The Master of International Forestry (MIF) program at UBC Forestry spent a week in Tofino to take their learning to new heights.
“The trip was amazing and incredibly insightful,” Katarzyna Longina Przystupa said, a current MIF student. “Seeing how B.C. Forestry issues can be connected to international environmental problems was especially eye-opening. My favourite part was meeting local Indigenous leaders and learning in the field.”
The trip was an opportunity for students in the program to learn from the land and several guest speakers around Tofino.
The students, led by Peter Wood and Terry Sunderland, boarded the ferry early Monday morning headed for the island. A colourful, Community Action bus awaited them in Nanaimo, ready for what the week had in store.
Exploring old growth on Vancouver Island
Along the way to Tofino, the cohort stopped in Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park. They experienced some of the oldest and tallest trees in Canada. The park preserves an internationally significant representative example of Douglas fir old-growth forest within the Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone.
Once settled in, the cohort started Tuesday morning with short boat trip to Meares Island, a Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park. On the island, they hiked the Big Tree Trail. The old-growth forest consists of spruce, hemlock, and western cedar trees that are more than 1,000 years old. The island is a key part of Tofino’s past, present and future, which students learned more about throughout the week.
Tofino’s international connection
In January 2000, with the support of local First Nations, communities, and the federal and provincial governments, Clayoquot Sound was designated as the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region (CSUBR).
Colin Robinson, a program coordinator with Clayoquot Biosphere Trust was the group’s first speaker of the week. Robinson spoke about CBT’s mission to assist the Biosphere Region community. He explained how it connects to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which students have studied throughout the program.
Understanding municipal politics
On day three, the cohort had a round table with Tofino’s Mayor, Dan Law. They discussed the ongoing challenges that the municipality faces as a resort town and being on a peninsula.
Mayor Law explained the impacts the cost of living, the lack of facilities and housing options, and climate change have on residents and the town’s tourism industry.
Learning from the region’s First Nations
Tla-o-qui-aht Natural Resources Manager, Saya Masso, delivered a powerful talk about the centuries of history of the land and peoples. He shared stories from his nation from as far back as the 1700s. The history lesson led to how the First Nations Tribal Park, Wanačas Hiłhuuʔis, was designated following the logging blockade on Meares Island in 1984. Now, all of Tofino’s drinking water comes from the island’s watersheds.
Saya Masso explained that “high tides should float all boats,” referencing how the nations do not benefit from the thriving tourism industry. This belief is why they have created a Tribal Park allies program in Tofino to help with the upkeep of the land. The optional fee for tourism businesses to charge acknowledges and supports the traditional land that they operate on.
Tyson Alteo was the next speaker to capture the cohort’s attention. Atleo, the Natural Climate Solutions Program Director for Nature United and a hereditary chief-in-line of the Ahousaht Nation spoke about advocating for his nation at different levels. He explained the risks that the land is still under without proper protection and the work they are doing to permanently protect it.
“We are looking to students and future generations to recognize and understand historical situations,” Atleo told MIF students. “We need you to go forward in your work, be critical and be active allies.”
Restoration in action
The final speaker of the trip was Ross Reid, a communications manager for Redd Fish Restoration Society and creator of Nerdy About Nature.
Reid led students through a site to see the work they are doing to restore the forest and salmon habitats. He spoke passionately, showing the differences between old growth, second growth and restoration growth within the forest.
Enjoying life on the island
The trip also provided students with an opportunity to further connect with their cohort. Each night, students cooked dinner in small groups for their classmates. After dinner, games of cards and pool brought out students’ competitive sides.
You can’t take a trip to the coast without seeing the famous beaches. With the sun shining, MIF students spent an entire afternoon at Chesterman Beach. During lowtide, they explored tide pools where they found starfish, anemones and more sealife. Some even braved the chilly water for a cold plunge before a high-stakes game of tag took over the beach.
Along the way back to the mainland, the program made two stops. The first was at Canoe Creek, where a short walk led them to a giant cedar tree. MIF students created a human chain to give it a hug before getting back on the road. Lunch was enjoyed at the famous Coomb’s Market. Unfortunately, the goats were not on the roof to greet the cohort.
A short drive from there led the group back to the ferry terminal. They headed back to Vancouver, where trip came to an end.
The Master of International Forestry program is an intensive, 10-month, course-based master’s program. It provides the knowledge, skills, and tools required to address the challenges of global forest and natural resources management.
