byrne, Lecturer and MSFM Program Coordinator

The UBC Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) class ventured out to Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) during the last week of October to complete the fieldwork required for the capstone Site Plan project. We were warmly welcomed by Ed and Yvonne Pierre and their son Sammy to Katzie First Nation’s traditional, ancestral and unceded territory at the longhouse in Pitt Meadows. Primed with a sense of place and history along with prayers from Yvonne for our well-being we ventured into the Knapp Old Growth Reserve for some reflections and observations about our roles as forest stewards.

*Hélène Marcoux (Manager, MKRF) speaking with the MSFM class at the Knapp Old Growth Reserve.*

The rain was falling and the streams were full which made for a foot-soaking good time doing a stream assessment exercise at Millionaire Creek which is a fish bearing stream in the southern end of the MKRF. This was followed up with a post-dinner lecture from Dr. Scott Hinch on fish ecology and habitat requirements that need to be considered when implementing site plans.

*MSFM students preparing for a stream assessment at Millionaire Creek.*

The MSFM class began fieldwork in the Site Plan block early Tuesday morning to identify ecosystem and stand types and assess an array of values across the 16-hectare block. The work continued through Wednesday and Thursday, and the student crews collected data from 15 plots across the block.

*MSFM students in their natural habitat digging soil pits and identifying indicator plants.*

This year’s MSFM Site Plan block presents many challenges related to stand health, quality, and terrain stability. Therefore, subject matter experts were brought in throughout the week to share their knowledge (in between soil pit digging) and provide the class context and additional professional perspectives to consider while doing their fieldwork.

Gordie Boldt (Canadian Overseas Log Brokers) helped the class identify the log values that will ultimately pay for the restoration, education and recreation developments that are strong values on this site.

*Gordie Boldt (Canadian Overseas Log Brokers) led the class through a call grading exercise.*

Richard Norman (PGeo with Onsite Engineering) provided the class with a thorough overview of the terrain stability challenges above and adjacent to the Allouette River and a within-block stream that feeds it.

*Richard Norman (Onsite Engineering) describes the challenges of gentle over steep terrain assessments next to the Allouette River.*

The block also has many forest health concerns that need to be addressed in the Site Plan including Douglas-fir bark beetle, root disease, Swiss needle cast and white pine blister rust to name a few.

*Sean Pledger (MKRF Forester) shows students the decay patterns of Phellinus sulphurascens in Douglas-fir roots.*

*Anna Tobiasz (MKRF Field Education Forester) showing students Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) galleries accompanied by wood borers in competition.*

*Handing off a beautiful Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) specimen. They were set free after analysis.*

*Hélène Marcoux (MKRF Manager) describing damage symptoms and management implications of white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola).*

*David Montwé (UBC Silviculture Assistant Professor) describing Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stressors including Swiss needle cast (Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii).*

The week wrapped up on Friday, November 1, with each group presenting a field defense of their preliminary Site Plans and each individual student completing a field exam on topics covered and observations made throughout the week.

Congratulations to the MSFM class for completing this important milestone!

Learn more about the Master of Sustainable Forest Management program at UBC Forestry.