Engineering a Future with Wood Products – Kiana Rowlands

November 19, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

Kiana Rowlands, BSc (Wd Prod Proc) 2025, didn’t expect to find her perfect fit in Wood Products. After starting her degree in Forest Sciences, she realized she wanted a program that blended her love of environmental science with her interests in math, engineering, and design. Now, after graduating in June of 2025, Kiana reflects on how the program reshaped her understanding of wood, engineering, and the future of low-carbon materials.

From Forest Sciences to Wood Products

Kiana Rowlands began her UBC journey in Forest Sciences. She loved the mix of environmental science and hands-on learning, but something was missing.

“I really enjoyed Forest Sciences because it had the environmental aspect, but I also loved math, engineering, and programming,” she explains. “After a guest lecture from the previous program director, I realized the Wood Products program had everything I liked: science, math, engineering, and the environment.”

Now graduating in 2025, Kiana describes the program in three words: design, engineering, and building.

The Hidden Complexity of Wood

Before joining the program, Kiana saw trees as something simple and familiar, just part of the landscape.

“You see trees everywhere, but no one really knows what it takes for a tree to grow or what’s inside the wood,” she says. “Studying wood showed me how intricate it is and how much care goes into working with it. It’s not just cutting and sanding; you need to understand the material.”

More Than Carpentry

When people hear “wood products,” they often picture carpentry or woodworking, but Kiana is quick to set the record straight.

“We are not just carpenters,” she says. “We do engineering, design, and problem-solving. We build furniture and structures, but we’re also creating materials and systems that make those things possible.”

Engineering New Ideas Through Co-op

One of Kiana’s standout experiences was her co-op with Mercer Mass Timber, where she worked as a Detailer on major construction projects.

“I did all the 2D and 3D modelling for our mass timber projects,” she says. “Some of them I can now go see in person. It’s so exciting to see the time and effort I put into drawings and models come to life.”

Her coursework in AutoCAD, design, and wood mechanics gave her the technical foundation to thrive.

That co-op experience also shaped her future, leading to Kiana having a job lined up after graduation.

“I’m going back to Mercer Mass Timber, this time in Project Management,” she shares. “I love working with mass timber and the people there, so I’m really excited to return.”

Wood’s Role in a Low-Carbon Future

Kiana is passionate about the environmental benefits of building with wood.

“Wood is a carbon sink—it stores carbon even after a tree is harvested,” she explains. “When you use it in buildings, especially as mass timber, that carbon stays locked away for decades.”

She describes mass timber as an innovative material that combines layers of dimensional lumber into large beams, columns, and panels.

“Yes, it uses a lot of wood, but it also stores a lot of carbon,” she says. “It’s a great way to remove carbon from the atmosphere and keep it stored for up to 50 years.”

At UBC, Kiana has also seen how research in wood-based products and biofuels can contribute to climate solutions.

“There’s so much innovation happening in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, especially in programs like BEST and Wood Products. It’s all about finding new ways to use wood to create sustainable materials and energy.”

A Community That Feels Like Home

What stands out most to Kiana about her time in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is the sense of community.

“The program is small, about 30 students per class, so you get to know your professors and classmates really well,” she says. “It feels like a college-sized community within a big university.”

As part of the Forestry Undergraduate Society (FUS), Kiana also connected with students across other programs.

“I loved that I could walk into any building and always find someone I know. Being part of FUS helped me meet people from all over Forestry, not just my program.”

Advice for Future Engineers

For students interested in engineering and sustainability, Kiana believes the Wood Products Processing program offers the best of both worlds.

“It may not be the typical path to engineering, but it’s still all about designing and building with structural materials,” she says. “If you care about the environment and want to help solve climate change by creating beautiful, sustainable buildings, this program is perfect for you.”

Learn more about a major in Wood Products at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.

Posted in: News, Wood Products Featured
Tagged with: Alumni, Engineering, Student Stories, Undergraduate, Wood Products

Branchlines: Agroforestry Food Production

November 17, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

Nearly four billion people around the world rely on agricultural food systems for their livelihoods, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Rows of cassava plants, like the ones pictured here, are commonplace throughout Guyana.

Plants sustain the daily nutritional needs of people around the world, many of whom are also engaged in the cultivation and distribution of these agricultural goods. As the climate changes, so too are the rules of the game to succeed in bringing crops to harvest. Several UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship faculty members are actively engaged in research with communities in BC and abroad to investigate how to support, introduce or adapt food crops to shifting local and environmental landscapes.

Around 30-35% of global food production transpires on fewer than two hectares of land, called smallholder farms. “Smallholders who claim ownership of this land may have worked its soils for generations, carrying with them rich, place-based knowledge of the cultivation of a suite of plants, including agroforestry crops,” says Janette Bulkan, Assoc. Prof. in the Department of Forest Resources Management at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.

For decades, Janette has led research with Indigenous peoples in Guyana on the production of food crops, among them varieties of bitter cassava (Manihot esculenta) selectively propagated by Indigenous Peoples in the Amazon Basin long before the arrival of Europeans in the 1500s. The naturally occurring cyanide in the bitter cassava enables the plants to thrive despite myriad fungal pathogens and insects in their habitat.

“Amazonian Indigenous Peoples developed a sophisticated method for separating the cyanide from the rasped and mashed cassava tubers before baking the soft white flour,” notes Janette. “The denatured cyanide is used as a meat tenderiser. Nothing is wasted from this versatile plant.”

Among the Makushi People in southern Guyana, 140-170 varieties of cassava are recognised by women farmers for their distinct plant morphologies, soil suitablilities, flood tolerance, drought resistance and nutritional properties. Cassava plant stem cuttings are actively exchanged between friends and extended families, enabling their swift and wide distribution.

“For people living in parts of Peru to French Guiana, it is common knowledge that, when you have a cassava farm, you won’t starve.” — Janette Bulkan

“Farmers know which cassava varietals are best-suited to different environmental conditions, such as flooding and drought, as well as for different uses,” adds Janette. “Grown on the Guyana shield — among the most nutrient-poor soils in the world — this knowledge could be applied to growing crops elsewhere.”

Shea nuts, like the one pictured here, are primarily exported from West African countries. Dramatic declines in shea forest cover in recent times, amounting to approximately eight million trees per year, are putting pressure on local communities to protect this valuable resource.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in the northern part of the Sub-Saharan African country of Ghana, Terry Sunderland, UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Prof. in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, is leading a project on pressing food sovereignty and economic livelihood barriers facing women smallholders who are unable to gain legal title over the shea parklands that they harvest. The project is being undertaken with UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship graduate students and Ghana’s University for Development Studies, with support from the Peter Gilgan Foundation.

“Women are the guardians of food security in the region,” says Terry. “Empowering women smallholders with shea agroforestry operations can have ripple effects throughout their communities in terms of increased economic opportunities, food security and ecological resilience.”

Native shea predominantly grows along a narrow, semi-arid Sahelian geographic zone that stretches across parts of northern Ghana, Burkina Faso and northern Nigeria. A staple, edible fruit with the consistency of avocado and the flavour of mango, the kernel inside the nut of the shea fruit contains shea butter, which is used locally as a cooking oil and body oil.

Shea butter is also a key ingredient in creams and other commercial products sold on international markets, including in North America. However, most of the profits from shea butter production occur following manufacturing. Women smallholders, who almost solely sell the raw product, realize a miniscule fraction of the gains from their labour.

“Shea parklands present a significant, ongoing opportunity for women smallholders to achieve economic independence, particularly in a region where wider income opportunities and food availability are scarce.” — Terry Sunderland

“Shea is a longer-term, sustainable source of income for Ghanaians,” says Terry. “One approach that we are investigating with women smallholders is identifying opportunities to create value-added shea products locally that can be sold on local and international markets, retaining more of the profits of the production of shea among women smallholders.”

Another challenge facing the region is the decline in shea trees in northern Ghana agroforestry parklands from an estimated average of 230 trees per hectare in the 1940s to fewer than 11 trees per hectare in 2011. The reasons for this decline range from climate change to urban expansion, subsistence farming for annual crops and tree removal for fuelwood or charcoal.

Shea butter and shea oil, which is extracted from shea butter, are used in a variety of commercial plants, including creams, cosmetics and hair treatments.

“Within the past 10 years, the region has experienced significantly more extreme weather in the form of severe storms, droughts and floods that have put increased stress on food and commercial crop production,” says Terry.

Importantly, active cultivation is a necessary ingredient in improved shea tree survival rates. “Without human oversight and husbandry, less than 25% of trees survive long enough to produce commercially viable shea fruit,” Terry explains. “Women smallholders play an integral role in increasing shea tree survival through active cultivation, contributing to a stable source of income for them and their families, as well as addressing issues surrounding food security and ecological degradation.”

Posted in: Branchlines, News
Tagged with: Agroforestry, Cassava, Citizen farmers, Crop adaptation, Shea butter, Shea tree, Women Smallholders

In the spotlight: Kimberly Yazzie

November 14, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

Meet Dr. Kimberly Yazzie.

Dr. Yazzie joins the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forests & Conservation Sciences. Kim conducts research across a number of areas: freshwater ecology, climate solutions and Indigenous land and water governance.

Kim earned her Ph.D. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from the University of Washington. Prior to joining UBC, Kim was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University at the Woods Institute for the Environment where she worked on climate mitigation and energy transformation in Tribal communities in the U.S. At UBC, she will lead research on ecosystem resilience in freshwater systems and Indigenous land stewardship.

Kim is Diné from the Navajo Nation and grew up in Arizona, Southwestern United States. She enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, experiencing art, meditation and going on long urban walks. Dr. Yazzie also finds joy in baking and painting in watercolour.

What inspired you to pursue your area of research?

Early on, I developed a keen awareness of the urgent risks that climate change poses to humanity and biodiversity, most notably the access to and availability of freshwater resources in the Southwest. As a child, I spent time locating seeps and springs on the tabletop mesa I grew up on and spent a fair amount of time cooling off in the San Juan River in Utah, a tributary to the Colorado River.

Water issues have always been dear to me from water rights, access to water, to water quality. One of my earliest memories of capturing environmental issues on paper was drawing a diagram of an acid rain pathway in grade school. I drew elements of industrial pollution, cars, rain, and plants. I still have this drawing. Since grade school, my career trajectory has intersected with research that informs decision-making for water and energy security.

What do you hope to achieve through your work at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?

I plan to employ a water-energy-food-climate nexus approach to understand the present and future impacts of different levels of water and land stewardship and governance, on biodiversity and climate resilience. My research has grown to be interdisciplinary, and I am thrilled to form new collaborations and partnerships to explore scalable projects.

What motivated you to join the Faculty?

There were countless attractions that drew me to UBC, I will share three. One, to be a part of the first-of-its-kind Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship Program in Forestry. Two, the various levels of support at UBC for innovative research at the local and global scales in management, conservation, and policy. Three, the unmatched and immediate access to British Columbia’s stunning natural environment that provides exceptional opportunities for research and teaching.

What are you most looking forward to as a faculty member of UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?

I look forward to supporting the BILS program and growing new collaborations with colleagues in Forestry and with researchers across campus and internationally.

Posted in: FCS Featured, In the Spotlight, News
Tagged with: Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship, Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry

MUFL Students Explore Innovative Approaches to Urban Forestry in Global Green Cities

November 13, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) students recently took their learning global, traveling to Australia and New Zealand to see how cities like Melbourne and Christchurch are reimagining urban spaces through sustainability, design, and community leadership.

Students explored how local governments, researchers, and city planners are tackling real-world challenges like climate resilience, water management, and biodiversity in dense urban areas.

This immersive learning experience is a defining feature of the MUFL program, which welcomes both recent graduates and professionals ready to apply their knowledge to tackle complex urban forestry challenges. With UBC’s campus as a living lab, students combine arboricultural science, urban design, and leadership training to prepare for dynamic careers in sustainability and city planning.

Each year, the program’s field trips offer students the chance to connect classroom learning with global practice. We spoke to students Hincent Ng, Bill Ralston, Gerard Fournier, Bryan Moffatt and Francesca Yep about their experience in Australasia and how it fostered networking and collaboration efforts with global urban forestry leaders.

Why was it valuable to experience other global urban forest environments?

BR: The opportunity to exchange information first-hand and receive exposure to innovative practices in urban forestry provides immense value to students. Understanding the challenges we face on a more a global scale broadens the depth of our knowledge acquisition in the urban forestry discipline and places like Melbourne are an excellent canvas to learn more about how cities can address contemporary urban forestry challenges.

HN: Melbourne is one of the leading green cities in the world. Visiting provided us with valuable insights, inspiring me to contribute meaningfully to the development and betterment of my own city of Hong Kong.

GF: I think it was particularly valuable to learn first-hand about Melbourne’s challenges and greater experiences as they relate to climate change, global heating, and urban forestry. For example, Melbourne’s intensive efforts to preserve trees and green space for public temperature control and human health in the city by utilizing and recycling every available drop of stormwater and runoff.

FY: Being from Vancouver, Melbourne’s history has many parallels to us regarding colonization and the unjust treatment of their Indigenous Peoples. Therefore, experiencing Melbourne’s urban forests can aid in creating more than just new ideas for the future regarding climate change, but also how to reconcile the past.

How do trips like this benefit MUFL students academically and professionally?

BM: Trips such as this provide students with the opportunity to observe and understand how urban forestry practitioners in different regions approach decision-making and management of urban forests. These experiences are invaluable for both academic and professional growth, offering insights that can be directly integrated into my own scholarly work and professional practice.

GF: Academically, it was very valuable to make new connections and meet face to face with respected and award-winning journal authors and researchers including recent graduates of the MUFL program. Professionally, I feel like it literally broadened my horizons and made me realize that urban forestry is facing similar challenges in every corner of our planet, and we can all and should all be learning from our collective experiences.

FY: Academically, I think the trip helps retain a large combination of things learned throughout the MUFL program. Hearing lectures, or reading papers you are constantly learning. Comparatively, going to the place you are still learning but also retaining and connecting lessons to real world experiences. For instance, the Woody Meadow Planting site in Melbourne is a study that I had previously read about, but seeing the work in person really leaves a larger influence on what you remember. I think the MUFL trip benefited my professional development the most. It was an amazing and fun experience to get to meet your cohort in person. The connections formed on the trips are ones I know will continue even after we complete the program.

In 2026, the next MUFL cohort will explore urban greening in Montreal, Canada.

Whether you’re a recent graduate that can bring your acquired knowledge and apply it to tackle urban forestry challenges, or a professional ready to elevate your career, MUFL offers the skills, practitioners and community to lead the change.

To learn more about the MUFL program, its requirements, eligibility and admissions, an exclusive info session is taking place on November 28, 2025.

Register here.

Posted in: MUFL Featured, News, Urban Forestry Featured
Tagged with: green cities, Master of Urban Forestry Leadership, Sustainability, Urban Forestry

Yazzie, Kimberly

November 12, 2025 | Author: UBC FES

Yazzie, Kimberly

Assistant Professor

Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences

Forest Sciences Centre 3024
2424 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Canada

kimberly.yazzie@ubc.ca

@kimberlyazzie.bsky.social

Research Areas:

Applied Aquatic Science Applied Conservation Science Communities and Indigenous Knowledge Ecosystems and Climate Change Human Dimensions of the Environment

Research

Research

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Dr. Yazzie’s research areas are in freshwater ecology, climate solutions, and Indigenous land and water governance. Kim earned her Ph.D. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from the University of Washington. Prior to joining UBC, Kim was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University at the Woods Institute for the Environment where she worked on climate mitigation and energy transformation in Tribal communities in the U.S. At UBC, she will lead research on ecosystem resilience in freshwater systems and Indigenous land stewardship.

Posted in: Applied Aquatic Science, Applied Conservation Science, Assistant Professors, Communities and Indigenous Knowledge, Ecosystems and Climate Change, Faculty Profiles, FCS Faculty, Human Dimensions of the Environment
Tagged with: Applied Aquatic Science, Applied Conservation Science, Communities and Indigenous Knowledge, Ecosystems and Climate Change, Human Dimensions of the Environment

Izquierdo-Tort, Santiago

November 12, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

Izquierdo-Tort, Santiago

Assistant Professor, David Brand Professorship in Sustainable Forestry and Conservation Finance

Department of Forest Resources Management

Forest Sciences Centre
2424 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Canada

santiago.izquierdotort@ubc.ca

Personal website

Research Areas:

Applied Conservation Science Communities and Indigenous Knowledge Sustainable Forest Management

Research
Selected Publications

Research

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My research explores how economic incentives and market-based approaches to forest governance contribute to livelihood, biodiversity, and climate goals. Much of my work focuses on the effectiveness and equity of public payment-for-conservation policies in tropical regions, and the emergence of global markets for carbon and biodiversity. I collaborate across disciplines and engage with policymakers, communities, and local organisations to inform the design and implementation of interventions.

Selected Publications

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Posted in: Applied Conservation Science, Assistant Professors, Communities and Indigenous Knowledge, Faculty Profiles, FRM Faculty, Sustainable Forest Management
Tagged with: Applied Conservation Science, Communities and Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainable Forest Management

MIF International Internships: Tales from the Field

November 12, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

When: Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 4-5 PM, Reception to Follow
Where: Forest Sciences Centre, Room 1003

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

Posted in: Events, Past Events
Tagged with: Alumni, International Forestry, Internships, professional masters

“Build a world worth building for,” Anwulika Mordi, Master of International Forestry

November 7, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

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.”

Posted in: MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: International Forestry, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, professional masters, Student Stories

From Ghana to UBC: Michael Ochem’s Journey

November 7, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

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.

Before coming to UBC, I worked as a Conservation Project Officer with A Rocha Ghana, where I led several impactful community-based initiatives like Sea Turtle Conservation (including; the digital turtle threat reporting system), mangrove restoration, climate-smart agriculture techniques, and environmental education for Ghanaian schools. My work earned me a place in The Explorers Club 50 Class of 2025 for leadership in grassroots biodiversity conservation. See also NBS Project.

Choosing UBC to Act Locally and Impact Globally

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.

Learn more about the Master of Sustainable Forest Management at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.

Posted in: MIF Featured, News
Tagged with: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, professional masters, Student Stories, Sustainable Forest Management

AI Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Forestry Webinar

November 7, 2025 | Author: UBC Forestry

When: November 27, 2025 | 2-4 pm (PST) / 19h-21h (Curitiba time)
Where: Online via Zoom
Questions?: carlos.ormond@ubc.ca (english) | seaflor@ufpr.br (português)

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.

Canadian and non-Brazilian Participants :

Participantes Brasileiros:

Inscrevam-se Aqui

Presenters / Palestrante

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.

Email: nicholas.coops@ubc.ca
Profile link: https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/nicholas-coops/

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.

Email: gregory.paradis@ubc.ca
Profile link: https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/gregory-paradis/

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.

Email: Luiz.oliveira@ufpr.br
Profile link: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8607171759049558

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.

Email: luciana.santos@senairs.org.br
Profile link: http://lattes.cnpq.br/1365652980241457

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