I am currently completing my final co-op term at West Fraser’s Cochrane Sawmill, working as the Sawmill Quality Control. In this role, I help monitor and maintain the accuracy of lumber grading and scanning systems to ensure consistent product quality. My daily responsibilities include performing inspections, cleaning scanners, and supporting production teams with data tracking and optimization, calibrations, size control, bark & fines control, checking machine efficiencies, grade efficiencies and FBM efficiencies, also inventory counts. I’ve had the opportunity to work on various projects involving USNR and Autolog systems, including my successful introduction of a new economy grade to our board edger, an initiative that significantly improved recovery the photo shown is me and the first economy grade piece of lumber to pass our board edger. I also earned my lumber grading ticket through AFPA, finishing as one of the top performers in the program.
This experience has given me valuable insight into industrial operations, teamwork, and the importance of precision in manufacturing. Co-op has allowed me to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, develop professional skills, and contribute meaningfully to a fast-paced environment and a career in the future. I highly encourage other students to consider co-op, it’s a rewarding way to explore your field, gain hands-on experience, and build lasting connections.
During my eight-month co-op at West Fraser’s Williams Lake Timber Division, I worked as a Quality Control Co-op Student, supporting daily QC tasks while leading several improvement projects. I analyzed production data to identify bottlenecks, optimized lumber flow, conducted LRF regression studies, and helped troubleshoot quality issues in both the sawmill and planer. Through this experience, I learned how to translate classroom knowledge, such as modelling, operations management, and VBA programming, into practical decision-support tools. I also developed critical skills such as production process analysis, problem discovery through data, active communication, and questioning long-standing processes to drive improvement.
This co-op not only strengthened my technical abilities but also gave me confidence to work independently, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute meaningfully to real operational challenges. Co-op has been an invaluable bridge between academics and industry, and I highly recommend it to students who want hands-on learning and a deeper understanding of how our industry operates.
Dr. Jennifer Grenz receiving Lane Anderson Award at event in Toronto. Credit: Dr. Jennifer Grenz
A huge congratulations to Dr Jennifer Grenz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management, for receiving the prestigious Lane Anderson Award for her book, Medicine Wheel for the Planet: A Journey Toward Personal and Ecological Healing.
The Lane Anderson Award is an annual award honouring the best non-fiction, science-based Canadian works, recognizing books that deepen public understanding of science and its relevance to contemporary life. Published in 2024, Dr. Grenz’s book received the award in the adult category at a ceremony in Toronto in January.
Medicine Wheel for the Planet was selected from more than 40 submissions. The book traces Jennifer’s professional and personal journey as a restoration ecologist, discovering why well-intentioned, science-driven environmental efforts often fall short. Drawing on Indigenous teachings and anecdotal experiences, the part memoir, part manifesto shows a path towards ecological healing as told through the teachings of the Native American sacred symbol: the Medicine Wheel.
“I am deeply thankful and genuinely humbled by this recognition,” Dr. Grenz said as she reflected on the award. “The Lane Anderson Award affirms the importance of valuing all ways of knowing—Indigenous, Western scientific, and local— to create a clearer picture of what the places we love need to heal and better frameworks for their care. I intend to use this prize to help fund research for my next book, continuing this work of listening, learning, and responsibility to land and future generations.”
Dr Grenz’s new book, Burned: Truth and Hope in the Fires, is a scientific and spiritual exploration of the global wildfire crisis. It builds on themes of colonial land management and climate change, and expands on her research on wildlife, land stewardship and ecological recovery. It’s due to be published in 2027.
Learn more about Dr. Grenz’s work and the Indigenous Ecology Lab here.
Join us for an evening of networking with students specializing in various aspects of the bioeconomy. Connect with the class of ’26 and beyond to explore their talents. Industry professionals are invited to share insights on their company’s contributions to advancing Canada’s bioeconomy. Refreshments and appetizers will be provided.
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 Edwin Aluku, one of the scholars enrolled at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship during the 2024/25 academic year about their studies and goals.
“Humans must be at the centre of finding solutions to the problems of environmental degradation that humans have caused.”
Edwin grew up witnessing his mother’s struggles farming and trading in a changing world. “Farming is a main source of livelihoods in our region,” explains Edwin, whose family lives in the rural community of Chuchuliga, Ghana. “A year without enough rainfall to support crops has major repercussions for families and the economic value of farms in our area.”
Edwin is interested in social issues related to forest management and climate change on the African continent, including the identification of irrigation solutions for food crops beyond rice. Rice is among the few crops presently benefitting from irrigation in the landlocked Builsa District of north-eastern Ghana, which receives on average 700-1,000 millimetres of rain each year. For comparison, BC’s south coast receives an annual average precipitation of 1,380-2,100 millimetres. Edwin’s work responds to increased pressure on crops in the region from climate change-related droughts and shifting weather patterns.
“Without irrigation, we can only farm during the wet season from early May until October,” shares Edwin. “With irrigation systems that draw from nearby rivers, we could extend the growing season and increase the predictability of crop production.”
Before enrolling at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, Edwin launched the EcoRice Ghana start-up, which recently received seed funding from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund. “The funding will support expanding EcoRice Ghana’s rice processing facilities for drying crops to minimize post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ return on investment,” Edwin says.
Edwin’s ambition is to continue to grow his start-up and become a forest manager and sustainability consultant with international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
This article was published in Branchlines in Summer 2025. Edwin Aluku has since graduated.
In this edition of Coffee Connect, we spoke with Sara Barron and Elisa Kwun, the Program Director and Program Coordinator of the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL), to learn how the program prepares future leaders to create healthier, more resilient cities through urban forests.
What does the MUFL program cover?
The Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) is a 13-month, course-based professional master’s program that explores the full scope of urban forestry. Students gain knowledge and skills in arboriculture, urban forest management, governance, urban forest assessment, and strategic thinking—preparing them to lead in the growing field of urban forestry.
Why is urban forestry so important?
More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities—and that number continues to grow. Urban environments are not always designed with health, resilience, or livability in mind. Urban forestry professionals help create greener, healthier, and more resilient cities through trees and urban green spaces. MUFL equips students with the tools to contribute to this global mission of improving quality of life in urban areas.
How is the learning delivered?
The program is delivered in person in Vancouver and runs from July to early August the following year. Learning combines classroom instruction with extensive experiential learning. Students use the UBC campus as a living laboratory and engage with municipal and community partners. A key feature of the program is hands-on, real-world exposure to urban forestry practice.
Are there any field learning experiences?
We’re extremely fortunate to be able to visit local governments around Vancouver. But, it’s really important for us to make sure that students have a broader network, to learn from experts in other places who might be doing urban forestry a little bit differently. So this year, we’re really excited to go to Montreal to learn from leaders creating innovative urban forestry solutions.
How important is networking in the program?
Networking is central to MUFL. Urban forestry is highly interdisciplinary, and students connect with professionals working across sectors and specialties. We try to ensure that students are exposed to many different professionals in the field who are doing a range of things. These relationships help students discover career paths, identify mentors, and better understand where their interests fit within the field. Peer-to-peer learning is equally valuable, as students build leadership skills and confidence together.
Who is the program designed for?
The type of students, that come into the program come from a range of backgrounds, and we really celebrate that. It’s such an interdisciplinary space that we learn so much from each other. We have students coming from undergraduate programs in landscape architecture, conservation or economics. This diversity enriches learning and reflects the interdisciplinary nature of urban forestry. Students also become part of a strong and supportive alumni network that spans multiple cohorts.
What do you hope students achieve and what are their next steps after completing the program?
Students leave the program with a strong foundation in urban forestry and a clearer sense of their professional direction. We have students interested in pursuing careers in local government, non-profit organizations, private consulting, and entrepreneurship. Through coursework, networking, and hands-on experience, students identify how they want to contribute to healthier urban environments and are well prepared to take the next step in their careers.
For more information about the MUFL program and how to apply, read more here.
When: February 21, 2026 | 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm Where: Malcolm Knapp Research Forest | 14500 Silver Valley Rd. Maple Ridge Ages: 15 + Cost: $35 +gst per person
This walk highlights ongoing research into alternatives to clear-cutting, exploring how tree retention forestry can support soil carbon and ecosystem resilience while addressing the real-world challenges and trade-offs of logging in a living ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll visit recent forest operations, examine how harvest decisions and equipment influence the landscape, and see what remains when clear-cutting is rethought.
Participants should be prepared to walk 1–2 km on hiking trails, rain or shine.
During my second co-op term this fall, I continued with the Liquid Waste Services Department at the City of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, building seamlessly on my summer experience. I deepened my involvement in digitizing sanitary laterals and ponds using ArcGIS, while expanding into Lift Station operations, which included uploading Electrical Asset Component data for multiple stations, copying and digitizing work reports, and preparing daily summaries.
Additionally, I handled data and document management and contributed to inter-departmental coordination, all aimed at enhancing municipal infrastructure for efficient wastewater treatment at the Norm Wood Environmental Center and sewer system maintenance. Through this progression, I advanced my skills in spatial analysis, report generation, and asset management, while appreciating how urban environmental practices intersect with forestry principles like watershed protection and sustainability. The variety of tasks, collaborative team environment, and opportunities for increased responsibility have been invaluable in refining my technical proficiency and professional growth.
The UBC Forestry Co-op Program has continued to be instrumental in enhancing my resume and interview skills, immersing me further in a small-town municipal setting to explore career paths in environmental resource management. I am profoundly grateful to the UBC Forestry Co-op Program and the City of Campbell River for this extended opportunity, which blends hands-on skill development, real-world application of my academic background in forestry, and insights into governance and infrastructure that align perfectly with my sustainability goals, and I am looking forward to the rest of my work placement.
Timber Engineering Project Worker – Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of British Columbia
During my co-op term at the Timber Engineering and Applied Mechanics (TEAM) Lab, I have been working closely with graduate researchers to support experimental testing on mass timber products, assist with sample preparation, and manage data collection for structural performance studies. Through this experience, I have strengthened my technical skills in laboratory procedures, quality control, and data analysis, while also gaining a deeper understanding of how material behavior, testing protocols, and experimental variability influence real-world engineering design. This work term has shown me how research directly contributes to innovation in sustainable wood construction, and it has helped me develop greater confidence in problem-solving, analytical thinking, and collaborative communication.
Co-op has been an invaluable bridge between classroom knowledge and industry practice, allowing me to explore my interests in wood engineering and renewable materials. I highly recommend the Co-op Program to any student who wants meaningful hands-on learning, professional growth, and the chance to contribute to impactful research in our field.
Programmes and Administrative Intern – Waterways Watch Society
This term I worked as a Programmes and Administrative Intern at Waterways Watch Society (WWS), a non-profit and non-governmental organization in Singapore. Founded in 1998, WWS creates opportunities for everyone to engage with ownership of Singapore’s waterways, a vital source of freshwater for the country. By hosting volunteer patrols and programmes for corporations and schools, WWS works towards their mission “to bring people together to love our waters and to inspire stewardship for our environment”.
Joining a team of three full-time administrative staff, my routine tasks included scheduling volunteer facilitators, setting up for and cleaning up after programs, and acting as the staff on duty during the weekends. I regularly facilitated programs for both student and corporate groups, especially those on foot, while every so often supporting bike, pedal boat, and power boat programs. A few ad hoc tasks I completed during my work term include making educational content for the WWS learning trail at Lorong Halus wetland, creating an upcycled art installation and activity about pollution’s impact on local butterflies, and being the liaise for a group of students who wanted to collaborate with the organization for their volunteer assignment.
I am very grateful for my first co-op term at WWS because it allowed me to practice my academic and career goal of fostering relationships between people and nature, especially in a dense city such as Singapore. As an international experience I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how natural resources conservation in a different context operates, where it is just as necessary for the lives of residents as it is here in Vancouver. In the work that I did and through the people I met, I learned that conservation needs a wide variety of skills and can be approached from multiple perspectives, exciting me for what comes next in my time at UBC Forestry and the Forestry Co-op Program.
