On June 3rd, 2022, the day after graduating with a BSc in Forestry from UBC, I packed my car and made the move to Lillooet, BC, where I began my role as an Environmental Technician with St’át’imc Government Services (SGS). In this position, I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people and contribute to a variety of impactful projects for the Nation. From using eDNA to conduct presence/absence studies on white sturgeon in Seton and Anderson watersheds, engaging in wildfire recovery efforts throughout the Northern St’át’imc territory, and monitoring bighorn sheep and elk in both northern and southern communities. The diversity of projects I’ve been involved in has provided me with invaluable experience and insights.
It was during my time at SGS that I met Dr. Jennifer Grenz, who ultimately led me to pursue my MSc in the Indigenous Ecology Lab, within the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, in September 2023. Although returning to graduate school so soon wasn’t part of my original plan, the connections and relationships I built during my first year in Lillooet deepened my commitment to serving these communities. Both Dr. Grenz’s and SGS’ support in allowing me to continue to live in Lillooet and pursue graduate studies while working within St’at’imc has been instrumental in my decision to embark on this path.
My research focuses on centering St’át’imc worldview, knowledges, values, and needs to inform the stewardship of mule deer and their habitats in the aftermath of wildfires, while also addressing the sustenance needs of St’át’imc. My data collection so far has involved meaningful conversations with community hunters, land guardians, elders, and knowledge keepers, shared during time spent on the land, along with pick-up truck rides, laughter, and good food. I’ve also received an award from the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Indigenous and Community Engagement Research Fund (ICERF) to help fund and host community workshops and dinners where youth and elders have been brought together to share stories and pass on knowledge within communities over food in community settings.
Every day, I feel deeply grateful to live, work, and study in St’át’imc territory, and I hope my graduate studies can give back even a fraction of what the St’át’imc Nation has generously shared with me.
“When I first came to UBC, I began my journey in the School of Kinesiology where I had aspirations for a career in Physical Therapy or medical school. Coming from a background of science in high school and a large involvement in sports, I felt a great pressure from peers to pursue this path as they too were hoping to achieve this, and I got caught up in other people’s goals instead of my own.
My passion for helping others truly informed my decision to study Kinesiology, but my idea of how we could “help others” was limited by a narrow perspective of what health is. It wasn’t until I took an elective course at UBC, Climate Change and Health, that I realized core aspects to the determinants of human health begin from one’s environment. Whether that is access to clean water, sufficient food sources, or breathing unpolluted air, it goes without saying that human health is planetary health. After this realization, I found it difficult to imagine myself doing anything else and is when I began to research other programs at UBC that would align more with my interests.
Landing on the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and being able to meet with the program directors, I was immediately pulled in by the central values and goals of the faculty, as there is an understanding that if we want to help our planet, it begins by uniting students together in the classroom. The range of experiences and skills gained within the classroom are truly unique and are filled with passionate instructors and like-minded students. The list of what is possible through the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is endless, and means that there is something for everyone in this community.
My experience with UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has been extremely positive. The sense of community created is felt immediately and greatly encouraged me to put myself out there, say hi to the person next to me, and get involved in the diverse opportunities offered within the program. In addition to a great and supportive services team, I always feel like someone has my back, whether that’s a professor or a friend”
When: Tuesday, November 5 | 6pm Where: Della Herman Theatre | Smithers, BC Tickets: Tickets by donation are available at Mills Stationary in Smithers
Join bestselling writer John Vaillant for a talk about our changing climate and the new realities of wildfire.
Author of Fire Weather, The Golden Spruce, The Tiger and more, Vaillant is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and one of Canada’s most acclaimed journalists. The presentation will be followed by a panel including Smithers-based fire ecologist Dr. Kira Hoffman, a National Geographic Explorer, Trebek Initiative grantee and researcher with the BVRC and the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at UBC, as well as Elder Darlene Vegh, an Indigenous scientist and fire practitioner from Wilp Wii Litsxw, Gitanyow Nation. Dr. Lori Daniels, Koerner Chair of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at UBC, will be moderating the event.
Presented by UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and the Bulkley Valley Research Centre.
Our Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) team invites you to an exclusive online info session to learn more about how this industry-aligned program offers an opportunity to elevate your career. Learn about course curriculum, program details and how to submit a strong application for our next cohort.
MSFM is a 9-month master’s program that prepares students for careers as professional forest land managers in North America and overseas, emphasizing the foundations of land management, land information acquisition and analysis, site-level management and sustainable land management.
Helene Marcoux
Hélène Marcoux is the manager of Malcolm Knapp Research forest and 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. Nicholas Coops
Dr. Coops is the head of the Department of Forest Resources Management. His main research focus is the use of remote sensing technology to assess forest resources, both for conservation and production applications. Dr. Coops 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. Ken Byrne
Dr. Byrne, MSFM program coordinator, 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.
Exciting news – UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s Master of Urban Forestry Leadership program will be offered both online and in-person starting in 2025! Please see the website, and join our info session for more details.
This session is a great opportunity learn about program requirements, eligibility, admissions and submitting a strong application for our professional master’s programs.
With a focus in key areas such as urban forestry, strategic management and decision-making, this interdisciplinary professional master’s degree will give you the skills to take your career in new directions.
Dr. Sara Barron
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.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’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
Our event at COP29, titled “Advancing the Quality and Integrity of Forestry Climate NbS: Challenges, Innovations, and Strategies,” will focus on enhancing forest-based nature-based solutions (NbS) as essential tools for tackling global climate change. Our session will explore a broad spectrum of forestry NbS, beginning with holistic forestry solutions for biodiversity, climate resilience, and socio-economic well-being and then narrowing in on the role of bamboo as an NbS for carbon markets. The overarching aim is to examine challenges such as ensuring carbon market integrity, biodiversity co-benefits, and community involvement, as well as showcasing innovative strategies for scaling and financing robust forest NbS. We will bring together a range of experts—from the University of British Columbia (UBC) to partners like the American Forest Foundation (AFF), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Balance Eco, Université Laval, and ZAFU—and provide an in-depth look at forestry NbS within the framework of the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
What inspired the theme for this event?
Chunyu at COP28 last year
The theme is inspired by the critical need for NbS to be credible, effective, and inclusive. Forests offer remarkable potential for climate resilience, carbon sequestration, biodiversity preservation, and livelihood support. However, to harness these benefits, NbS projects must be well-managed, accountable, and supported by rigorous standards and transparent financing mechanisms. By focusing on “quality and integrity,” we’re addressing some of the main obstacles in implementing NbS effectively at scale—issues such as methodological rigor in carbon accounting, socio-economic inclusivity, and market-driven finance. This theme reflects our dedication to advancing forestry NbS to deliver on climate goals and support resilient, sustainable communities.
What role do forests play in terms of nature-based strategies for climate change? What are the challenges?
Forests are foundational to climate change strategies, as they naturally sequester carbon, support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and contribute to local economies. Our event will delve into these roles, showcasing how forestry-based NbS can simultaneously address climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic goals. However, several challenges remain. Carbon market integrity is a key issue—how can we ensure that forest carbon projects are credible and truly impactful? Furthermore, ensuring these projects provide measurable biodiversity co-benefits and support local communities requires strong, inclusive frameworks. Financing is another critical challenge; without reliable funding from mechanisms like Article 6 and the New Collective Quantified Goal, scaling NbS becomes difficult. By fostering collaboration and addressing these obstacles head-on, we hope to contribute to the implementation of forestry NbS as an essential climate solution.
How does your work at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship align with this event and what are your expectations for the conference?
Panel from COP28 in Dubai
My research at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship focuses on using bamboo as a nature-based solution (NbS) for climate change mitigation, alongside examining challenges and strategies in forest carbon offset projects. This aligns closely with the themes of our COP29 side event, where we’ll explore innovative NbS in forestry and address key challenges in carbon market integrity, biodiversity co-benefits, and local economic impacts. For COP29 as a whole, I’m particularly interested in learning how international stakeholders are advancing Article 6 implementation to standardize and scale carbon markets, as well as how the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is progressing in climate finance. I hope to gain insights into global best practices and explore potential collaborations that can further enhance the credibility and impact of forest-based NbS.
What do you hope attendees will take away from your event?
We hope attendees will come away with a comprehensive understanding of how forest-based NbS can be scaled to address climate change effectively and equitably. From our first session, we hope they gain insight into the importance of holistic forestry approaches that integrate biodiversity, community well-being, and climate action. In the second session, we want to illuminate the potential of bamboo as a carbon sink and a contributor to sustainable livelihoods. We want attendees to appreciate the importance of maintaining quality and integrity in NbS projects and recognize the critical role that robust financing, transparent methodologies, and community collaboration play in achieving these goals.
We’re honored to represent UBC and our partners at COP29 and to contribute to the dialogue on nature-based solutions for climate action. We’re excited to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and are optimistic about the pathways this event will open for future partnerships, research, and impactful climate action.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Register today for our Master of International Forestry (MIF) online information session. Learn more about program details and how to prepare a strong application in our exclusive online presentation and question-and-answer session.
MIF is a 12-month, course-based master’s program that provides the knowledge, skills, and tools required to address the social, environmental, and economic challenges of global forest and natural resources management.
The program also offers a 4 month placement or guided study working directly with partner organizations upon completion of the program. Previous placements include working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) and the Asia-Pacific Network For Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Terry Sunderland
Dr. Sunderland is currently a Professor at the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of British Columbia, Canada 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.
Dr. Peter Wood
Dr. Wood has worked in the field of international forest policy, human rights and sustainability for over two decades in a variety of roles, including with non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. He has served on various international expert bodies, such as the Global Expert Panel on International Forest Governance (IUFRO), and has been involved in the development of multilateral agreements on climate change and biodiversity. He completed his PhD in Forestry at the University of Toronto.
Dana-Lyn Mackenziejoins the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship as Senior Manager for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity. This is a shared position with the Faculties of Applied Science and Land and Food Systems, where Dana-Lyn has already served in this role for several years.
Dana-Lyn (born Wilson) is a member of the Hwlitsum First Nation, based in Canoe Pass, BC, and a lawyer. Dana-Lyn is an elected councillor of her Coast Salish nation, serving since 2021. She is a double alumna of UBC, having obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees.
Dana-Lyn is expected to a play key part in helping to set the strategic direction of the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship in implementing the Indigenous Strategic Plan across our research, educational, and community engagement programs.
I’m a mom, lawyer, partner, and daughter. I grew up in Steveston, BC and feel deeply connected to the land south of the Fraser where my family fished since time immemorial.
What inspired you to pursue your current work, particularly in the areas of law, Indigenous advocacy, and education?
My daughters inspired me. I wanted to be a role model for them, and show them what they could do with their lives. I went to law school when they were five and two, and they are the reason for everything I do.
Through your work at UBC, what are the key goals you hope to achieve, particularly in supporting Indigenous communities and advancing equity?
I have been a part of the UBC community since I was a child, and my mom went to school and took us to her classes. Later we lived in student housing when my parents separated. Over the years, I have seen many changes here at UBC and moving the dial on how the university responds to calls for reconciliation has been a long-standing passion of mine.
I want everyone who attends, works and lives here to know the history and understand whose land we are on when we are here, and understand why that is important. I want engagement with the Indigenous Strategic Plan to be meaningful and genuine.
What initially attracted you to UBC, and what excites you about the opportunities within the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
UBC is a place I love. I did both my degrees here, and have worked here in different roles on and off since 2012. UBC can be the most progressive, advanced place and the opportunity to do meaningful work here is tremendous. The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is an exciting place to be with the new Bachelor’s of Indigenous Land Stewardship beginning, and existing programs such as the Haida Gwaii Institute among others being a draw.
How will you use your experience in other faculties in your work with UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
I have worked across several faculties and can bring a lot of institutional knowledge to Forestry.
I lead institutional events such as the Intergenerational March for Orange Shirt Day on September 30th each year, and bringing Forestry into this work benefits everyone.
As you begin your work within the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, what are you most excited about, and what do you hope to accomplish?
I am very excited about learning where everyone is at in relation to the ISP and what actions we can take together to work towards reconciliation. I am excited to get to know a new group of people and I hope that I can be in a position to assist where needed, and help showcase some exciting initiatives – such as the IDEAL certificate – to a new audience in Forestry.
