For this Co-op term, I have been working as a Discovery Ranger with Ontario Parks at Neys Provincial Park.
Working in Discovery means a lot of interaction with the public, and a lot of creative freedom! Much of my work is public facing, and requires me to know a lot of information about the park and its natural and cultural history. Before it was a provincial park, Neys was known as Camp 100, and was one of the 28 Prisoner of War camps across Canada. It also has roots in lumber operations, with the Pigeon River Timber Company harvesting in the area. There is also lots to know in terms of ecology, as Neys is in the boreal region, and has various interesting habitats, like its coastal dune ecosystem, arctic disjunct species, and fascinating fauna! It is important to be as knowledgeable as possible on as many subjects as you can explore, as it makes the job more interesting, and allows you to better interact with visitors and answer their questions.
For my work, I focus on everyday interpretation, interacting with people both in the visitor centre and out around the park through programs. Getting members of the public to think about the things they are curious about and help guide them to the answers they’re looking for is one of my main goals when interpreting and creating interpretive materials. One of my projects this term involves designing my own educational workshop about something of my choosing. To achieve this, I will create various information sheets and determine other materials and props that I’ll require, as well as design an interactive craft or activity that will help visitors fully engage with the topic! I also do interpretive writing for Neys’ social media, which is a great way to spark interest in various subjects while also informing the public about the flora, fauna, and activities around the park. There have also been many opportunities to participate in field surveys, including the OBMS butterfly survey.
This Co-op position has been a great opportunity to explore many different aspects of where conservation could lead; with lots of public communication, research and project development, field surveys, and opportunities to be curious. It is also very fun and comes with a lot of creative liberty!
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship would like to congratulate the following faculty member and graduate students on receiving Wall Research Awards:
Team Faculty Award:
Jonathan Davies – Professor, Botany and Forest & Conservation Sciences
Project Title: Sociovirology for sustainable management of grapevine leafroll disease Team Members: Dr. Asher Leeks (Lead PI), Dr. Jonathan Davies, Dr. Mark Paul Selda Rivarez, Dr. Chadi Saad-Roy
Grapevine leafroll disease poses a severe challenge for B.C.’s wine industry, affecting three-quarters of newly planted vines and reducing grape quality and yields. With no cure available, growers often remove infected vines, creating waste and increasing reliance on imported plants and chemical treatments. This research will use sociovirology – an emerging field that explores interactions between viruses – to develop more sustainable disease management strategies, including identifying plants that can safely remain in vineyards and using beneficial viruses to protect against disease. The project will advance environmentally friendly approaches to support a resilient B.C. wine industry.
Graduate Student Awards:
Nuala Caughie (MSc)
Miah Godek (PhD)
Sasha Rodriguez Velazquez (MSc)
About Wall Research Awards
Wall Research Awards (Faculty) are available annually to UBC faculty members through the Peter Wall Legacy Fund, an endowment established by Peter Wall, to support research excellence at UBC and invest in those who will help move BC and the world forward.
Wall Research Awards for tenured and track faculty members are available as individual and group awards.
Team awards of up to $200,000, awarded to a group of three to five faculty members over a maximum term of up to three years.
Individual awards of up to $80,000 over a maximum term of three years.
The Wall Research Awards focus on enabling good future work, rather than as rewards for past work, and are intended to support a range of scholars at different career stages. Projects supported by these awards may be exploratory or derived from established programs of inquiry.
Wall Research Awards (Master’s and PhD students)
Graduate awards (Master’s and PhD students) are available annually through the Peter Wall Legacy Fund, an endowment established by Peter Wall, for graduate students whose thesis/dissertation research relates to one of three specific areas of interest of the Wall Legacy Fund.
$30,000-$60,00 per year for PhD candidates for 1-2 years
$25,000 for Master’s students, for 1 year.
See the full list of 2026 Wall Legacy Award recipients, and read project details here.
Mithelacha Bill Davis with Mark MacLachlan, Dean of UBC Faculty of Science, Stečen Mike Baird, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance executive committee delegate and Rob Kozak, Dean of UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at the memorandum of collaboration signing event. Photo credit: Ally Penders, UBC FES.
The University of British Columbia and the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA) have signed a memorandum of collaboration to strengthen their partnership on fisheries conservation and research, resource management, and environmental stewardship in S’ólh Téméxw. The traditional and shared territory of the Stó:lō people spans the Fraser Valley and lower Fraser Canyon region of B.C.
The agreement formalizes a long-standing research relationship between the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship (FES), the Faculty of Science, the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) and the LFFA, a First Nations-led organization that advances the collective fisheries interests of 24 Lower Fraser First Nations. The partnership provides a framework for collaboration on a number of areas including strengthening work on long-term fisheries conservation including the health and sustainability of fisheries, aquatic resources and their habitats, with particular attention to the management of Fraser River fish. The agreement also reinforces a shared commitment to supporting First Nations governance and Indigenous rights, including respect for the laws, governance systems and jurisdictions of the LFFA’s Member Nations.
From left to right: Mark MacLachlan, Dean of UBC Faculty of Science;Kwilosinton Murray Ned, executive director of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance; Wichem, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance executive committee delegate; Stečen Mike Baird, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance executive committee delegate; Dr. Andrea Reid, Associate Professor, UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries; Rob Kozak, Dean of UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship; and Scott Hinch, Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. Photo credit: Ally Penders, UBC FES.
“Healthy fish and fisheries are fundamental to the cultural, social and environmental well-being of First Nations along the Fraser River,” said Murray Ned, executive director of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance. “This collaboration creates an opportunity to bring together Indigenous knowledge, community priorities and academic research in ways that can contribute to conservation and stewardship for generations to come.”
Stečen Mike Baird, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance executive committee delegate, signs the MOC. Photo credit: Ally Penders, UBC FES.
“This collaboration brings together UBC’s research and educational expertise and LFFA’s knowledge, capacity and relationships with its Member Nations,” said Dr. Rob Kozak, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at UBC. “By working together, we can support research and education programs that respond to community priorities, respect Indigenous governance and contribute to the long-term stewardship of Fraser River fisheries and aquatic resources.”
The collaboration will ensure activities are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and support initiatives that advance reconciliation. It also recognizes the longstanding relationships between First Nations, fish and fisheries of the Fraser River.
“Solving complex environmental challenges requires bringing together different forms of knowledge and expertise,” said Dr. Mark MacLachlan, Dean of the Faculty of Science at UBC. “This collaboration creates a foundation for UBC researchers and students to work with LFFA and its Member Nations on questions that matter to the health of Fraser River fisheries and the communities connected to them.”
The agreement identifies a range of potential areas for collaboration, including exploring shared research interests; organizing conferences, workshops and other knowledge-sharing opportunities; hosting co-op and internship students; and expanding capacity-building and educational opportunities for First Nations youth, Elders and community members in aquatic management and environmental stewardship. A key part of the collaboration will be sharing research, data and knowledge generated through these activities, helping ensure that information is accessible to LFFA and its Member Nations and can support their stewardship and governance priorities.
“Fisheries research is most impactful when it is connected to the people, places and knowledge systems that shape these ecosystems,” said Professor Clifford Atleo Jr., Tsimshian (Kitsumkalum/Kitselas) and Nuu-chah-nulth (Ahousaht) scholar and Senior Advisor and Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs at UBC. “Working collaboratively with LFFA under this framework provides an important opportunity to support research that is grounded in Indigenous priorities and contributes to the long-term conservation of fish and fisheries in S’ólh Téméxw.”
By establishing a shared framework for collaboration, UBC and LFFA aim to support stronger connections between research, education and Indigenous-led stewardship, while contributing to the conservation and effective governance of Fraser River fisheries and aquatic resources.
Mithelacha Bill Davis welcomes guests to the Shxwhay Village Cultural Building in Chilliwack, B.C. for the MOC signing between LFFA and UBC. Photo credit: Ally Penders, UBC FES.
Media contact: Charlotte Fisher Marketing & Media Relations Strategist Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship University of British Columbia charlotte.fisher@ubc.ca
Learn about the professional master’s programs offered at the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship
Advance your career and learn more about our UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s professional master’s programs! Whether you’re interested in geospatial technology and environmental decision-making (MGEM), leading greener and more resilient cities (MUFL), advancing sustainable forest stewardship (MSFM), or addressing global forestry challenges (MIF), our programs offer flexible, practice-oriented learning designed for working professionals. Gain specialized knowledge, develop leadership skills, and connect with a diverse network of experts and peers. With a focus on real-world application and sustainability, these programs prepare graduates to lead positive change in communities, organizations, and ecosystems locally and around the world. Hear from our advisors and get a chance to ask any questions to learn more.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact forestry.cbm@ubc.ca
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship wishes to congratulate Dr. Jörg Bohlmann on being awarded the Genome British Columbia Award for Scientific Excellence by Life Sciences British Columbia.
He studies plant specialized metabolism—especially terpenoids (terpene synthases, P450s) and phenolics—using genomic, proteomic, and biochemical methods, with two main goals:
Forest defense biology: Understanding how conifers use chemical defenses against insect pests and associated fungal pathogens, generating genomic resources, breeding markers, and policy-relevant knowledge to protect forest health (primarily in Canada, with government partners).
Bioprospecting for bioproducts: Using -omics approaches to discover genes/enzymes—including in non-model plant species—for engineering high-value natural compounds, in partnership with biotech industry.
About the Genome British Columbia Award for Scientific Excellence
This award honours an individual located in BC who has received significant national or international recognition in the field of genomics/omics including bioinformatics and systems biology.
Award Criteria
Scientific contribution to advancing the relevant fields of genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, or systems biology, including both the scientific task and how that task contributed to the resolution of the issue
Multiple successful and key efforts utilizing original techniques or research methods in the relevant fields
Monumental work or ground-breaking discovery or innovation
Commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary research
Three programs at the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship (FES) at The University of British Columbia have earned accreditation from the Society of American Foresters (SAF), strengthening pathways for students seeking professional forestry careers in Canada and the United States.
UBC offers the only undergraduate forestry programs in Canada with SAF accreditation – the leading professional organization for forestry professionals in the United States. Two majors in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree – Forest Operations and Forest Management – along with the Bachelor of Urban Forestry, join a select group of programs to be recognized by SAF. This gives graduates a significant advantage if they’re considering a forestry career on either side of the Canada-U.S. border. The programs have been certified to the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board (CFAB) standards for decades, giving them the superpower of being the only ones in the world with dual American and Canadian approval.
SAF accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process that verifies if degree programs meet professional standards for forestry education and prepares graduates for professional practice. SAF accreditation leads to the designation of Certified Forester (CF), which is mandatory in many states to legally practice forestry—a counterpart of Canada’s compulsory Registered Professional Forester (RPF) credential.
“In this globalized market, any measure to help our students broaden their horizons and gain a competitive advantage is crucial,” said Dr. Andres Varhola, Program Director of Forest Management and Forest Operations at UBC FES. “The SAF accreditation signals that our graduates have been trained to professional standards recognized across North America.”
Students who graduate from SAF-accredited programs have direct eligibility to take the Certified Forester (CF) or Certified Urban & Community Forester (CUCF) exam. SAF accreditation provides graduates with a decisive credential and elite skillset that is renowned no matter where they practice.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is Canada’s largest forestry faculty and is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, a region where students can study forest management and urban forestry within one of the world’s most exciting landscapes.
“American undergraduates aiming to return to the U.S. to practice forestry can combine the experience of living abroad in a multicultural and biodiverse region with a concrete pathway toward professional certification in their home country,” Dr. Varhola said.
The Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources is a four-year degree in which students complete a common first year before specializing in a major. The Forest Management major focuses on the biological, physical and social sciences of managing forest ecosystems with cutting-edge silviculture, while Forest Operations combines these foundations with specialized training in harvesting, transportation, engineering, and silviculture.
The Bachelor of Urban Forestry is a separate four-year undergraduate degree focused on the management of trees and green spaces in cities. Students explore topics including urban ecology, tree biology, planning for climate adaptation and sustainability, preparing them for careers managing urban forests and advancing the role of nature in healthy, resilient communities.
For U.S. students looking to study at UBC, find more information here.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship wishes to congratulate Dr. Feng Jiang and Dr. Julian Olden on their election to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Canada’s national academy recognizing outstanding scholars, scientists and artists for their contributions to research, scholarship and Canadian society.
The RSC will induct its Class of 2026 at its annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Ottawa this November.
About Feng’s Research
Dr. Jiang, Tier II Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Functional Biomaterials, has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. His world-leading research in cellulose conversion has driven innovations that offer alternatives to oil-based products, including packaging, textiles, building insulation and wearable electronics. His recent wood-waste foam packaging innovation, developed in partnership with the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, has been commercialized and received significant media attention.
About Julian’s Research
Dr. Olden, Forest and Conservation Sciences and the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada’s Academy of Science. A globally recognized freshwater ecologist and the newly appointed Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair, Dr. Olden has advanced sustainable freshwater management through innovative research in ecohydrology, invasion biology and macroecology. He will join UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship in summer 2027 to continue and build on his outstanding scholarship.
The Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapies (MINT), University of British Columbia (UBC), is a leading interdisciplinary research institute globally dedicated to evidence-based nature therapy, human health restoration, and interdisciplinary health science research.
MINT focuses on exploring the mechanisms of nature intervention on human psychological and physiological health, conducting rigorous empirical research to validate the clinical and public health value of nature therapies. To advance our ongoing core research projects in nature-based human health intervention, we are now recruiting a highly qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate with solid medical and health research backgrounds.
Position Description
We seek a PhD holder with a strong professional medical background to join the MINT research team at UBC. The successful candidate will independently conduct and support cutting-edge research focusing on human psychological and physiological health mechanisms under nature therapy intervention.
This position centers on biomedical and health science research for nature therapy, exploring the physical and mental health benefits, physiological indicators changes, psychological state improvement mechanisms of natural environment intervention on human bodies. The researcher will participate in full-cycle project design, data collection, empirical analysis, manuscript writing, and academic achievement output of MINT’s core nature therapy health research programs.
Key Responsibilities
Nature Therapy & Human Health Mechanism Research
Conduct in-depth interdisciplinary research on the effects of nature therapy on human physiological health (e.g., nervous system, cardiovascular indicators, endocrine changes, immune function) and psychological health (anxiety, depression, stress relief, emotional regulation, cognitive recovery). Explore the scientific pathological and physiological mechanisms of natural environmental intervention repairing human sub-health and chronic health problems.
Research Project Implementation
Independently design experimental protocols, clinical observation schemes and human health survey frameworks for nature therapy research. Responsible for participant health data collection, physiological index testing data sorting, psychological scale data analysis, and complete quantitative and qualitative empirical research.
Academic Output & Publication
Take charge of writing high-quality SCI/SSCI academic papers, research reports, and project research summaries related to nature therapy and human health. Assist the principal investigator in applying for provincial, national and international research grants, and sort out project research progress and achievement materials.
Team Research Collaboration
Cooperate with MINT’s interdisciplinary team (psychology, sociology, public health, forest ecology) to integrate medical health theories with nature therapy systems. Provide professional medical academic support for the institute’s public health research and industry transformation projects.
Research Standard Management
Ensure all human health-related research strictly complies with UBC ethical review standards and medical research specifications, standardize research data management, and guarantee the authenticity, accuracy and traceability of experimental and survey data.
Working Arrangement
Employment Type: Full-Time Postdoctoral Position
Affiliation: Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapies (MINT), Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of British Columbia
Work Location: UBC Vancouver Campus, On-site
Contract Term: Initial 1-year contract, renewable based on research performance and project progress
Anticipated start date is October 1, 2026.
Qualifications
Required
Educational Background (Mandatory)
Must hold a completed PhD Degree in Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Physiology, Human Health Science, Clinical Medicine, Public Health, or related biomedical disciplines.
Professional Background (Core Requirement)
Possess a solid and systematic medical professional foundation, proficient in human physiological structure, neurobiology, psychosomatic medicine, and human health pathogenesis. Have a clear understanding of the interaction mechanism between human physical and mental health.
Research Competency
Proven research experience in human psychological & physiological health research. Candidates with prior research experience, published papers or research projects related to nature therapy, green environment intervention, natural healing, ecological health are highly preferred.
Technical & Academic Skills
Proficient in health data statistical analysis, physiological experimental data processing, and psychological health empirical research methods. Familiar with academic paper writing and international biomedical research standards.
Language & Comprehensive Ability
Fluent in academic English writing and oral communication, capable of independently conducting international academic research. Strong logical thinking, independent scientific research ability, and team collaboration awareness. Self-motivated, rigorous in academic research, and able to complete research tasks on schedule.
Preferred
Published high-level academic papers in the fields of psychosomatic medicine, environmental health, or natural intervention therapy.
Experience in human clinical observation, health intervention experiments, and human subject research ethics application.
Cross-disciplinary research experience combining medicine, ecology and public health.
Familiar with international frontier theories and research progress of global nature therapy and forest therapy.
How to Apply for this Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position
Interested applicants should compile all documents into one single PDF file and submit their application via the UBC Careers website.
Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full education, research experience, publication list and project experience
PhD degree certificate or graduation certification
Representative academic publications (2–3 papers)
Personal research statement (max 2 pages) focusing on medical health research experience and understanding of nature therapy
At least two academic reference contacts
Open until the position is filled. UBC MINT will shortlist and interview qualified candidates on a rolling basis.
Expected salary range for this position is $60,000 to $80,000 CAD per year. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
Additional Information
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process, we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates). Accessibility requests or other accommodations are available on request for all applicants. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact the Faculty of Forestry Associate Dean Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Janette Bulkan (janette.bulkan@ubc.ca).
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Western Sandpipers feeding at the intertidal mudflats of Roberts Bankin B.C. Credit: Jason Puddifoot.
As sea levels rise, coastal wetlands around the world are expected to shrink – and researchers at the University of British Columbia have found this could put the world’s shorebirds and their critical habitat at risk.
The first global systematic review of its kind, published in Biodiversity and Conservation, examined the impacts of rising sea levels on 29 species of shorebirds, including plovers, sandpipers and oystercatchers. The review found rising seas are expected to have predominantly negative impacts on shorebird habitat and populations, while human infrastructure could make the problem worse by preventing coastal wetlands from moving inland.
“As sea levels rise, coastal wetlands need space to retreat, but many of the places where shorebirds depend on these habitats are already constrained by dykes, roads and other development,” said lead author Jennifer Magel, a PhD student at the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at UBC. “If we continue to develop our coastlines without considering where these wetlands can go, we risk losing important shorebird habitat.”
The researchers reviewed 37 studies that included data on the effects of sea level rise on shorebirds: 78 per cent found negative impacts on habitat, while 89 per cent found negative impacts on shorebird populations or individual birds.
Western Sandpipers in flight over Roberts Bank in the Fraser River Estuary during migration. Credit: Jason Puddifoot.
Giving wetlands room to move
The review highlights a conservation challenge known as coastal squeeze: as seas rise, wetlands need to move inland, but dykes, roads, buildings and other infrastructure block that retreat. In areas without human barriers, wetlands can migrate inland. But where coastal development or shoreline armouring blocks that movement, habitat can become trapped against a fixed shoreline.
“This is the crux of the issue,” said co-author Dr. Tara Martin, a professor in the Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences at UBC. “As we shore up our shorelines to protect human infrastructure, we’re decreasing the available habitat for all the animals that use this intertidal zone.”
More than just habitat loss
Possible impacts of future sea level rise (SLR) and resulting coastal squeeze on tidal flat and salt marsh habitats used by shorebirds.Credit: Emily Clark.
The review suggests the consequences for shorebirds may extend beyond simply losing habitat. In eight of nine studies that examined both habitat and population impacts, projected population impacts were more severe than would be expected from habitat loss alone.
Shorebirds may travel anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of kilometres during migration, stopping at tidal flats and other coastal habitats to rest and feed before continuing their journeys. In B.C., the Fraser River Estuary acts as a critical bottleneck where large numbers of birds converge in a relatively small area to replenish the energy they need to migrate along the Pacific Flyway.
Rising seas can reduce the amount of time tidal flats are exposed for feeding, while changes in sediment, salinity and water depth can alter prey availability. For nesting birds, higher water levels can also increase the risk of nest flooding.
“Shorebirds rely on these coastal habitats as places to rest and refuel during their migrations,” said Magel. “If one of these important stopover sites is affected, it can have consequences for an entire population of birds because so many of them rely on these bottleneck sites.”
Planning for rising seas
Although many studies examined impacts projected toward the end of the century, the researchers emphasize that coastal adaptation decisions need to be made now.
They urge planners to protect space inland of existing wetlands, remove or alter artificial barriers, enhance sediment supplies and, where appropriate, consider managed coastal retreat. The researchers point to the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project in the Fraser River Estuary as an example of testing how sediment can build wetland elevation to support coastal habitat.
“The earlier we act and take these nature-based coastal adaptation approaches, the more space we will have for these wetlands to move and the more habitat we’ll save for the future,” said Dr. Martin.
A flock of Western Sandpipers flying over Roberts Bank during their migration. Credit: Jason Puddifoot.
Interview languages: English (Magel, Martin)
Media contact: Charlotte Fisher Marketing & Media Relations Strategist Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship University of British Columbia charlotte.fisher@ubc.ca
Dr. Sarath Vega’s research focuses on wood protection, driven by the growing use of wood as a building material requiring resilience to weathering, decay, and fire. She takes a holistic view of wood as a material, studying its vulnerabilities to address them. Central to this is her work on wood-decay fungi, especially wood-pigmenting species, whose secondary metabolites inform sustainable, bio-based protection strategies. Her approach draws on industry R&D experience at LP Building Products, Roseburg Forest Products, and Hexion.
