UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s “Notes from the Field” series highlights the work of different community forests in collaboration with the British Columbia Community Forests Association.
In this issue, we share insights from UBC student contributors who joined the 2025 SISCO fall field tour to explore adaptive silviculture in BC’s dry-belt Douglas-fir ecosystems, highlighting innovative fuel treatments, collaborative learning, and the importance of flexible, forward-thinking forest management in a changing climate.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship researchers Huayu Liu and Dr. Feng Jiang. Credit: UBC
New solvent-efficient technique reduces chemical use by up to 70 per cent in fibre production
A UBC research team has developed a cleaner way to produce rayon, a popular fabric used in clothing for more than a century. The process could significantly reduce chemical use and improve sustainability in textile manufacturing.
The study, led by UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship associate professor Dr. Feng Jiang and doctoral student Huayu Liu, demonstrates a method for spinning continuous cellulose fibres without the harsh, toxic solvents traditionally used in commercial fibre production.
“People have been making synthetic cellulose fibres like rayon for more than 130 years,” says Dr. Jiang. “The material itself is biodegradable and renewable, but the processes behind it can be highly toxic, energy-intensive and damaging to the environment. Our goal was to find a way to dramatically reduce that impact.”
How it’s made
Cleaner rayon-type fibres produced by UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship research team. Credit: UBC
Traditional methods for producing synthetic cellulose fibres involve fully dissolving cellulose using large amounts of strong, often toxic chemicals. UBC researchers took a different approach. Instead of dissolving everything, they worked with microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) – tiny, hair-like strands of cellulose that can be made with simple mechanical grinding and very few chemicals.
MFC is easy to source and much gentler to produce, but it usually doesn’t flow well enough to be spun into long, continuous threads. To solve that, the researchers added a small amount of softened, dissolved cellulose that acts like a natural “glue,” helping the tiny fibres slide, connect and twist together into a smooth fibre.
The outcome: a strong, continuous thread that can be woven just like conventional textile fibres.
“What we found is that we don’t actually need to dissolve cellulose completely to get continuous fibres,” says Liu. “By dissolving only a portion of it, we can reduce the amount of solvent needed by as much as 70 per cent — and we can recycle all of it.”
Cleaner and more sustainable
As this method works with less processed pulp it also cuts out several steps that normally involve bleaching or harsh chemical treatment for dissolving pulp, making the entire process cleaner, simpler and more sustainable.
Dr. Jiang says the findings represent real progress. “Making synthetic cellulose fibre with less chemical input and far lower environmental impact is a meaningful step,” he said. “Sustainability isn’t only about the final material – it’s about sourcing the raw material responsibly and ensuring the entire process avoids toxic solvents and minimizes pollution.”
The fibres have so far been produced at lab scale, and the team is now exploring opportunities to scale up production. They have partnered with Professor Stephanie Phillips at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s fashion design school to test knitting and weaving prototypes once larger quantities are available.
“We hope these fibres will eventually be used for sustainable clothing and fabric manufacturing,” said Dr. Jiang. “This research shows that a more circular, lower-carbon pathway for textiles is possible.”
Thanks to a transformational gift of $800,000 from Dr. Yosef Wosk, 800,000 trees will be planted at UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Alex Fraser and Malcolm Knapp Research Forests over the coming years.
“This gift supports the long-term vitality of the stands at our research forests, and the high-calibre research, education and teaching underway there,” states UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Prof. and Dean Rob Kozak. “We are incredibly grateful to Yosef for entrusting us with helping to realize a large part of his vision to plant one million trees.”
Yosef has many accolades and accomplishments to his name. He is a rabbi, scholar, Adjunct Prof. in Global Humanities, poet, published author, philanthropist, Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Member of the Order of British Columbia and Officer of the Order of Canada. Locally, he is also well-known for founding the Philosophers’ Cafe and the Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars, as well as receiving the Freedom of the City, the City of Vancouver’s highest civilian honour, in 2022.
Yosef carries forward his family’s tradition of contributing to charity (Tsedaka). In step with the teachings of their Jewish faith, giving affords an opportunity to care for the world and its next generation of inhabitants.
Among Yosef’s many philanthropic contributions is a dazzling canopy of 100,000 trees at the Morris J. and Dena Wosk Peace Forest near Jerusalem planted in commemoration of his parents. Both this gift, as well as his donation to UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, sprang from an inspiring childhood experience.
“I found carob trees in the world when I was born. Just as my ancestors planted for me so I, too, plant for my children.”
— From “Honi and the Carob Tree,” a tale from the Talmud (Ta’anit 23a) collection of Jewish laws and traditions
“When I was around six years old, there was a program at school that let us buy for a nickel a leaf-shaped sticker that we could then place on our individual diagrams of a tree,” Yosef recalls. “Over the course of a year, if we filled up all of the leaves on our trees, a real one would be planted in our name in Israel. This was fascinating to me.”
“Being able to contribute to nature now, I am reminded of how we are all connected,” Yosef adds. “Just as we need to protect ourselves in life to thrive, we also need to protect the forests, air and oceans.”
Yosef was inspired by Jean Giono’s book, The Man Who Planted Trees, which chronicles the tireless efforts of a shepherd planting 100 acorns per day to reforest his desolate surroundings and return life to the region: “… as we went back towards the village, I saw water flowing in brooks that had been dry since the memory of man. This was the most impressive result of chain reaction that I had seen.”
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship wishes to congratulate Dr. Shawn Mansfield on being named a UBC Distinguished University Scholar!
About Shawn Mansfield
Dr. Shawn Mansfield is a leading expert in tree biotechnology, focusing on the relationship between gene expression and phenotypic traits related to cell wall development. His research spans plant metabolism, including cellulose and lignin biosynthesis, sucrose metabolism, and overall tree metabolism. He also explores how trees interact with their environment, investigating their potential for remediation of anthropogenic contaminants such as phosphorus, salt, and heavy metals.
About the UBC Distinguished University Scholar Award
The Distinguished University Scholar (DUS) program honors UBC Faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly achievement. Held biennially, the DUS designation is awarded by the President on the recommendation of an adjudication panel. Appointees receive a one-time research grant of $20,000, along with an annual stipend of $20,000 for five years, which may be renewed once for an additional five-year term.
As British Columbians prepare for the holiday season, climate change is reshaping the Christmas tree industry in unexpected ways.
We spoke with Dr. Sally Aitken, a forest geneticist at UBC, about why warming winters may shift which species can thrive on B.C. farms and how extreme weather is affecting the trees we bring into our homes each December.
How is climate change affecting B.C.’s Christmas tree industry?
Dr. Sally Aitken. Credit: UBC.
We’re seeing several challenges. Recent droughts have made it harder to establish young trees, and the heat dome in 2021 killed or damaged young trees at many Christmas tree farms—trees that might have been coming to market now. Douglas fir, the mainstay of B.C.’s Christmas tree farms, is fairly drought-tolerant, but newly planted seedlings are still vulnerable. That early stress alone could push growers to rethink their species mix.
We’re also seeing more insect and disease pressure on conifers, including pathogens like Swiss needle cast, which causes trees to lose needles, and no one wants a sparse Christmas tree.
Are some Christmas tree species more vulnerable than others?
Yes. The “premium trees” (true firs like noble fir) are more sensitive. They’re naturally higher-elevation species, and warming temperatures are making lower-elevation farms less suitable for them.
We’ve seen die-offs of related fir species in other countries during heat and drought events. In South Korea, for example, a fir species experienced widespread mortality linked to warmer, drier conditions.
Could this change what types of trees we see for sale?
Possibly. One interesting candidate is white fir. It’s not native to B.C. but grows in California and Oregon, and climate models suggest it could do well here as conditions warm. That’s not ideal for native ecosystems, but it could create options for growers.
If warming continues, consumers may see more heat-tolerant species and fewer traditional true firs. Economics also matter: Douglas fir reaches six feet in six or more years, while true firs take longer. Growers need to balance production time with demand for premium species.
What’s the biggest climate threat to Christmas trees right now?
Unusually warm winter spells followed by sudden hard frosts can damage trees. We saw the impact of that pattern when B.C. lost most of its fruit and wine grape crop after a warm January was followed by extreme cold. Christmas trees face the same vulnerability. Those abrupt swings can damage or kill young trees.
Are there any climate advantages for Christmas tree farming?
Compared with natural forests, growers have more control. They can irrigate during drought, fertilize when needed and keep inputs relatively low. And importantly, Christmas trees come from agricultural land, not natural forests, so they don’t contribute to deforestation.
What’s your advice for holiday shoppers?
Think of a Christmas tree as a chance to make a thoughtful environmental choice. A real tree is lower-impact than many holiday items that get used once and thrown out. Support local growers, charities and community groups that sell trees. And after the holidays, make sure your tree is composted or mulched. Many communities, including UBC Botanical Garden offer easy drop-off options. Small decisions like that, multiplied across households, make a real difference.
Su Qing’s journey to UBC’s Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) program began far from a traditional forestry path. With a background in English and a growing passion for nature, she discovered MUFL as the perfect bridge between communication, culture, and urban greening. In this reflection, she shares how the program has shaped her skills, confidence, and vision for more sustainable, caring cities.
Discovering MUFL Through an Unexpected Path
I’m Su Qing, a current student in the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) program at UBC’s Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. Before coming to Vancouver, I completed my BA in English at Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University in China. Thanks to a partnership between my home university and UBC, I first learned about MUFL and realized it was a rare chance to connect my language background with my long-standing love for nature and forests.
Finding the Right Fit: Interdisciplinary Learning and Leadership
My earlier academic focus was linguistics, but during my undergrad, I kept choosing forestry-related electives and spending time outdoors. When I discovered that MUFL welcomes students from diverse disciplines and is built as an interdisciplinary, leadership-oriented professional program that combines urban forestry, planning, governance, and communication, I felt this program was exactly where I could grow into the kind of “all-round” professional I wanted to become.
Growing Through Coursework and Field Experience
So far, MUFL has helped me grow both professionally and personally. Academically, I’ve been introduced to a completely new field: urban forest governance, arboriculture, geomatics, and urban forest benefits assessment. Practically, I’ve joined field trips around Metro Vancouver to observe street trees and parks, practice tree assessment, and discuss tree risk and management decisions on-site with classmates and instructors. There is nothing more powerful than standing under a real tree with people from all over the world and debating how to care for it in a dense city.
Building Skills in Leadership, Communication, and Cultural Understanding
Some of the most valuable skills I’ve gained include thinking about urban forestry from a governance and leadership perspective, communicating across cultures and disciplines, and working with diverse knowledge systems in sustainable natural resource management. These experiences have also made me more confident in speaking up in English in professional settings.
Looking Ahead: Designing Greener, Caring Cities
After graduation, I hope to continue my studies and explore how urban forests can support mental health and human well-being, especially for students, migrants, and other urban residents. My dream is to help design and manage greener, more caring cities in China and beyond.
Advice for Future MUFL Students
For anyone considering MUFL, my advice is: don’t be afraid if you don’t come from a traditional forestry background. If you’re curious, ready to learn in the field (even in the rain!), and want to become someone who can independently lead urban greening projects, MUFL is an incredibly welcoming and inspiring place to start.
Take part in a tour of the First Nations House of Learning and cedar weaving workshop. This event is open to all UBC faculty, staff, and students.
While the event is primarily aimed at STEM faculties as part of regular EDI.I programming, anyone interested, especially those enrolled in the IDEAL or Cascades of Change programs, is welcome to attend. This experiential opportunity fulfills the Stage 2 requirements for both programs and offers a unique chance to learn directly from Indigenous knowledge and practice.
We are proud to congratulate Dr. Lori Daniels, MSc’94, on receiving this year’s Faculty Community Service Award at the Alumni Achievement Awards. A leading expert in wildfire resilience, Dr. Daniels has made an extraordinary impact through her commitment to community engagement and knowledge sharing.
As a co-founder and the inaugural Koerner Chair of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, she works closely with Indigenous and rural communities to co-develop science-based, culturally grounded solutions that support wildfire preparedness and long-term forest health. Her dedication to public education, spanning hundreds of media interviews, speaking events, and national forums, has helped shape policy, strengthen stewardship, and deepen understanding of how we can coexist with wildfire.
Awarded the 2023 Association of Fire Ecology Distinguished Leader in Research Award and 2020 Killam Teaching Prize in Forestry, she is a proven public educator, having given over 250 presentations, workshops and field tours to forest professionals and community and school groups. Since 2015, she has conducted close to 300 media interviews as a specialist. In 2022, Dr. Daniels was a panelist on the “Expert Roundtable on Wildfire and Forest Resilience” held in conjunction with the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) release of their report on climate tipping points.
Please join us in celebrating Dr. Daniels’ outstanding contributions to people, place, and the future of wildfire resilience.
Camera trap image of black-tailed deer grazing. Credit: Tara Martin
As ecosystems in coastal British Columbia disappear due to long-term browsing pressures from overabundant black-tailed deer, a new study led by UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship with Coast Salish Nations and regional research partners identifies the most effective solutions to address deer overabundance on the Southern Gulf Islands.
The research, published in People and Nature, finds Indigenous-led hunting to be the most successful and cost-effective strategy for managing hyperabundant deer when considering ecological and cultural needs. Drawing on both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, the study also highlights the importance of honoring distinct knowledge and value systems equitably in wildlife management.
Sidney Island impacted by deer grazing. Credit: Tara Martin
A growing ecological crisis
Following almost two decades of research led by Dr. Tara Martin from UBC’s Forestry, black-tailed deer populations on the Southern Gulf Islands are now estimated to be up to 10 times higher than they were a century ago, due to a combination of human-altered landscapes, restrictions on hunting, and the eradication of predators.
As deer populations grow unchecked, they overbrowse vegetation, prevent forests from regenerating, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt cultural connections to the land.
“For most people these islands look beautiful and natural, but they are entirely degraded,” says Dr. Martin. “The change has been so slow, most people don’t recognize this shift. We’ve found hyperabundant deer are one of the major drivers of this change.” The consequences are stark. One of B.C.’s most endangered ecosystems, the Garry Oak meadow, is now at risk of irreversible collapse due to overgrazing. Other regions across Canada and the globe are facing similar threats from hyperabundant herbivores including Haida Gwaii, Ontario, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Ecosystems thriving on the Channel Islands where there is no deer. Credit: Tara Martin
Inclusive approach to decision-making
Developing deer management strategies that address overpopulation and also support the well-being of people and the land—rather than focusing solely on ecology—is inherently complex.
“This study offers a roadmap to help unpack complicated problems where many values and goals compete, often leading to decision paralysis and inaction” says lead author and doctoral student Sofie McComb. “Hyperabundant deer are damaging ecosystems around the world, and we’re offering a framework that gives decision-makers practical, inclusive solutions.”
Working in collaboration with Coast Salish Nations and local land stewards and knowledge holders, Dr. Martin’s group considered a number of strategies for successful deer management. These included Indigenous-led hunting, improving predator viability, hiring deer reduction specialists, using birth control, increasing licensed hunting, and combining approaches.
Indigenous-led hunting was the only strategy with a high likelihood of being successful and achieving ecological and cultural benefits. Compared to the status quo, Indigenous-led hunting was found to increase the likelihood of maximizing human and ecological wellbeing by almost 60 per cent, and was more than 50 per cent likely to maximize project uptake and implementation goals.
Strategies such as increased licensed hunting were cost-effective from a Western science perspective, as they are low-cost strategies with moderate feasibility, but were less likely to achieve meaningful long-term benefits (less than 30 per cent likelihood).
Researcher Sofie McComb on Yellow Island. Credit: Tara Martin
Cost of inaction
Experts agreed that sticking with the status quo will not improve ecosystem functions and will continue to feed the decision-making paralysis fuelled by a fear of controversy. Researchers warn that delaying action is the most harmful option.
“If we don’t do something soon, the ecosystems will not be recoverable, because there will be nothing left” says Sofie McComb. “The deer are also struggling, and have turned to eating starvation foods. Inaction is action – that is the action that has been chosen and the ecosystem is suffering.”
The study provides an inclusive, transparent framework for communities worldwide facing hyperabundant herbivores. By integrating multiple knowledge systems and weighing feasibility and cost alongside ecological and cultural benefits, decision-makers can chart a path toward recovery that is both effective and socially grounded.
“It’s possible to find solutions to complex environmental issues that are good for people, the land and the deer” says Dr. Martin. “This work shows that restoring cultural sovereignty and ecosystem health can go hand in hand.”
Media contact Charlotte Fisher Marketing & Media Relations Strategist UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship charlotte.fisher@ubc.ca
