Join recent graduates of the Master of International Forestry program as they share insights and stories from internships with international organizations in Colombia, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. This session highlights the challenges and rewards of working abroad and offers practical advice for students considering global career pathways.
Presenters:
Connor Haynes
A British-born Canadian citizen with a diverse background in terrestrial restoration. Now I live in Cali, Colombia, working on national emissions estimations in the land-use sector at the International Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT. My goal is to work in collaboration with Indigenous and local communities to repair degraded lands, whilst simultaneously promoting equitable social justice.
Vivekan Jeyagaran
Sri Lankan-born Tamil-Canadian with a passion for regenerative economic and land use systems. I interned with CIFOR-ICRAF supporting the leadership team on their regenerative finance work globally, based out of Bonn, Germany.
Edwin Aluku
From Ghana, and an alumnus of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. I’m passionate about contributing to solving the complex forest challenges that confront us. I interned with Montane Forests Consultants Ltd in 100 Mile House, BC. I am currently participating in the Africa Finance Corporation Fellowship on a carbon markets project.
Chrispus Ongom
Hails from Uganda, as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UBC. I completed my internship in Uganda with CIFOR-ICRAF, as an Intern in their Department of Natural Resource Governance and Bioenergy.
Katarzyna Przystupa
Polish-Canadian MIF alumni. Completed her internship with CIFOR-ICRAF, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Mainly worked on the landscape restoration education curriculum, especially Module 3, which focuses on landscape governance.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact peter.wood@ubc.ca
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.”
From leading community conservation projects in Ghana to pursuing a Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, Michael Ochem’s journey is rooted in a lifelong passion for protecting the environment and empowering others to do the same. His story reflects the power of local action and global learning in shaping the future of sustainable forestry.
From the Coast of Ghana to Global Classrooms
My name is Michael Ochem, I come from Ekumfi Adansi, a small coastal village in Ghana’s Central Region. I hold a BSc in Natural Resources Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and currently part of the wonderful 2025/2026 MSFM class.
Growing up, I always said I wanted to touch the world and be a blessing to my community by acting locally for global impact. I believe that our environment sustains us all as humans, and to make a meaningful impact globally, one must first be well-positioned professionally. When I decided to gain professional skills in forest management, UBC was the first place that came to mind.
Redefining Forestry Through Learning
For my professional growth, the MSFM program is shaping my thinking and redefining forestry for me. I now look at forestry both contextually and globally; far broader than I used to. I have taken courses such as Site-Level Forest Management and Landscape-Level Forest Management; these twin courses influence how I reason about managing forest resources at different scales. Combined with Sustainable Forest Management Policy, they have given us the leverage not only to manage forests effectively but also to engage knowledgeably with complex policy issues in today’s world.
Amazingly, the course Working with Diverse Knowledge Systems in Sustainable Natural Resources Management has added another layer of professionalism to my conservation journey. It has deepened my understanding of the different knowledge systems that influence forest protection, an approach that is highly relevant and applicable in Ghana and across Africa.
Building Skills for a Sustainable Future
So far, I feel more prepared than ever to help my people rethink forestry. I have developed an incredible range of skills, including working with LiDAR data in ArcGIS Pro (a highly sought-after skill in the world of conservation), forest data analysis, forest survey design and modeling, site management planning, and, most importantly, confidence in engaging stakeholders at different levels. These skills are both transferable and replicable in any context.
Looking Ahead: Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
After graduation, I hope to build on the relationships I have developed with UBC professors and instructors. Before I return to Ghana, I look forward to connecting with professors and nonprofit organizations interested in conservation work, including forest and mangrove restoration across Africa. I plan to use what I have learned to influence policy development and implementation in Ghana, and to strengthen my annual Mini-TBA training program, where I mentor students in conservation research and leadership.
To anyone considering joining the MSFM program, I encourage you to come with an open heart and mind to learn. You can arrive with high expectations — and you won’t be disappointed. The program’s level of organization, professionalism, and academic rigour is outstanding. If you are passionate about sustainability and want to make a tangible difference in how forests are managed globally, the MSFM program at UBC is the perfect place to gain both technical expertise and transformative perspectives. You will leave not only as a better professional but also as a more inclusive and globally aware environmental leader.
There is no cost to attend this event but registration is required. A participação neste evento é gratuita, mas é necessária inscrição.
There will be simultaneous translation from English to Portuguese and from Portuguese to English. Haverá tradução simultânea de inglês para português e de português para inglês.
Dr. Nicholas Coops – UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
Department Head, Forest Resources Management | UBC Chair in Forest Management
Presentation title: AI Innovations in Species and Biomass Prediction Using Advanced Remote Sensing Technologies
Field of expertise: Sustainable Forest Management, Technology and Innovation Research: Nicholas and his research team at the Integrated Remote Sensing Studio (IRSS) focus on increasing the understanding of the interaction between vegetation pigments, biochemistry, and structure, and on how remote sensing technologies can be used to estimate vegetation properties at a range of spatial and temporal scales. The key focus area of IRSS is forestry and the application of remote sensing to conservation, management, and production issues.
Título da palestra:Inovações em IA na predição de espécies e biomassa utilizando tecnologias avançadas de sensoriamento remoto
Cargo: Chefe do Departamento de Gestão de Recursos Florestais, Cátedra de Gestão Florestal da UBC Área de atuação: Tecnologia e Inovação em Gestão Florestal Sustentável Linha de pesquisa: No Integrated Remote Sensing Studio (IRSS), concentra-se em aprofundar a compreensão da interação entre pigmentos vegetais, bioquímica e estrutura, e em como as tecnologias de sensoriamento remoto podem ser usadas para estimar propriedades da vegetação em diversas escalas espaciais e temporais. A principal área de atuação do IRSS é a silvicultura e a aplicação do sensoriamento remoto em questões de conservação, manejo e produção.
Dr. Gregory Paradis – UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
Assistant Professor, Forest Resource Management – Department of Forest Resource Management
Presentation title: AI in a Glass Box: Open Innovation Pathways for Data-Driven Sustainable Forest Management
Field of expertise: Sustainable Forest Management Research: Gregory focuses on the application of Operations Research (OR) methods to formulate and solve complex decision problems, with emphasis on mathematical modeling and optimization. His research lies at the intersection of forest science, forest economics, forest and industrial engineering, data science, computer science, and operations research, promoting integrated and quantitative solutions to environmental and production challenges.
Título da palestra:IA em uma Caixa de Vidro: Caminhos de Inovação Aberta para o Manejo Florestal Sustentável Baseado em Dados
Cargo: Professor Assistente, Gestão de Recursos Florestais – Departamento de Gestão de Recursos Florestais Área de atuação: Gestão Florestal Sustentável Linha de pesquisa: Concentra-se na aplicação de métodos de Pesquisa Operacional (PO) para formular e resolver problemas complexos de decisão, com ênfase em modelagem e otimização matemática. Os estudos desenvolvidos situam-se na interseção entre ciência florestal, economia florestal, engenharia florestal e industrial, ciência de dados, ciência da computação e pesquisa operacional, promovendo soluções integradas e quantitativas para desafios ambientais e produtivos.
Dr. Luiz Eduardo Soares de Oliveira – Federal University of Paraná – UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil
Professor in the Department of Informatics at the Federal University of Paraná – UFPR
Presentation title: Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Forestry Engineering
Field of expertise: Pattern recognition, machine learning, and computer vision Research: Luiz’s work is in the area of machine learning, pattern recognition, and image processing, with a focus on computer vision and applied artificial intelligence.
Título da palestra:Aplicação de técnicas de Inteligência Artificial na Engenharia Florestal
Cargo: Professor no Departamento de Informática da Universidade Federal do Paraná – UFPR Área de atuação: Reconhecimento de padrões, aprendizagem de máquina e visão computacional Linha de pesquisa: Desenvolve atividades nas áreas de aprendizagem de máquina, reconhecimento de padrões e processamento de imagens, com foco em visão computacional e inteligência artificial aplicada.
MSc. Luciana Rocha Santos – SENAI Institute of Innovation in Polymer Engineering, SENAI, Brazil
Researcher at the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Polymer Engineering
Presentation title: Industrial Applications of Forest Biomass in Polymeric Materials
Position: Researcher at the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Polymer Engineering Field of expertise: Materials technology and industrial innovation Research: Luciana works as a researcher at the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Polymer Engineering, developing research and development projects focused on improving technologies for bio-based coatings and adhesives. She is currently a PhD candidate in Environmental Quality.
Título da palestra:Aplicações Industriais da Biomassa Florestal em Materiais Poliméricos
Cargo: Pesquisadora no Instituto de Inovação em Engenharia de Polímeros do SENAI Área de atuação: Tecnologia de materiais e inovação industrial
Linha de pesquisa: Possui mais de 20 anos de experiência na indústria e atua como pesquisadora no Instituto de Inovação em Engenharia de Polímeros do SENAI, desenvolvendo projetos de pesquisa e desenvolvimento voltados ao aprimoramento de tecnologias de revestimentos e adesivos de base biológica. Atualmente é doutoranda em Qualidade Ambiental.
Earlier this month, the group — representing countries and Nations including The Gambia, Nigeria, Kenya, the Wolastoqey and Mi’kmaw Nations in New Brunswick, and the Netherlands — joined an Indigenous-led forest restoration project in the traditional territory of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB). The volunteer mission offered students a rare opportunity to participate directly in ecosystem recovery guided by Indigenous knowledge and leadership.
Healing an endangered forest
The 2023 wildfires burned with unusual intensity, leaving behind vast stretches of ash and sandy soil in one of B.C.’s most endangered forest types — the Ponderosa Pine zone. Though these dry, warm forests are naturally adapted to periodic fire, the combination of extreme heat, drought, and the pine beetle outbreak pushed the ecosystem to its limit.
In response, a long-term restoration project was launched — one that looks beyond timber values to focus on ecological and cultural renewal. The approach integrates traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary restoration science, aiming to heal both the land and the relationships that depend on it.
Learning through collaboration
Working alongside local volunteers and Elders, MIF students planted a variety of berry bushes, grasses, and young trees — species essential to local wildlife and to the Smelqmix peoples for food and medicine. Smelqmix Elders encouraged participants to speak words of encouragement to each plant as they placed it in the soil, recognizing the spiritual connection between people and the land.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to restore a degraded forest. Fire has been one of the major impacts that is causing deforestation, having a detrimental impact on the community,” MIF student Keith May said. “It was great to join a community that is ready to work and bring back what has been destroyed by our impacts, driven by extreme weather events. It’s so awesome to put back life into the earth.”
“Everybody is putting their heart and souls into the work,” said MIF student Monica Sarkies. “I know it’s the drier side of B.C. but we are expecting some rain to get the plants established. This is just a first step. We’re going to hope most of the plants survive and thrive. But, there’s so many people willing to come back out if we need to.”
Bridging knowledge systems
For many students, the trip brought classroom concepts to life. The MIF program explores how to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing with Western science, address transboundary watershed governance, and design Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). The Ashnola restoration site served as a living classroom, illustrating how these ideas intersect in practice.
“What the LSIB is doing in the Ashnola is remarkable. They are restoring the watershed on their own terms, ensuring that the forest will continue to provide traditional foods and medicines,” Peter Wood, MIF Lecturer and Coordinator said. “My students and I are grateful for the invitation to take part in this important process.”
A lesson in hope
As new shoots took root in the charred soil, the volunteers witnessed not just the recovery of a landscape, but the resilience of collaboration across cultures and disciplines. For the MIF students, the experience underscored that forest restoration is more than an environmental act — it’s a gesture of respect, reciprocity, and renewal.
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New study shows 98% of species in decline in the Lake Simcoe-Rideau ecoregion could disappear by 2050 without action, but targeted strategies offer a clear path forward
Southern Ontario is home to 133 at-risk species, 98 per cent of which could be locally extinct in the next 25 years if the provincial government takes no action to protect them. But a new study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) has found that an investment of just $7 per Ontarian in eight conservation strategies would help 75 per cent of these species recover, including the black bear, the short-eared owl and the Blanding’s turtle.
Published today in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence, the study looked at the state of biodiversity in the Lake Simcoe-Rideau ecoregion, a hotspot for species at risk. It found that if Ontario does not address risks to these species, 130 of the 133 species that are in decline, at risk or of cultural significance to Indigenous Peoples could disappear by 2050.
Researchers also found that an investment of $113 million a year in eight conservation strategies — from habitat protection to creating safe crossings for wildlife and better managing invasive species — would help recover 100 of these species. That’s less than one-tenth of one per cent of Ontario’s 2024 provincial budget.
“If Ontario continues with a ‘business as usual’ approach, 130 species — 98 per cent of those at risk — could disappear from the region by 2050,” Abbey Camaclang, study author and researcher at UBC’s faculty of forestry, said. “But our analysis shows recovery is possible and identifies the most cost-efficient ways to achieve it.”
Identifying high-impact conservation strategies
Researchers used Priority Threat Management (PTM), a decision-making tool developed by Dr. Tara Martin and her team. PTM draws on local expert knowledge to quantify costs, benefits and feasibility, and rapidly identify conservation actions that deliver the greatest biodiversity gains for the least cost.
The eight strategies identified include wildlife management, landowner stewardship, legislation and policy, habitat protection, wildlife-safe crossings, invasive species and disease management, restoration and regeneration, and industry-targeted practices.
“In Canada, we have 864 species at risk of extinction and no costed plan to save them. PTM identifies how to make the most out of the resources we have and identifies the shortfall – that is, how much more funding do we need to give these plants and animals the best chance of recovery and thriving in the future,” Dr. Tara Martin, senior author and UBC professor in the faculty of forestry, said.
In addition to benefits for wildlife, the strategies identified through PTM could also improve water quality, protect culturally important species for Indigenous Peoples, create jobs, and store and sequester carbon. Conserving and restoring habitats in the region could also avoid at least 11.2 Mt CO₂ equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions and sequester 137.6 Mt CO₂ equivalent, contributing to reducing Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions over time, and offsetting costs to implementing conservation actions.
“PTM highlights the urgent need for action in Ontario, at a time when environmental protections like the Endangered Species Act are under threat,” James Snider, vice-president, Science, Knowledge and Innovation at WWF-Canada, said. “Without new investments and strong legislation, we risk losing species like the American bumble bee, barn owl, Eastern wolf and piping plover, and weaken ecosystems that are also essential to communities’ well-being and livelihoods.”
Call for action in Ontario
UBC and WWF-Canada have also applied the Priority Threat Management framework to the Wolastoq watershed in New Brunswick, immediately putting the findings into action. WWF-Canada, working with on-the-ground partners, has restored more than 5,300 hectares of habitat and planted more than 31,000 trees and plants.
“By applying PTM to the Lake Simcoe-Rideau ecoregion, we’ve identified the most effective conservation actions and can now quantify their broader benefits — improved water quality, job creation, carbon storage. This gives decision-makers a clear roadmap to recover species at risk while delivering real environmental and societal value,” Dr. Martin said.
About World Wildlife Fund Canada WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit wwf.ca.
About Conservation Decision Lab, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship The Conservation Decision Lab is led by Dr Tara Martin and comprises a team of research fellows and graduate students pioneering the development of methods to predict impacts of cumulative effects on biodiversity and transform these predictions into decisions to inform what actions to take, when and where to recover and conserve biodiversity.
Forest Professionals BC are giving an information session about their different professional designations, how they can benefit your career, and the licensing processes. Anyone with an interest, regardless of major, is encouraged to attend. This information session is intended to offer guidance to students who have an interest, allowing them to tailor their degrees to become licensed professionals more easily.
FPBC will also host an information table in the Forest Sciences Centre (FSC) Atrium after this session. Drop by to ask any questions.
Any questions about the info session? Contact Ayra Faiz, Forestry Student Engagement Officer, at ayra.faiz@ubc.ca.
Deadline: Your photo will need to be taken by February 28, 2026 to be included in the class composite. Please note that appointment slots can fill up quickly as we get closer to the deadline; we strongly encourage booking sooner rather than later!
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Tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber have climbed to 45 per cent, following a recent increase of 10 per cent on lumber and 25 per cent on engineered wood products. UBC faculty of forestry associate professor Harry Nelson says this escalation pushes B.C.’s forestry sector into uncharted territory, threatening not just sawmills but also pulp and secondary manufacturing.
Why are Canada and the U.S. still fighting over softwood lumber after 40 years?
The U.S. claims Canada subsidizes lumber production through our stumpage system—how we manage timber on public lands. They argue it gives Canadian producers an unfair advantage. Canada and trade panels have consistently rejected that claim, but it resurfaces in cycles of tariffs and negotiations.
Canada’s softwood lumber tariffs now total 45 per cent. B.C. Premier David Eby described the situation as an existential crisis – do you agree?
Yes—tariffs this high, combined with the aftermath of fires and beetle outbreaks, are an existential threat. Canada has already paid the U.S. about $10 billion in lumber duties, and we’re unlikely to recover much of that this time.
The industry used to believe there were guardrails—that the U.S. would push, but only so far. That assumption no longer holds. The scale and scope of these tariffs are unprecedented.
Do you expect more mill curtailments and closures?
It’s hard to imagine we won’t. Companies are weighing whether to curtail, temporarily close or shut down entirely. If mills near the U.S. border—some of the best positioned in B.C.—are taking downtime, that tells you how serious this is.
Despite U.S. claims, they can’t meet their lumber needs without Canadian supply. The wild card is demand, which continues to fall. If it drops further, the pressure on producers will intensify.
How detrimental are these tariffs to secondary wood product industries?
Devastating. The sawmill sector will be hit hard, but so will contractors and the pulp and paper sector. These industries are interconnected—sawmills feed pulp mills with lower-value fibre. If sawmills shut down, the whole ecosystem suffers, from contractors to pulp and paper manufacturers.
What’s your outlook for the next six months and how should governments respond?
The next few months will likely to see more mill closures and significant impacts on forestry-dependent communities. Governments need to act quickly—not just for mills, but for contractors and support services.
These businesses don’t have the same financial buffers as large manufacturers, and the federal loan guarantee program won’t be enough. We need targeted measures to help rural communities and contractors who have few alternatives, along with longer-term strategies to build resilience in the sector. That means paying closer attention to the people behind the industry and ensuring support reaches those who typically fall through the cracks.
What needs to change in B.C.’s forestry management going forward?
We became too reliant on the U.S. market. Longer-term, we need a more diversified system that’s less vulnerable to market shocks. We have a skilled workforce, expertise and infrastructure in combination with an abundant forest resource to build a sustainable forestry sector.
The new Provincial Forest Advisory Council is currently exploring reforms to encourage innovation, diversification and resilience. The challenge is building a sector that can weather economic and ecological change while supporting rural communities. That means rethinking how we manage forests, how we add value and how we support innovation.
