In this edition of Coffee Connect, we caught up with Dr Suzanne Simard to learn more about the FRST 304 course: Forest Stewardship in a Changing Climate.
The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the fundamentals of forest ecosystems, starting with forest disturbance and succession, progressing through soils, biodiversity, carbon and biogeochemical cycling, while touching on forestry and restoration practices.
What is FRST 304 all about?
This course introduces the fundamentals of forest ecosystems — what forests are, how they’re structured, and how they function. Students learn what makes up a forest and how forests play a critical role in the global climate and carbon cycles. We also explore what we can do in forests to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Why is this course especially important right now?
It’s a very timely course. As a society, we’re at a turning point where we have to decide whether to exploit forests or manage them for long-term health and productivity. Forest stewardship is a natural climate solution, but we need to understand how to do it properly. If we choose that path, forests can play a powerful role in mitigating climate change and giving us time to adapt to the changes ahead.
What skills and knowledge do students gain from doing the course?
First, students gain a solid understanding of how forests work. When they walk through a forest, they’ll actually understand what they’re seeing. They’ll learn to identify tree species common to the Pacific coast, recognize different plants, and understand soils and the forest floor.
Beyond that, they’ll be able to explain the major ecological cycles happening in forests — like carbon and nutrient cycling — and connect forest structure to function. These are skills they can use to communicate with others and apply in many different fields.
Is this course only for forestry students?
Not at all. Anyone can take this course. You don’t need any special background — just curiosity about forests and climate change. Students from any year and any faculty are welcome, whether they’re in law, humanities, science, or another discipline. The course is designed to build understanding as you go, so the material is very accessible.
Can you tell us about the course format?
FRST 304 is a fully asynchronous online course. That means students can watch lectures at times that work for them, which is helpful if they have scheduling conflicts with other courses. There are some labs and written assignments, but the course offers a lot of flexibility. You can really fit it into your life — and that’s one of its biggest strengths.
What would you say to a student who’s considering taking FRST 304?
I’d say, please come take this course. You’ll learn things you won’t get in other classes, and you’ll be exposed to ideas that might be outside your main discipline but that you can integrate into your own field. Most importantly, it offers a hopeful perspective — it shows that there are real solutions and that we can take meaningful action on climate change.
For more information on FRST 304, read more here.
