In the Spotlight: Morgan Piczak

In the Spotlight: Morgan Piczak

February 23, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Meet: Dr. Morgan Piczak

Previously a Liber Ero Fellow, Dr. Piczak now joins the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences. Morgan is a conservation scientist with an interest in aquatic ecosystems and movement ecology.

Morgan’s academically impressive record includes an undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Guelph and an MSc from McMaster University, where she studied the movement ecology of common snapping turtles in Lake Ontario. Morgan has also worked at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, researching how harmful algal blooms affect fish communities in Lake Erie.

Morgan then pursued a PhD at Carleton University, where she utilised acoustic telemetry to investigate the impact of invasive species on freshwater fish and expand our understanding of restoration ecology, with a significant focus on the Toronto Harbour.

Dr. Piczak looks forward to building her research on how we can mitigate human impacts on aquatic ecosystems through a movement lens. Morgan is building her research program around the impacts of wildfire on freshwater systems, an issue that is becoming more urgent as wildfires increase in frequency and severity.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aquatic sciences?

I grew up along the shores of the Laurentian Great Lakes and spent a lot of time on Lakes Ontario and Huron. I was always fascinated by the idea that there was so much happening beneath the surface that we couldn’t see. Acoustic telemetry, the primary method I use, allows us to better understand those hidden processes and uncover how aquatic animals move through their environments.

Can you tell us a bit about your research areas and some important projects you’ve worked on?

My research focuses on movement ecology, freshwater conservation, and applied management. I’ve worked on projects ranging from snapping turtle movement in Lake Ontario, to invasive species and restoration in Toronto Harbour, to Atlantic mackerel movement and fisheries management in Atlantic Canada. Across all of these systems, my goal is the same: to understand how animals move through their environments and use that information to improve conservation, restoration, and management decisions.

You’ve described yourself as a ‘part-time fish surgeon’. What does that involve, and why is it important?

A big part of my research uses acoustic telemetry, which means implanting small transmitters into fish. To do this, we anesthetize the fish, similar to how humans would be anesthetized for surgery, then we make a small incision, insert the tag, and close it with a couple of small sutures. We then monitor the fish to ensure they recover properly before release. This allows us to track movement rates, habitat use, and spatial patterns over long periods of time. That information is incredibly valuable for conservation because it helps identify critical habitats, priority areas for protection, and places where restoration efforts are most likely to be effective.

What brought you to the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?

Moving to Vancouver and working at UBC has been a long-standing dream of mine! The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is an ideal home for my research because of its strong history in freshwater science, conservation, and wildfire ecology. Being part of a faculty that actively works on wildfire coexistence and ecosystem resilience aligns closely with where I want my research program to go.

What do you hope to achieve at UBC FES?

I hope to build a research program that helps conserve British Columbia’s freshwater biodiversity, particularly in the context of increasing wildfire disturbance. I want my work to be applied, collaborative, and useful for decision-makers, while training students to think critically about conservation challenges in a rapidly changing world. I also want to continue supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion priorities within aquatic sciences by creating an inclusive lab environment and expanding opportunities for students from historically underrepresented groups.

How do you hope your work inspires young women to pursue a career in aquatic sciences?

Whether I’m in the field, at conferences, or in meetings, I am often reminded that fisheries remains a male-dominated field. While that can still feel intimidating at times, I can only imagine how people from historically marginalized communities might feel. Increasing representation truly matters. I hope that simply being a woman in this space helps make a career in aquatic science feel more achievable and accessible. I’m committed to building an inclusive and diverse lab, creating opportunities for students from different backgrounds, and helping increase representation in the field more broadly.

Posted in: FCS Featured, In the Spotlight, News
Tagged with: ,

Weaving what? Why relationality and the 4Rs are important in reconciliation work

February 19, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Dana-Lyn Mackenzie Teaching & Learning Seminar on Feb 26, 2026

When: February 26, 2026 | 12:45 – 1:45 pm
Where: Forest Sciences Centre Room 1222

This event is open to all and will be held in person only.

Seminar Abstract

Reconciliation is a catchy phrase, but what does it mean? In this talk, Dana-Lyn Mackenzie will talk about the principles of the 4Rs (respect, responsibility, relevance and reciprocity) of Indigenous education in the context of Weaving Relations, a self-directed Canvas based course on Indigenous peoples, settler colonialism and the Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Speaker

Dana-Lyn (Wilson) Mackenzie is a Coast Salish lecturer in the Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship degree and the senior manager, EDI & Indigeneity in FES and LFS. When Dana-Lyn is not talking about decolonization or being on the land, she can be found cuddling her golden retriever, Lady, on the couch while watching Modern Family reruns and reels of cats doing poorly thought-out things.

Posted in: Events, Past Events
Tagged with: , ,

UBC Researchers Say Scientists Have Underestimated Forests’ Ability to Prevent Major Floods

February 19, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Flooding in Abbotsford in 2021. Credit: BC Government.


Researchers from UBC’s Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship argue that a widely used method to understand and predict flood risk has led scientists to miscalculate how forests can prevent major flooding.

The paper, published in Ambio, synthesizes decades of research to explain why the standard approach used to evaluate how forests impact flooding – comparing individual flood peaks before and after disturbance – fails to capture how floods actually develop.

The authors say earlier studies oversimplified flood behaviour and consequently underestimated the role of forests in mitigating flood risk.

“When we look at flood risk in probabilistic terms – how trees and forests change the likelihoodof a flood – the picture changes,” said Samadhee Kaluarachchi, lead author and PhD student. “Forests are part of the solution, even for big floods.” 

Rethinking forests and floods 

For decades, many studies have concluded that forests mostly influence small floods in small basins, with limited impact on larger events. Those findings have influenced policy discussions, making governments hesitant to rely on forests for flood mitigation strategies.  

But authors Kaluarachchi and Dr. Younes Alila, a professor at UBC’s faculty of forestry and environmental stewardship, argue these findings stem from flawed “before-and-after” comparisons that ignore the probabilistic nature of flooding. 

“When studies focus only on peak flows from individual events, it overlooks how forests influence the broader distribution of food risk over time,” said Dr. Alila. “Our synthesis shows forests can alter the frequency and probability of floods, including major events. This doesn’t mean forests alone will stop catastrophic floods – but they can reduce flood risk at the source, making floods not only smaller but also rarer in cities and communities downstream.” 

Forests as a natural flood defence 

Previous research by Kaluarachchi and Dr. Alila has empirically shown that B.C.’s natural landscape – including lakes, wetlands and forests – offers built-in flood protection by storing and gradually releasing runoff, ultimately reducing peak flows and flood frequencies downstream. The new paper explains why this effect is scientifically sound and why these findings, and others like them, should be trusted over the conventional approach that dominates forest hydrology. It challenges the long-standing scientific assumption that forests do not influence large flooding events. 

The authors emphasize that while infrastructure like dams and dikes remain essential, ignoring the role of forests and land cover in upstream areas risks poor land-use decisions downstream.

“It’s about broadening the toolbox,” says Kaluarachchi. “Engineering infrastructure is part of the solution, but it cannot address the root causes of flooding. When land management and forest removal in the headwaters increase flood risks downstream, forests and healthy ecosystems must be a core part of flood management.”  

Implications for flood management 

The researchers call for a shift in how flood impacts are evaluated – moving away from single flood event comparisons and toward assessing how forests affect the likelihood of floods over time.  

Drawing on their own studies as well as research across the field, the authors aim to clarify the scientific basis for considering forests as a core component of long-term flood resilience. They also call for policy guidance to be updated to reflect this more rigorous, causal science.  

They suggest that adopting a broader lens could improve how governments integrate land-use management into flood mitigation strategies.  

Interview languages: English (Kaluarachchi, Alila), French (Alila)

Media contact:
Charlotte Fisher
Marketing & Media Relations Strategist
Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
University of British Columbia
charlotte.fisher@ubc.ca

Posted in: News
Tagged with: , ,

Cyril Moersch

February 17, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Cyril Moersch

Cyril Moersch

Adjunct Professor

Department of Forest Resources Management

Research Areas:

Posted in: Adjunct Professors, Faculty Profiles
Tagged with:

From Mentee to Mentor: Kendall McLaughlin on Careers, Mentoring, and Connection

February 17, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Kendall McLaughlin holds a degree in Natural Resources Conservation and is dedicated to fostering inclusive community building through ecology and community science. Kendall currently works part-time in three roles: Engagement Coordinator with the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Education Researcher with Access to Media Education Society, and Outreach Projects Manager for the Galiano Arts Alliance. 

Kendall has been a Mentor in the Tri-Mentoring Program for three years. Read below to learn more about why they became a mentor and what role mentorship plays in shaping the next generation of leaders and professionals. 
 

Navigating Non-Linear Career Paths 

Reflecting on their journey from mentee to mentor, Kendall shares the biggest lessons they have learned from their career so far:

“I originally participated in the Tri‑Mentoring Program during my final year of undergrad in 2016–2017. At the time, many of the available mentors were retired professionals who hadn’t experienced the rapidly changing job market that new graduates were entering. While their advice was well‑intentioned, it didn’t always align with the realities of the current workforce.  

Now, nearly ten years after completing my Bachelors with UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, I’m still early in my career—but I’ve gained enough experience to offer current undergrads guidance that reflects today’s professional landscape. I want to share what I’ve learned so far to help students set realistic expectations and navigate the transition from school to full‑time work.  

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that career paths are rarely linear. It can take a few roles you didn’t expect—or didn’t initially want—before discovering the career direction that truly fits you, and sometimes that direction isn’t even in the same field you studied. Being a mentor now not only allows me to support students, but also encourages me to reflect on my own evolving career goals. It’s meaningful to show mentees that even mentors continue to ask questions, explore possibilities, and learn along the way.” 
 

Mentorship in Action 

Kendall also recalled a standout experience that highlighted the value of connecting beyond traditional mentorship settings.

“I’ve been a mentor in this program for three years, but this was the first time my mentees expressed interest in visiting me on Galiano Island for an in‑person experience. We spent the day hiking to Dionisio Provincial Park, which created a unique opportunity to connect outside the usual virtual meetings.  

During the hike, I was able to challenge them on their flora and fauna identification skills in preparation for their FRST 200 lab exams. The hike also turned into a wildlife spotting day. We encountered an abundance of species, including Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani), Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus), California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus), Northern Red‑legged Frogs (Rana aurora), Rough‑skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa), and Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina). It was rewarding to watch my mentees apply their knowledge in the field and to share a place that means a lot to me. Experiences like this remind me how mentorship can extend beyond career guidance. It can spark curiosity, build confidence, and strengthen connections in meaningful ways.” 
 

Pictured here: Mentees, Hudson Holdcroft (left) and Keisha Van Buckley (right) smiling with their mentor, Kendall McLaughlin (center).

Mentorship as a Two-Way Exchange  

For Kendall, mentorship is not just about giving advice—it is about supporting and learning from the next generation.

“Mentorship is an invaluable way to support the next generation as they enter the workforce. It helps prevent them from having the same challenges or repeat the same mistakes many of us faced—especially for those who didn’t have mentors themselves.  It’s particularly important that mentors are active in today’s workforce, because they understand the current job market, evolving expectations, and rapid changes that shape modern career experiences.  

Mentorship is also a two‑way exchange. While mentors offer guidance, mentees help mentors better understand how to integrate younger professionals into the workplace. By learning about the values and priorities of emerging generations, mentors can bridge gaps between traditional workplace expectations and the needs of a modern workforce. Research consistently shows that younger generations prioritize purpose‑driven work, meaningful impact, flexibility, and healthy work–life balance. In contrast, many older generations—many of whom are now retired—often emphasized stability, long hours, and financial obligation, even in roles they didn’t necessarily enjoy. These differing perspectives can create misunderstandings in the workplace if not openly discussed.  

Mentorship provides a safe environment to explore these differences. It fosters mutual understanding, encourages adaptability, and helps workplaces evolve to support both new and existing employees. By sharing perspectives, experiences, and expectations, mentors and mentees can build stronger, more inclusive, and more responsive work cultures.” 
 

Finding Meaning in Shared Success

Looking back, Kendall described how staying connected with mentees continues to be a source of motivation and reassurance.

“I enjoy seeing updates on LinkedIn from my mentees and watching them grow in their careers. It’s exciting to see them step into new roles and pursue opportunities.  

I’ll admit, I sometimes overthink and worry that I’m not a “good enough” mentor because my own career path continues to evolve and shift. But when my mentees tell me that my advice has been helpful, or that they were able to connect with an organization I introduced them to, it reassures me.  

Their feedback helps quiet those doubts and reminds me that support doesn’t have to come from someone with a perfectly linear career path. It can come from someone who’s still learning, growing, and navigating their journey too.” 

Advice for Future Mentors 

“You don’t need to be a project manager or a CEO to offer meaningful advice. Every experience—whether positive, challenging, or unexpected—has value, and there is always something to learn from it. You often learn the most from the jobs you didn’t enjoy or the situations that pushed you outside your comfort zone. Understanding what you don’t want to do can provide just as much direction as discovering what you desire for an occupation.” 

“Career paths are rarely linear, and I think it’s important to share that reality with mentees. Exploring different roles, environments, and opportunities is part of the process, and each step contributes to building clarity, resilience, and confidence in where to go next.” 

Interested in getting involved in the Tri-Mentoring Program? Check out our website!

Posted in: Alumni, News
Tagged with: ,

The Hidden World of Microorganisms Vital for Forest Health

February 17, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

In a world shaped by climate uncertainty, soil quality is critical to the future of our forests. Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden community of microorganisms – the soil microbiome – that plays a vital role in sustaining ecosystem health. Bacteria, fungi, archaea and even viruses drive nutrient cycling, influence nutrient uptake and help regulate soil processes that support plant growth.

Understanding these microbiomes is central to the research of Dr. Zelalem Taye, an Assistant Professor jointly appointed to the Faculties of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and Land and Food Systems.

He aims to map soil biodiversity in B.C. and contribute to our understanding of soil biodiversity patterns in Canada and across the globe. This Black History Month, we speak to Dr. Taye about his work and why it’s vital to help tackle today’s environmental challenges

For people who aren’t scientists – what is a microbiome?

A microbiome is the community of tiny living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in a specific place, along with their genomes and the interactions that shape how that environment functions.

Most people are familiar with the human microbiome in the gut, on the skin, and in the mouth, where microbes support digestion, immunity, and overall health. Forests have microbiomes too. They live in soil, around roots, inside plants, on leaves, and in decaying wood, where they help recycle nutrients, store carbon, support plant growth and health, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.

How do microbes interact with trees and why is that critical for forest health and growth?

Trees do not grow alone. They live in close partnership with microbial communities in the soil and within plant tissues. Around the roots, trees release carbon compounds that feed microbes, and in return microbes help trees access nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, improve water uptake, and defend against disease.

These relationships are especially important for seedling establishment and forest regeneration. Beneficial fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, can extend the reach of roots and help young trees survive in nutrient limited or drought stressed conditions.

Forest management practices can strongly influence these microbial partnerships. Disturbance, harvesting, fertilization, and soil compaction can shift microbial composition, sometimes reducing beneficial groups and increasing the risk of emerging pathogens. At the same time, microbial communities shape climate outcomes by controlling how carbon is stored in soils or released as greenhouse gases, and they are also being reshaped by climate change through warming, drought, and wildfire.

Why are soil microbial communities so important?

Soil microbial communities are the foundation of forest ecosystems. They drive decomposition, nutrient cycling, and long term soil carbon storage, and they strongly influence whether trees can establish, grow, and resist disease.

This matters directly for reforestation and restoration. Many reforestation efforts struggle not only because of climate stress, but also because seedlings are planted into soils where the native microbial community has been disrupted. Understanding the native soil microbiome can help explain why some sites recover quickly while others fail, and it can guide strategies to improve seedling survival and long term forest resilience.

How is climate change shifting soil microbial communities in forests?

Climate change is reshaping soil microbial communities in multiple ways. Warmer temperatures can speed up microbial activity and decomposition, while drought can reduce microbial growth and shift communities toward organisms that tolerate dry, stressed conditions. Wildfire, flooding, and extreme weather can also disrupt microbial networks and change the balance between beneficial microbes and potential pathogens.

But the relationship goes both ways. Microbes do not just respond to climate change, they also influence it. Soil microbes control whether carbon is stored in soils for decades or released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. As microbial communities shift under climate stress, they can change how forests function as carbon sinks, and how quickly soils lose or retain fertility.

What does your research hope to achieve?

My research aims to understand how regenerative land and soil management practices reshape the microbiome and what that means for long term forest and ecosystem health. While many interventions are designed to improve soil quality, we still have limited evidence on how they influence microbial communities, and whether those microbial changes translate into measurable gains in carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and resilience.

I combine lab and field-based studies, microbiome genomics, and data driven analysis to identify which microbial groups and functions are linked to healthier soils and more stable carbon. The goal is to move beyond broad ideas like “more diversity is better” and instead pinpoint the specific microbial processes that matter most for ecosystem services.

Ultimately, I hope this work will generate practical, science-based guidance for land stewards and forest managers, helping them choose strategies that support climate smart restoration and sustainable management across British Columbia and beyond.

Learn more about Dr. Taye’s research here.

Posted in: FCS Featured, News
Tagged with: , ,

Branchlines: High-calibre Master’s Scholar Daisy Mboya from Kenya

February 13, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

This Black History Month we’re highlighting a 10-year, UBC-wide program launched in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation that welcomes academically talented young people from Sub-Saharan Africa to study at UBC. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for scholars to further their education with a goal to contribute to the economic growth and social transformation of their home communities. We spoke with Daisy Mboya, one of the scholars enrolled at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship during the 2024/25 academic year about their studies and goals.

Daisy Mboya

Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management

“Around one third of Africans lack reliable power. Energy poverty is a barrier to education, economic growth and social empowerment.

Technological applications in landscape mapping are a passion of Daisy’s. While enrolled in a Geospatial Engineering degree at the University of Nairobi, Daisy led a project to identify suitable sites for wind farms in Kenya’s Laikipia County, located on the equator. “This experience deepened my interest in sustainable energy solutions,” she says.

Daisy worked as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) officer with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation in Kenya, surveying and mapping potential areas to connect communities to the national electricity grid. However, she craved career advancement.

“I want to be a geospatial analyst to solve problems related to climate change and renewable energy,” Daisy shares. “Geographic imaging tools are essential for data collection. For example, they can visualize impacts on the surrounding environment of bush clearing to build a solar energy farm.”

daisy mboya
“I want to be a geospatial analyst to solve problems related to climate change and renewable energy” – Daisy Mboya. Credit: UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.

Daisy’s studies at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship introduced her to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) remote sensing technology. Already proficient in GIS, Daisy is getting a firm grasp on LiDAR. For her Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management project, she mapped equity access to green spaces across the UBC Vancouver campus, building on a parallel Vancouver-wide analysis.

Daisy aims to apply LiDAR technology to assess canopy coverage and the spatial distribution of green areas to identify disparities in access to nature on campus and to promote greater equity in access.

“I am eager to explore the intersection of geospatial technologies and sustainability, particularly in the areas of spatial data analysis, sustainable land management and forest carbon sequestration,” Daisy states. “My long-term goal is to work with an organization like the United Nations on renewable energy projects to learn as much as possible and gain the experience I need to offer the maximum, timely positive impact to people.”

This article was published in Branchlines in Summer 2025. Daisy Mboya has since graduated.

Posted in: Alumni, Branchlines, Branchlines Articles, MGEM Featured, News
Tagged with: , ,

Urban Forestry Leadership Annual Public Lecture & Networking Night

February 12, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Poster for MUFL Guest Lecture and Networking Night happening on March 11, 2026

When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | Networking with light refreshments 6 PM | Lecture 7 PM
Where: UBC Forest Sciences Centre Atrium (networking) | Room 1005 (Lecture)

Guest Speaker: Cecil Konijnendijk

Register Here

For those joining the lecture online, please click here to join via Zoom at 7 PM

Open to the public

You are invited to the Urban Forestry Leadership Annual Public Lecture & Networking Night, hosted by UBC’s Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) program. This special evening features internationally recognized urban forestry expert Cecil Konijnendijk, who will present a timely lecture on building greener, healthier communities through his globally adopted 3+30+300 principle. Connect with students, professionals, and community members while gaining valuable insights into the future of urban forests.

Lecture Description

Moving from Tree Loss to Tree Love with the 3+30+300 Principle

Many cities and communities are facing substantial loss of trees and green spaces, for example because of urban infill and sprawl. As trees and green are essential for our health, wellbeing, and the vitality of our settlements, we urgently need to turn tree and nature loss into gain. In February 2021, during the Covid19 pandemic, Cecil launched a new evidence-based guideline for greener and healthier communities: the 3+30+300 principle. This guideline calls for all of us to have at least 3 mature trees in sight from where we live, work, study, or are cared for. It also sets a threshold of 30% tree canopy cover at the neighbourhood level. Finally the principle calls for having a high-quality, publicly accessible park or other green space within 300 metres from all homes. During its first five years, 3+30+300 has become widely implemented across the world, including in Canada. The talk will discuss the impact of the principle, as well as how to use it with vision, nuance, and care. Drawing from his new upcoming book, Cecil will also show why it is important to foster more tree love in our communities.

Speaker

Cecil Konijnendijk

Cecil Konijnendijk is a former professor in the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship and former Director of the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) program. For more than 25 years, he has studied, taught, and advised on the role of trees and green spaces in urban environments. His expertise spans green space governance, community engagement, people–nature relationships, cultural ecosystem services, and urban forestry. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with decision-makers and practitioners around the world to advance research with strong practical impact.

At UBC, Cecil’s research and teaching focused on governance and policy in urban forestry. He co-developed and taught key courses including UFOR100 Greening the City, UFOR402 Urban Forest Administration, Policy and Law, and the program’s capstone course.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact sara.barron@ubc.ca

Posted in: Past Events
Tagged with: , , ,

Crafting History: UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s Contribution to the 2010 Olympic Games

February 11, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

As the world watches the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, we at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship remember our significant role in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

In October 2009, the Ministry of Forests and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Organizing Committee (VANOC) approached our Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) with a unique challenge. They needed us to fabricate and process the wooden pieces required to build 23 Olympic podiums and 100 medal trays.

The journey to creating the iconic Olympic podiums and medal trays was a testament to the dedication, innovation, and collaboration of our faculty.

The Design

An early prototype of the Olympic Podium in the Forest Sciences Centre. The podiums’ design, shaped like Vancouver Island, furthered their representation of British Columbia.

Our cutting-edge machinery and expertise made us the ideal choice for this complex project.

The late Leo Obstbaum designed the podiums to tell the unique story of British Columbia’s mountains and coasts. Each podium was built from one of 18 different wood types, harvested and donated by communities, First Nations, companies and individuals from across B.C. Fourteen were built from wood donated by community forests, two from family-run woodlots, two from cities, six from businesses, and five from First Nations.

Communities as small as the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, with a population of 325 at the time, came together to contribute timber for this enormous project. At that time, B.C.’s forests were severely impacted by the mountain pine beetle infestation. Certain podiums featured the unique blue stain caused by the beetles, illustrating the story of B.C.’s forests.

The podiums ranged from 480cm to 1525 cm in length, 170 to 500 cm in depth and 30 to 60 cm in height. The lightest podium, built of Western Red Cedar, weighed approximately 200 kilograms. Each podium was assembled from more than 200 wooden pieces.

Jason Chiu, current Managing Director of the CAWP, cheering on Team Canada in 2010.

The CAWP Team

Vincent Leung, the current Program Director of the Wood Products major in the BSc. Natural Resources program, was a crucial part of the effort to make the podiums in 2009 and 2010.

Leung recalls that some of the future podium pieces were still standing while they were processing others.

“I am immensely proud to have been a part of this incredible project, as the 2010 Winter Olympics were undoubtedly a highlight for Vancouver,” Leung said. “This project allowed us to showcase the cutting-edge machinery and innovative design in the woodworking industry.”

The project was a major undertaking for the CAWP team of less than ten people, but their determination and hours of work made the massive effort possible.

Jason Chiu, current managing director of the CAWP recalls that team members worked through Christmas day, and some stayed working past midnight during production.

The Lucky Loonie

The CAWP team incorporated Canada’s “Lucky Loonie” into the podium for the Ice Hockey Gold Medal celebrations.

Most Canadians remember exactly where they were when Sidney Crosby scored the famous ‘Golden Goal.’ Leung was here at CAWP, fabricating pieces needed for the Paralympic podiums. The TV where he watched the Golden Goal still sits here as a piece of history, 14 years later.

The entire nation celebrated as Canada’s ice hockey teams brought home the gold medals. However, few people knew about the lucky charm that might have made the difference.

In 2002, Canada’s Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey teams brought home the gold from the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. At these games, a legendary Canadian tradition began with a lucky loonie placed under the ice. The CAWP team decided to continue this tradition, placing a loonie in the podium created for the gold medal game.

A Testament of Innovation

Our contribution to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics remains a proud chapter in our history.

The podiums serve as a remarkable testament to the dedication and innovation at CAWP and UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. The team’s unwavering commitment was evident as they worked through holidays and long hours to ensure the project’s success.

The inclusion of Canada’s “Lucky Loonie” added a unique and symbolic element to their work. This behind-the-scenes dedication exemplifies the hard work and passion essential to the success of the Olympic Games. It leaves a lasting legacy and sets a high standard for future events.

Centre for Advanced Wood Processing

The Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) is Canada’s national centre for education, training and technical assistance for the wood products manufacturing industry. CAWP offers a wide range of training courses, professional e-learning programs, in-plant training, product development, and manufacturing improvement services. CAWP conducts and coordinates applied research and development while supporting the award-winning B.Sc. in Natural Resources, Wood Products major and its cooperative education program.

Posted in: News
Tagged with: , ,

Branchlines: High-calibre Master’s Scholar Mercy Peter from Nigeria

February 11, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

This Black History Month, we spotlight a 10-year, UBC-wide program launched in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation that welcomes academically talented young people from Sub-Saharan Africa to study at UBC. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for scholars to further their education with a goal to contribute to the economic growth and social transformation of their home communities. We spoke with Mercy Peter, one of the scholars enrolled at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship during the 2024/25 academic year about their studies and goals.

Mercy Peter

Master of International Forestry

“If you want to build a nation, educate and empower a girl.”

Deforestation has had a significant impact on the land surrounding Mercy’s home in Nigeria. “Illegal logging is massive because of weak laws and little to no enforcement,” Mercy shares. “On top of this, a lot of people are not aware of the impact of their activities on the environment and climate change. I was inspired to study international forestry at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship to contribute to global solutions for the sustainable management of forests.”

Mercy’s academic work focused on policies promoting sustainable forest management and their connection to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. With direction from UBC Prof. Terry Sunderland, Mercy deepened her expertise in sustainable forestry, forest policy and forestry implementation strategies. Her work aims to develop practical solutions to global forestry challenges and contribute meaningfully to policies that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria, Africa and globally.

“Attending UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has given me an opportunity to expand my knowledge, skills and network, while empowering me to give back to my community.” – Mercy Peter. Credit: UBC FES

“I couldn’t have afforded to attend UBC without the Mastercard Foundation scholarship,” Mercy shares. “Attending UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has given me an opportunity to expand my knowledge, skills and network, while empowering me to give back to my community. It also affirms my commitment to being a leader in sustainable forestry.”

Outside of academics, Mercy volunteered as a project manager with the Girls of Promise Initiative, promoting education and empowerment for girls and young women. She aspires to work with international organizations, such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and World Trade Organization, leading projects focused on sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation and community development.

This article was published in Branchlines in Summer 2025. Mercy Peter has since graduated.

Posted in: Alumni, Branchlines, Branchlines Articles, MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: , , ,