Junior Counselor – Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association
I’m a junior counselor for the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association. I’ve been working with children ages 5-10 and taking them on a week-long day camps where they get to do crafts, adventures, and foster a love of nature. Some camp activities include pond peering, aquatic ecosystem paintings, and tag games that complement the camp theme of the week.
Working in this position has helped me better understand how to navigate the interdisciplinary nature of Urban Forestry. I got to see first-hand how different stakeholders value urban nature differently depending on their preexisting background and end goals. Additionally, I also learned how these differences in opinion on how urban greenspace is managed and utilized can be reconciled between parties in a way that is satisfactory and fair to both sides.
This job can be extremely demanding at times as working with children can be very energy intensive and fast paced, especially when plans don’t pan out. However, it can also be very rewarding with the memories and friendships that can be made in such a friendly and supportive working environment.
Polymer Materials Testing Co-op – Jiangsu United Testing Services
I am a Wood Products Processing student working as a testing assistant at United Testing Service, a materials testing company in China. During my Co-op placement, I worked on both the physical and chemical testing of metal and plastic materials, focusing on their mechanical properties and compliance with international safety standards.
Specifically, my tasks involve conducting tensile, impact, and compression tests on metal samples, as well as using advanced instruments to analyze the presence of harmful substances in plastics and coatings. Since this was my first experience in a professional lab environment, I actively studied technical manuals and industry standards to familiarize myself with the testing procedures and quality control requirements.
This co-op not only strengthened my understanding of material mechanics and analytical chemistry but also gave me first-hand experience in how a professional lab operates, including task management, data reporting, and collaborative troubleshooting. One important lesson I learned was the value of precision and responsibility, especially after making mistakes in report preparation, which taught me the importance of double-checking and staying composed under pressure.
For the first half of the co-op term, I have been working as part of the Silvicultural surveying crew at Lil’wat Forestry Ventures. We have been focusing on the type of surveys that monitor the health and growing condition of forest blocks that have been treated in some way, including through burnings, logging, plantings, brushing, etc. I have learned a lot about this process from start to finish: how to plan out the surveys, evaluate the history and current state of a forest block, assess problems of access, vegetation health, stocking standards and species competition, use the technical side to collect the necessary data to accurately process it and finally to make silvicultural recommendations. This has been particularly rewarding as LFV carries out these tasks with a mixed communal, ecological and business approach that holds long-term, sustainable forest management as a goal.
How Co-op has been of great importance to me is that as an international student new to the Canadian forest industry, the program helped me get a sense of the career trajectories I can take and has been supporting me along the process of acquiring and succeeding at this position. I would recommend joining Co-op especially towards other international students such as myself. An unfamiliar country and industry are daunting enough; the Forestry Co-op program can offer guidance and a network of support at any point of your journey.
Wetland Naturalist – Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre Society
For my first co-op work term, I have been working as a Wetland Naturalist in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) at the Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre in West Creston, BC. The CVWMA is 17,000 acres of internationally recognized protected wetland. Put aside in 1968 for conservation and recreation, it was the first protected ecological area in BC and is under its own act. One part of the CVWMA objectives is providing education to the general public about conservation and the ecological processes of the wetland. The Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre Society (KCDCS) emerged from the CVWMA in 2017 to continue the CVWMA’s educational work.
A big portion of my responsibility as a Wetland Naturalist at the KCDC is to deliver school programs to over 6000 students, develop and facilitate summer camps, and deliver guided canoe tours to the public and tourists from around the world. I strongly believe that the first step to environmental action is always awareness through purposeful education. Through the hundreds of interactions I have had with a wide range of audiences, I have honed my skills in scientific and ecological communication so that I can make the information meaningful for each individual. My role at the KCDC is not solely in education though. The CVWMA is a human managed wetland, but it only has four staff made up of biologists and technicians. Therefore, at the KCDC, I also assist in some of the land management (beaver dam removal), data collection (insect species and tree swallow nest surveys), and invasive species removal (yellow flag iris).
So far I have not only gained a great deal of experience with scientific education, program development, and basic field work, but I have also learned a lot about the intersections between education, data collection/research, and management when it comes to conservation of highly productive natural spaces and endangered species. With experiences such as this position through the co-op program, I hope to find a career path that aligns with my interests and goals. The co-op program is an excellent way to start gaining work experience in the field you are interested in and useful for discovering potential career paths for after graduation!
This summer, I had the opportunity to work as a Project Management Intern at Merit Kitchens in Surrey, BC, for my second co-op work term. The primary focus of my role was to evaluate and streamline the company’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all key business functions.
By conducting data collection, analysis, and process investigation, I was able to identify pain points and recommend improvements. I presented a comprehensive proposal to senior management outlining a centralized, accessible repository for SOPs, supported by market research to recommend the most suitable technological solutions.
This position provided valuable cross-functional experience and allowed me to lead an initiative that had a tangible impact on the organization. I also developed strong analytical and documentation skills, learning how to systematically assess business processes and communicate findings effectively. Collaborating with team members across departments further helped me strengthen my interpersonal and communication abilities.
Research Assistant – Sustainable Built Environment Lab
For this co-op term, I’ve been working at the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s Sustainable Built Environment Lab at UBC, where I’m developing a scaled-down mock-up of a light-frame timber building system. It feels a lot like building a piece of furniture – it’s fun, hands-on, and surprisingly complex. I’ve been creating a detailed Revit model, making sure the design aligns with Canadian building codes, and fabricating all the parts myself using tools like table saws, laser cutters and 3D printers. The final model will also be served as a teaching demo, so it’s important that everything is both structurally accurate and easy to understand.
This experience has really pushed me to improve my technical modelling, prototyping, and problem-solving skills. I’ve also learned how sustainability and construction codes play a huge role in design decisions. And I’m especially grateful to the people I’ve worked with and who have supported me in so many ways. Their encouragement and guidance truly made this a great summer.
As a Co-op student with BC Hydro’s Integrated Vegetation Management team, I contributed to wildfire risk mitigation and habitat restoration across British Columbia, gaining valuable hands-on experience in field assessments, hazard tree identification, and monitoring urban forest Regreening projects. This role enhanced my understanding of how forest management supports infrastructure protection and community safety. I was also able to develop confidence and a variety of skills in a professional workplace setting.
I highly recommend Co-Op opportunities for those interested in exploring diverse forestry careers, building practical expertise, and making meaningful contributions to sustainable forest management.
I am doing my fourth and last co-op term at Tolko Athabasca, an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) manufacturing facility. During my work-term here I have had the pleasure of working with the Technical team to learn more about the process of making these products, as well as gain a better understanding of the steps required to ensure it reaches the quality requirements for its end use. I have been writing reports regarding different trials performed that looked to improve our process, as well as learning and performing different APA quality assurance tests.
Co-op has been an opportunity for me to try a variety of things, learn from different people and overall expand and diversify my skills and knowledge.
Wildlife Research Assistant – The University of British Columbia
During my second term as a research assistant for UBC’s Tree Ring Lab, I have performed a variety of fire-related research tasks. Mainly, my work this summer included collecting fire history data from published reports and papers to support a fire history reconstruction study led by Dr. Jen Baron. I also organized and completed my own data collection on Galiano Island in collaboration with the Galiano Conservancy Association to support my undergraduate thesis with this lab this fall.
Both experiences have helped me develop data input and organizational skills that will be critical for the completion of my thesis. I have also assisted pre- and post-fire data collection in the Okanagan and the Caribou, collecting forest fuels and tree data, doing vegetation surveys, and estimating burn severity. In June, I was offered the opportunity to prepare and deliver a lesson on tree rings to an elementary class as part of the lab’s outreach activities. I think it’s safe to say that this summer has been full of diverse and exciting roles.
Are you interested in honouring and valuing the knowledge and experiences of Indigenous Peoples? Would you like to learn about Indigenous-led land healing and action-oriented reconciliation? Join us for an online information session where we’ll introduce you to the Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship (BILS). Hear from the BILS team and get a chance to ask your questions.
The Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship program trains future land stewards by combining Indigenous knowledge, governance, and sustainability through culturally appropriate, interdisciplinary education led by Indigenous scholars and allies.
Presenters
Nadi’ Denezā Garry Merkel Director, Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship
Garry is a Tahltan from the Stikine River area in northwest British Columbia and is a professional forester with diverse expertise. His work spans community development, treaty negotiations, governance, business, and education. He has contributed significantly to Indigenous education, including being at the core of the establishment of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and the Center of Indigenous Land Stewardship. His core mission is to empower others to shape their futures, particularly Indigenous communities through land stewardship based on their traditional ethics. He believes these ethics are key to restoring humanity’s balance with nature and creating sustainable stewardship systems globally.
Carlos Ormond Director, Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives
With theoretical backgrounds and field experience in ecology, curriculum development, and community-based work, Carlos has focused his efforts over the last two decades collaborating with Indigenous and local communities, governments, industry, and post-secondary institutions at local, national, and international levels. As the Director of Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives, he plays a prominent role in UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship and supports Garry Merkel at the Centre for Indigenous Land Stewardship. Carlos is also involved in initiatives aimed at increasing the accessibility of UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship programming to Indigenous, local, and international communities while strengthening relationships with community partners.
Estefanía Milla-Moreno Program Manager
Estefanía, a Mapuche and Chilean visitor to the Musqueam territory, is a transdisciplinary researcher, educator, and environmental advocate. With a decade of experience in climate adaptation, ecological restoration, and inclusive education, she amplifies Indigenous knowledge, empowers students to challenge conventional paradigms, and collaborates with communities and academia to advance climate justice. Her work centers decolonial approaches to land stewardship, including the Indigenous Land Stewardship program, promoting sustainable practices and amplifying underrepresented voices in environmental science.
Russell Myers Ross Online Program and Operations Manager
Russell Myers Ross, a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation from Yunesit’in, holds a Master’s in Indigenous Governance from UVic. Former Chief of Yunesit’in, he has advanced Indigenous rights through leadership in language revitalization, housing, energy, land stewardship, and nation-level agreements like the Nenqay Deni Accord. His projects include the Dasiqox Nexwagwez7an initiative, Teztan Biny protection, a solar farm, and the Indigenous Fire Stewardship Program.
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