Congratulations to the 2024-2025 recipients of the UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Indigenous and Community Engagement Research Fund (ICERF) for their outstanding contributions in the Collaborative Research with Indigenous Communities stream.
Taz Gharajehdaghpour | PhD, FRM – Supervisor: Cole Burton Josefina Cortés | PhD, FRM – Supervisor: Lorien Nesbitt Morris Prosser | MSc, FRM – Supervisor: William Nikolakis Gabriel Schepens | PhD, FRM – Supervisor: William Nikolakis Sarah Sra – MSc, FCS – Supervisor: Terry Sunderland
About ICERF
ICERF provides funding for graduate students to build new partnerships with Indigenous communities and community organizations, and fulfill responsibilities relating to community-defined outcomes for existing partnerships and projects.
This event is free and will be held in person only.
Seminar Abstract
This seminar delves into the pressing need for equity in urban greening across Canada and around the world, moving beyond traditional metrics like the Tree Equity Score to address systemic challenges and empower communities. While metrics are valuable for identifying disparities in canopy cover and vulnerability to climate change, they must be complemented by deeper engagement with local contexts and lived experiences.
The Urban Natures Lab, led by Lorien Nesbitt, is currently focused on understanding and enhancing recognitional justice in urban greening, valuing the diverse experiences and contributions of under-resourced and vulnerable communities. This seminar showcases the results of participatory methods, such as photovoice and walking interviews, that amplify underrepresented voices and foster the co-creation of equitable solutions for green, healthy cities. By building networks of care through community engagement, co-creative workshops, and grassroots collaboration, the research bridges policy and practice to align urban greening with broader social and ecological needs. The presentation calls for reimagining urban forests as spaces of care, resilience, and justice, centering humility, inclusivity, and co-learning.
Speaker
Dr. Lorien Nesbitt is an Assistant Professor of Urban Forestry and Environmental Justice in the Department of Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia. An internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Nesbitt has collaborated with communities and organizations across the globe to co-create more livable, sustainable, and equitable cities. At UBC, Dr. Nesbitt leads the Urban Natures Lab, which focuses on advancing environmental justice through urban greening and planning. The lab’s research addresses key topics such as green gentrification, recognition justice in urban forest stewardship, and supporting planetary health in the face of the climate crisis. Their work is highly collaborative, regularly partnering with cities, regional governments, and community-based organizations to co-create impactful, transdisciplinary research.
Dr. Nesbitt has a strong record of scholarly leadership. She currently co-leads the HEAL Research Excellence Cluster at UBC and is a core member of the UBC Centre for Climate Justice. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the ECCC initiative to build a Pan-Canadian, Interdisciplinary Urban Research Network and on the editorial boards of Urban Forestry & Urban Greening and Frontiers in Sustainable Cities.
Dillon Consulting Limited is looking for qualified post-secondary students to assist in the delivery of the 2025 City of Surrey Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP). Please find attached job postings for the three available Team Leader positions including:
· Watershed Enhancement Team Leader (six positions);
· Community Education Team Leader (one position); and
· Media and Public Relations Team Leader (one position).
We have 4-month (May to August) and 7-month (May to November) interim positions available for our 2025 season.
Experienced and interested individuals are invited to submit a cover letter and resume as one file to sharpapplications@gmail.com by Monday February 10, 2025 at 11:59pm PST. Applicants for the Media and Public Relations Team Leader position are encouraged to attach examples of relevant media creations.
Join us for a fun evening with urban forestry profs, students, and professionals. Meet with the key BUF partners, learn about job opportunities, and meet new friends! Food and drink will be provided.
UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship accelerated Professional Master’s degrees offer the opportunity to deepen your technical skills, hone your leadership abilities and expand your professional networks.
Led by world-renowned faculty members and experienced industry professionals, our programs are developed to give students the core foundation in rapidly developing fields – such as climate adaptation, forest carbon management and geomatics – to advance in their careers.
Join us on January 16, and learn directly from program directors, coordinators and advising staff in our exclusive panel discussion, and find out which program is right for you.
Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management
Over 9-months, the Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM) provides essential training in the use and application of geospatial tools used to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources.
Dr. Coops is one of the MGEM faculty mentors and teaches introductory and advanced remote sensing courses. His focus is the use of remote sensing technology to assess forest resources, both for conservation and production applications. He is specifically interested in advanced forest inventory techniques using high spatial resolution optical remote sensing imagery and LIDAR, use of remote sensing for the ecosystem and carbon accumulation modelling for biodiversity, production and greenhouse calculations, and detection of damaging agents in forests using spectral forest condition mapping.
Dr. Coupland is the MGEM program coordinator. She plays a key role in the MGEM community, coordinating the program’s daily activities and supporting students and faculty. Connected to UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship since 2014 as a graduate of the Master of Sustainable Forest Management program, her research focuses on developing novel forest classification schemes, emphasizing non-timber values. Notably, she has quantified educational values in urban forests at UBC through innovative methods, including a LiDAR canopy analysis of every tree on campus.
Master of International Forestry
The Master of International Forestry (MIF) is an intensive, 12-month program based on a mix of experiential learning and coursework that prepares students to explore, negotiate, and implement solutions to the complex challenges facing the world’s forests, and the people that depend upon them.
Dr. Sunderland is a professor in the department of Forest and Conservation Sciences focusing on the biological and human dimensions of the sustainable management and utilization of tropical forests. He was previously a Senior/Principal Scientist at the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesia, where he coordinated CIFOR’s work on forests and food security, biodiversity conservation, and integrated landscape management.
Master of Sustainable Forest Management
Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) is a a comprehensive 9-month program designed to prepare students for careers in professional forest land management. The program is suited for individuals who are naturally curious, enjoy outdoor work, and have a strong passion for environmental stewardship. It’s designed for those interested in pursuing careers as professional forest land managers in North America and beyond.
Hélène is the MSFM Co-Director and manager of Malcolm Knapp Research forest. She is a dedicated lifelong learner with over 20 years of experience as an ecologist, Registered Professional Forester (RPF), and post-secondary instructor. Originally from Manitoba, she began her forestry career as a tree planter in BC, later earning a Master’s in Forest Sciences from UBC. Before joining the UBC Research Forest, she taught for 7 years at BCIT. Hélène is passionate about silviculture, forest health, plant identification, and community-based forestry, and loves getting people outdoors to explore nature.
Dr. Byrne is the MSFM program coordinator. He is a professional forester with a background in natural disturbance modelling and extensive practice working with practitioners to implement research – specifically in the fields of harvesting and silviculture system modelling, adapting to the impacts of climate change and leveraging technologies in the forest sector. He enjoys sharing these passions and embraces continuous improvement teaching for the benefit of students beginning their careers in forestry.
Master of Urban Forestry Leadership
The Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) is a comprehensive program offering an interdisciplinary perspective on urban forestry, with a focus on strategic management, decision-making, and creativity. Students can choose a 13-month full-time program on UBC’s Point Grey campus or a 25-month part-time online program, accessible globally for those who wish to study while working.
As the program director for the MUFL program, Dr. Barron brings an expansive background in working with interdisciplinary teams to explore the various aspects of urban green space contributions to climate adaptation and human well-being. She is a member of the Green Infrastructure Research Group at the University of Melbourne and the Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning at UBC.
Environment and Carbon Management Co-op Student – FortisBC
This summer I have been working on FortisBC’s carbon management and environment team. My main responsibility has been researching how they could use nature-based carbon offsets to reduce their overall emissions, but I also assist in writing grant applications to the BC government, and surveying gas plants for leaks. I have gained extensive knowledge into FortisBC’s role in the clean-energy transition and how the global carbon offset market operates.
It has been interesting for me to see how the B.C. government and big corporations use purchased carbon credits to reach their goals of being carbon neutral, and how different projects have been more successful in generating carbon offsets than others.
This is my third co-op term, and I will be returning to FortisBC for my fourth. Being in co-op has been a highly valuable experience for me as I have been able to gain experience in a variety of industries where my degree could be applicable. I would highly recommend that any forestry student join co-op, but specifically those who are unsure about what they could do with their degree post grad, as the program exposes you to so many potential opportunities.
This summer, I had the privilege of interning with Metsähallitus in Finland, which offered an amazing opportunity to gain experience in forestry and reconnect with the country after 12 years away.
Returning to Finland was both a personal and professional highlight. This experience allowed me to reconnect with the culture, learn about forestry in Finland and experience the warmth of the sauna.
Picture of a typical Finnish landscape taken in Kuhmo, Finland. Credit: Benedict Roser
One of the most insightful aspects of the internship was learning about the differences in forestry practices between Finland and British Columbia. The level of efficiency and precision in Finnish forestry was impressive, especially in their approaches to silviculture. Observing how Finland implements sustainable practices in a way that balances ecological integrity with productivity has given me a new perspective on the possibilities within forest management.
Igniting the fires with a fire starter in a 20 hectare block near Suomussalmi, Finland. Credit: Eero Väänänen
Unique Experiences
A standout experience from the summer was participating in a prescribed burn, which was an invaluable introduction to fire ecology. Seeing firsthand the positive effects that controlled burns have on soil health and biodiversity helped me realize the positive effects fire can have in forest management. Additionally, there was a fun sense of camaraderie during the burn. Cooking makkara and drinking coffee with the entire crew will be a memory I will never forget.
A picture taken during the prescribed burn near Suomussalmi, Finland. Credit: Benedict RoserRoasting a makkara with the Metsähallitus crew by the fire. Credit: Eero Väänänen
Operating a single-grip harvester was another unforgettable experience. It was impressive to see its efficiency and how it minimizes soil impact. Observing the thought process behind its use and how it can be effectively paired with a forwarder was amazing to see. Watching it in action was both insightful and incredibly fun.
Sitting in a Ponsse Single Grip Harvester in Rovaniemi, Finland. I had the chance to operate and cut down a few trees, which was amazing! Credit: Juho Hiltunen
Silviculture in Finland
Another key aspect of the internship was gaining practical experience with Finnish silvicultural methods. I spent time in the field planning and observing various stages of forest management—from thinning and clear-cuts to the specialized soil treatments used to support forest regeneration. This hands-on experience allowed me to better understand how forestry strategies are applied to address both productivity and sustainability.
Throughout the internship, I had the chance to meet with numerous forestry specialists, each offering valuable perspectives on forest management. Everyone I encountered was incredibly kind and eager to help me learn.
Taking DBH and height measurements using a vertex and electronic DBH caliber with Viivi for research on continuous cover forestry. Credit: Laura Kammonen
A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Metsähallitus for making this internship possible and for creating such a memorable summer. Your support and dedication have left a lasting impact, both personally and professionally.
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 director of the Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship 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.
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.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our admissions team:
Dr. Sima Fakheran is Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at Isfahan University of Technology, Iran and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada.
Dr. Fakheran is President of IALE–Iran (International Association for Landscape Ecology-Iranian Chapter) and Member of Academy of Sciences of Iran (IAS).
She did her Ph.D. at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and Previously, held the position of Head of the Swiss desk (Leading House for Iran–Switzerland Science and Technology Collaboration) & Director of International Affairs of Isfahan University of Technology, Iran.
She also held the position of Vice President of International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE) as the first women selected as VP from the Middle East. .
