Co-op Student – Climate Action Program; City of Victoria
For this Co-op term I have been working in the City of Victoria’s Climate Action Program. I have been working in various projects which include a business case for the cost of doing nothing about the climate crisis, gathering data on commercial and residential building energy consumption and related emissions, and extracting and summarizing data from a community engagement survey.
For this term one of my main goals is to hone my skills on data visualization; as such I have further improved my Excel skills and learned how to use Power BI. I have also had the amazing opportunity to witness a regional climate workshops and interact with the people that are at the forefront of climate policy in the Capital District. This was a very valuable experience since I had always been curious about how governments align their goals and actions to battle climate change and its impacts.
Getting to participate in unique experiences such as the Regional Climate Action Workshop was a true privilege, and one of the reasons that I would highly recommend other students to participate in co-op. This part of my work placement proved to me that Co-op signifies the chance to really immerse myself in the field that I am interested in but really understand how it works at a deeper level.
The best part of this term in particular was getting to see my team work on projects that have the potential to set a precedent at the National level and change the lives of Victoria’s residents. Not only did co-op give me the opportunity to work with these exceptional people but I was able to pick their brains to understand their motivations and passions for what they do which in confirmed that the kind of work that they do is something that I want to be involved with in the future.
There is a new public trail at the Alex Fraser Research Forest in Williams Lake! This was made possible thanks to a generous donation by the DRAX Foundation. They received $80,000 towards improving green spaces to create opportunities for research, education, and demonstration of sustainable forest management. In addition, United Concrete provided free gravel delivery and a local sawmill graciously donated a timber frame bench.
Swúw̓7a Martin Nelson looks over the Soo Valley, one of the important foodsheds in Líl̓wat territory that has been strongly impacted by recreationists and resource extraction
In the wake of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the territory of Líl̓wat First Nation has become a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and tourism operators. However, this surge in human activity, largely fueled by outdoor recreationists and backcountry thrill-seekers, has encroached upon the traditional hunting grounds, fishing areas, and traplines of Líl̓wat Nation.
According to a study by Líl̓wat and UBC Forestry researchers, this has contributed to what they identify as a form of ‘slow violence’— an erosive force on the territory which leads to negative impacts on the traditional foods and cultural practices of Líl̓wat Nation.
“Obviously, something’s not working,” says Martin Nelson (traditional name: Swúw̓a in the Líl̓wat language, Ucwalmícwts) a hunter with the Líl̓wat Nation. “I come from the land. The key is building relationships and preserving the living soul of the land. We’re still here, we’re still connected to the land.”
Tonya Smith, post-doctoral fellow at UBC Forestry discusses ways to combat this slow violence and develop co-management and governance strategies more in line with the Líl̓wat people’s customary relationship with their territory.
Tonya Smith
What was the objective of your research regarding Líl̓wat Nation’s food sovereignty, and what did you discover?
TS: Our primary aim was to comprehensively understand how activities influenced by Western approaches to land management impact Líl̓wat Nation’s intricate food systems. Through our research, we uncovered that not only are logging and hydropower generation responsible for significantly disrupting and displacing the Líl̓wat community’s traditional food practices, but that outdoor recreation also plays an increasingly growing role in this disruption. Recreation not only hinders access to essential cultural foods but also impacts the presence of these foods in the territory.
How do conflicting beliefs between Western conservation and Líl̓wat Nation’s views manifest in conservation practices?
TS: Western conservation strategies often prioritize quantifiable results and a ‘fines and fences’ approach to conservation, while Líl̓wat perspectives tend to put more emphasis on relational connections with the land and wise use based on pragmatic knowledge proven reliable through generations. This fundamental disparity often leads to conflicts between ways to approach meeting with shared objectives.
Harvesting food plants in June along the area of Líl̓wat known as the ‘banquet area’, which is abundant in delicious cultural foods. This area is highly impacted by recreation, and is adjacent to the popular Pipi7iekw Joffre Lakes Park
What implications do your findings have for policies and collaborations in conservation and land management?
TS: Our research underscores the crucial need to respect and honor the decisions of Líl̓wat Nation in land stewardship practices in their territory. Furthermore, it suggests that governmental institutions and policymakers should exhibit flexibility in adapting policies, renegotiating boundaries, and supporting Indigenous protocols. This approach is vital to protecting and enhancing Líl̓wat food sovereignty while maintaining stewardship objectives.
What strategies or approaches do you propose to bridge the gap between Western conservation practices and Indigenous perspectives in land management?
Looking towards the east, at a location used for hunting, berry gathering, tending to wild medicines and forestry by Líl̓wat Nation.
TS: We advocate for personal and institutional learning for those working in academic and governmental sectors to foster more nuanced and accurate understandings of Indigenous peoples’ histories, current realities and knowledge systems. It is important for decision-makers and researchers to first learn how Indigenous Nations want to be engaged with in decision-making about their territory. For Canadians to meet with their responsibilities to the Indigenous peoples on whose stolen lands we live, it is critical to look at how ‘recreating’ is not a neutral activity.
How might current policies or frameworks be adapted to better align with Líl̓wat Nation’s priorities in conserving their land and food sovereignty?
TS: Adaptation of policies involves shifting towards consent-based processes that empower and support Líl̓wat Nation in their decision-making concerning their territory. This requires that Indigenous Nations be meaningfully supported with the resources and time that it takes to make decisions following the processes and protocols of their people, who know best how to take care of their territory.
View of a historic volcano in Líl̓wat territory that blew its top, as recounted by Koskas as part of Líl̓wat oral histories. This area is an important place for traditional foods and medicines, and contains the locations of several hunting camps used by Líl̓wat hunters. It is also becoming an increasingly busy recreation area.
How can academia, policymakers, and local communities contribute to better conservation practices respecting Indigenous perspectives?
TS: Establishing meaningful relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities is pivotal. It involves continuous education, embracing humility, and actively supporting Indigenous leadership in land-related matters. To achieve this, academia and policymakers must prioritize learning about and respecting Indigenous peoples and their knowledges, follow culturally appropriate decision-making processes, and support the leadership of Indigenous voices in policy discussions.
Environmental Co-op student; Teck Coal Ltd; Sparwood, BC
This is my fifth and final co-op work term, and my third term with Teck Coal Ltd. I have been working as an Environmental Co-op as part of the Fish Team since January 2023. The Fish Team is responsible for fish habitat and population monitoring in and around Teck’s mine sites in the Elk Valley. So far, I’ve spent this term working in the field on a wide range of projects including angling surveys, barrier assessments, and stream temperature monitoring.
One of the main projects I’ve been working on is leading our team’s offsetting and recovery camera program. This project involves using wildlife cameras to qualitatively monitor offsetting and recovery habitat, drying and stranding areas, and overwintering conditions to support the recovery of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the Upper Fording River. I have also been leading this year’s survey and analysis of unanchored large woody debris in the Upper Fording River, which was placed to improve habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. The co-op program has been an invaluable experience where I’ve been able to learn more about my interests, future career options, and gain valuable skills and connections that I will take with me after I graduate.
I am a landscape ecologist with a focus on understanding how to manage human-dominated landscapes (like urban and agricultural ones) for people and nature. My research usually seeks to understand how the spatial patterns in these types of landscapes impact biodiversity, ecosystems, and the benefits that people receive from them (also known as ecosystem services). I work at a variety of spatial scales, from the plot level using ecological fieldwork approaches to national scales where I use remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) methods.
I was born in Williams Lake, British Columbia, the traditional territory of the Secwepemc Nation, but spent most of my formative years just outside Victoria, BC, on the traditional territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish peoples. During my university degrees and professional work I’ve had the privilege to live across Canada and in Australia. I’m also not new to UBC, previously completing a Postdoctoral Research Position at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and then a Research Associate Position in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
What drew you to your work?
After I completed my M.Sc. degree I worked for a few years in environmental consulting in Alberta, completing environmental impact assessments for oil sands developments. Seeing how these studies incompletely valued ecosystems and biodiversity, and the negative effects that this had on the environment, created a strong desire to use science to improve our management of natural systems. My parents also had an influence and are likely why I ended up in ecology – my mom is a botanical watercolour painter and my dad worked in land use planning and protected areas in BC for the provincial government for over 30 years. Finally, I really love maps which led me towards landscape ecology!
What do you hope to achieve through your work here at UBC?
Society is facing large, complex, and urgent problems around climate change and biodiversity loss, which are often linked to how we manage landscapes. Through my work at UBC I hope to provide actionable knowledge that will be actively used by policy- and decision-makers to better confront these issues in BC, Canada, and internationally. I’m also excited about teaching students and playing a part in their development as future leaders who will tackle and help solve these issues.
What attracted you to UBC and UBC Forestry?
My work, while based in the natural sciences, is inherently interdisciplinary. I was drawn to the interdisciplinary expertise that UBC Forestry currently has and the emphasis that the Faculty is putting on interdisciplinary scholarship as the problems we face can only be solved through collaboration and the incorporation of diverse perspectives. I believe that UBC Forestry and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (which I am cross-appointed with) are ideal places to do this type of work. Additionally, UBC Forestry’s strong international focus is something that I’m hoping to take advantage of in order to develop new international collaborations.
What are you most looking forward to in the Faculty of Forestry?
The reality of an academic career often means relatively short-term positions and having to move between cities, institutions, or even departments. I am really looking forward to building deeper connections with colleagues in the Faculty of Forestry; local and regional stakeholders and rightsholders; as well as with local ecosystems, forests, and landscapes.
UBC Forestry’s new “Notes from the Field” series highlights the work of different community forests in collaboration with the British Columbia Community Forests Association.
If your community forest wishes to be featured in this publication series, please contact Deborah DeLong at deborah.delong@ubc.ca
Biological Science Technician; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
In my work with the US Geological Survey, I have been working on an experiment exploring seed dormancy cycling in desert plants. This study aims to explore intra-specific variation of this trait within the Mojave desert, and the potential impacts of climate change on seed dormancy cycling. Dormancy is critical to seeds surviving extreme summer temperatures and long periods of drought, and to ensuring that plants germinate at times when conditions are most favourable to survival. This trait, while critical to the survival of entire desert ecosystems, has previously been vastly understudied.
I am excited to have been part of a project that is so critical to the future of desert restoration. This was my final work term before graduation and finishing my degree with work experience in the field I want to pursue following graduation has definitely expanded my post-grad options.
Hendri Deetlefs graduated from the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) program in 2023. He is currently working for the City of Toronto as an Urban Forestry Planner.
What drew you to pursue the MUFL program at UBC Forestry, and how has it impacted your career?
I have looked for programs focusing on urban forestry in the past, but none were available. Generally, they were all focused on forestry. My work is in a dense urban setting; cities and how forestry is handled have moved away from conventional forestry methods. Urban Forestry is a multi-disciplinary practice that includes many fields. This program offered by UBC has addressed the many aspects of Urban Forestry, how it has evolved, and how to move it in the right direction.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience during your time in the program that significantly shaped your approach to urban forestry and leadership?
The immense support from Sara and Amy pushing us to become better at communicating and sharpening our skills to become leaders throughout the first semester right up until presenting our Capstones has been amazing. This program is meant to be for professionals, and the standards reflect just that.
How do you believe urban forestry initiatives contribute to addressing contemporary environmental challenges, and what role do you see alumni from this program playing in such efforts?
Understanding the importance of having trees in cities and why they are implemented in a way to mitigate UHI and used as stormwater mitigation. The value of finding the balance between development and green infrastructure. Understanding trees and how they impact the surrounding community and environment. Understanding how different governance can impact urban forests and stakeholder involvement.
In your opinion, what are some of the most pressing issues facing urban forestry today, and how can professionals in this field navigate and address these challenges?
The lack of support for urban forests and trees has been an ongoing issue, but for professionals in the field to have a voice at the decision-making table gives a chance for the knowledge and benefits to be shared across disciplines. If a decision-making body understood that trees could be utilized in all the many benefiting ways that the MUFL program teaches, perhaps more would utilize them in the design.
Could you highlight a post-graduation project or initiative that reflects the skills and knowledge gained from the MUFL program?
I have been in the Urban Forestry industry for over 17 years; the MUFL program has given me the support and confidence to speak my ideas of the importance of early preservation due to tree tolerance and tree incorporation into the design of developments. Hopefully, when I publish my capstone paper, it will assist the current standards and policy development.
What advice would you offer to current students or individuals considering pursuing a similar path in urban forestry and leadership?
However much effort you put into this program is what you will receive back. If you want to make a difference, this program will give you the tools to do so. Hard work and effort pay off.
Are you looking to gain forestry work experience and would love to participate in a variety of different field tasks? The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS) is looking for TWO UBC STUDENTS to join our team for the 2024 summer.
Where: Barriere, BC
Students will be responsible for finding their own accommodation although we have been successful in providing assistance with locating rental accommodations in the past. Living in Barriere will be easiest for commuting however students can choose to live in Kamloops or Clearwater.
Please see the job posting attached, and apply by January 31st.
