I have been working as an Operations Assistant at a commodities lumber trading company called Olympic Industries. I primarily oversaw all incoming payments to the company, matched them up to invoices and tracked when payments were due.
Over the course of four months I singlehandedly oversaw payment totaling a low nine figures. It has been incredible working in an office of a lumber trading company and learning not just about office culture but more about the lucrative lumber industry and the different careers I can work in Forestry.
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Forest Sciences Centre – FSC 1001 Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | 1 – 2 PM | Forest Sciences Centre – FSC 1611
These sessions will cover everything you need to know about the Co-op program, including:
How to apply
Academic and technical requirements
Benefits of participating in Co-op
Whether you’re just starting your degree or are already on your way, this info session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to make the most out of your Co-op experience.
Walk-ins Welcome! *registration not necessary
Co-op Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 1, 2024, by 4pm
Hear from one of Haida Gwaii Institute’s local instructors as well as a program alum who will share their experiences about learning at HGI. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have.
Please note that this session will be recorded and shared on the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and Haida Gwaii Institute websites.
About Haida Gwaii Semesters
These semesters are intensive, 13 week programs designed for senior undergraduate students from a wide range of universities and disciplines. Each semester provides a full course load, including four courses that run in successive blocks over three weeks, and a fifth weekly seminar that runs throughout the entire program. In addition to in-class lectures and course work, students will also explore the incredible natural environments of Haida Gwaii, meet with local experts and knowledge holders, and become immersed in the Haida Gwaii community.
About the Haida Gwaii Semester in Community Resilience
This program is for students with interdisciplinary backgrounds who have completed two years of undergrad. It explores resilience theory, combining Indigenous and Western knowledge to study the relationship between people, place, and environment. Courses apply resilience concepts to cross-cultural community settings, using case studies like Haida Gwaii.
Semester runs from January to April on Haida Gwaii
Photos and write-up by Ken Byrne, MSFM Lecturer and Program Coordinator.
Hanno Southam (MSc Candidate with Richard Hamelin) describes symptoms of root disease at UBC Farm.
The Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program began like a shot out of a cannon with the arrival of the new 2024/25 cohort in Vancouver on August 19. The first week covered a range of topics in forest health, silvics, soils and forest hydrology among others.
Dr. Allan Carroll speaks to MSFM students about defoliators and wood borers at UBC Farm.
The class also viewed tree removal treatments of hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa (Hulst)) impacted stands in Stanley Park with project managers Bruce Blackwell and Jeff Fisher (BA Blackwell & Associates) and Joe McLeod (Associate Director Urban Forestry / City of Vancouver).
Right to left: Joe McLeod, Bruce Blackwell, Jeff Fisher and 2024/25 MSFM class in Stanley Park.Customary MSFM Class photo in front of the (engineered) hollow tree in Stanley Park.
The class then travelled to Nelson, BC on Sunday, August 25 for a week-long field trip to study soils, ecosystems, Indigenous values and perspectives, community forest and woodlot management, forest operations, mills and value-added forest products. Many thanks to all the passionate forest professionals who enriched this unique learning experience.
Monday morning began with introductions to the Selkirk Natural Resource District with Charlene Strelaeff (BCMoF Selkirk, District Manager) followed by site diagnosis exercises in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH) moist warm subzone including soil pits and vegetation plots under the guidance of Hélène Marcoux (UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, Manager and MSFM Program Co-Director), Deb MacKillop (Provincial Ecologist), Craig Delong, Brendan Wilson and Mike van Wijk.
Ecological plot wrap-up discussion with Garry Merkel, Deb MacKillop and Craig Delong (right side of photo).
Special thanks go to Garry Merkel (Director of Indigenous Land Stewardship Centre at UBC) who joined the class for the entire day and enriched the experience with many Indigenous perspectives on ecology, forest management and a sense of place for developing forest professionals at all stages. The afternoon wrapped up with a tour of Woodlot 403 led by Stu Deverney (Selkirk College Forestry Instructor Emeritus).
Deb MacKillop (Provincial Ecologist, BCMoF) speaks about old growth in Giveout Creek area near Nelson.
Morning site diagnosis exercises continued on Tuesday morning in the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF) wet hot subzone followed by a tour of private lands managed by Rainer Muenter at Monticola Forest in Fruitvale, BC. The MSFM class was joined by BC Ministry of Forests professionals to view several examples of thinning, partial harvesting and uneven-aged stand management. These led to many insightful and passionate discussions about numerous forest management options and opportunities in the ICH.
The busy pace continued on Wednesday with a visit to Harrop-Proctor Community Forest (HPCF) and mill which included a cable ferry trip across West Arm. Susan Mulkey (BC Community Forest Association, Senior Manager and Governance Specialist) opened the day with an overview of community forests and Erik Leslie (HPCF, Forest Manager) led a tour with exercises in a range of partial harvesting treatments.
Erik Leslie describing landscape features and partial harvesting treatments at HPCF.Cable ferry crossing West Arm to communities of Harrop and Proctor.David Strom (HPCF Mill Manager) describing processing facilities and products at Harrop-Proctor mill.MSFM class at the Harrop-Proctor Community Forest mill.
The MSFM class then stopped to view the spawning salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park on the way back to Nelson.
Short stop at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park to check out the spawning salmon.
Thursday was another full day with cable harvesting demonstrations in the Sproule Creek area and wildfire risk reduction (WRR) treatments at Selous Creek on the doorstep of the city of Nelson.
In the morning, Gerald Cordeiro (Kalesnikoff, Forestry Manager), Cam Collanus (Kalesnikoff, Silviculture Forester and MSFM Grad) and Ken Scown (BCTS, Woodlands Manager) led an amazing tour of active winch-assist operations. Al Fitchett (AF Timber, President) was the logging contractor on site and provided the class with further context related to all the complexities and things to consider in the implementation of forest development plans.
Al Fitchett and Gerald Cordeiro share how they work together to implement forest harvesting plans.Students viewing the TimberMax winch machine in operation.Gerald Cordeiro explains the nuances of winch-assist harvesting to MSFM students.
In the afternoon, Fons Raedschelders (BC Wildfire, Director of Cultural and Prescribed Fire), Lee-Ann Fournier-Beck (BC Wildfire, Burn Boss) and Gerald Cordeiro (Kalesnikoff, Forestry Manager) led the MSFM students on a tour and discussion about WRR treatments and prescribed fire in the WUI at Selous Creek which overlooks the city of Nelson. Topics covered included all the technical, ecological, collaborative, social license and economic pieces required to implement the project.
Fons Raedschelders, Lee-Ann Fournier-Beck (BC Wildfire) and Gerald Cordeiro (Kalesnikoff) speaking about the complexities and challenges of introducing prescribed burning in the WUI overlooking NelsonFons Raedschelders, Lee-Ann Fournier-Beck (BC Wildfire) and Gerald Cordeiro (Kalesnikoff) speaking about the complexities and challenges of introducing prescribed burning in the WUI overlooking Nelson
Friday was the last day of the MSFM Nelson field trip which concluded with a tour of the Kalesnikoff sawmill and Kalesnikoff Mass Timber (KMT). Clay Winje (Kalesnikoff, Director of Business Intelligence) led the sawmill tour and Erik Laughton (KMT, Quality Assurance Manager) led the mass timber facility tour. Every year there are new developments and this year was no exception. A pilot was underway to manufacture modular housing in preparation for a new facility opening in Castlegar at the end of the year. Of course, no visit would be complete without some passionate and inspirational words from Ken Kalesnikoff (Kalesnikoff, President and CEO).
Clay Winje introduces the MSFM class to operations at the Kalesnikoff sawmill.Clay Winje introduces the MSFM class to operations at the Kalesnikoff sawmill.Ken Kalesnikoff speaks with the MSFM class.
The week ended with an annual UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Alumni and Friends reception with tapas and drinks at the Nelson Museum on Friday night.
The MSFM class loaded into vehicles Saturday morning and reflected on the week during a drive through several biogeoclimatic zones on the way back to Vancouver.
MSFM at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
The Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program is a comprehensive 9-month course-based master’s program designed to prepare students for careers in professional forest land management.
The program focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective forest land managers who contribute to the health, sustainability, and productivity of forests.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship wishes to congratulate Dr. Cindy Prescott who has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
About Cindy’s Research
Cindy’s research bridges the gap between forest ecology and forest management, contributing to the advancement of forest science and ensuring that management practices are grounded in robust scientific evidence. Her work has questioned several commonly accepted beliefs, which she rigorously tested through her own experiments and critical analysis of existing data.
About the Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
The fellowship of the RSC comprises over 2,500 Canadian scholars, artists, and scientists, peer-elected as the best in their field. They are distinguished individuals from all branches of learning who have made remarkable contributions to the arts, humanities and sciences, as well as Canadian public life.
The official inductee ceremony will take place in November 2024.
The BC Wildlife Federation is hiring 2 Educators with their Education & Volunteer Engagement department. Please see the job description attached for more details.
Congratulations to the UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship faculty members involved in projects that were awarded $21.5 million in funding to advance solutions for sustainable agriculture within a net-zero economy.
The research teams and projects are supported by grants awarded through the NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative (SARI), a joint initiative between the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
PERCS: Perennial Plant Restoration for Carbon Sequestration in Canadian Agricultural Landscapes Jeanine Rhemtulla (Forest and Conservation Sciences ); Matthew Mitchell (Forest Resources Management / Faculty of Land and Food Systems); Jennifer Grenz (Forest Resources Management / Faculty of Land and Food Systems); Juliet Lu (Forest Resources Management / School for Public Policy and Global Affairs)
The Canadian Soil Data Portal – Transforming Canada’s Soil Data Infrastructure to Facilitate GHG Reductions and Climate Change Mitigation Maja Krzic (Forest and Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
When: September 3, 2024 Where: Various locations around the Forest Sciences Building
First year students get ready for UBC Imagine Day! This annual event welcomes new students to the Forestry community to participate in various activities like campus tours, faculty and program orientations and social events. The day is designed to help students get familiar with the university, connect with peers and learn about available resources and services.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Deadline: October 31, 2024
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship joins forces with the Mastercard Foundation to empower next-generation leaders
The UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is excited to announce our continued partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the 2025/26 academic year. This collaboration plays a crucial role in empowering the next generation of leaders from economically disadvantaged communities, providing them with the education and skills needed to contribute to social and economic progress in their home countries.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: A Vision for Change
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative with a 10-year mission to educate and develop young leaders who will drive social and economic transformation in their communities. This program particularly targets young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa, aiming to bridge the gap in secondary and tertiary education in the region.
Africa has seen remarkable economic progress and political resurgence in recent years. With more than 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, it is the youngest continent globally. However, Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges in enrolling its youth in quality secondary and tertiary education. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to change this narrative by providing comprehensive support to scholars, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success in the global economy.
UBC’s Commitment to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The University of British Columbia is proud once again to work with the Mastercard Foundation in realizing their vision. By continuing the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, UBC ensures that young leaders have access to quality education and support, enabling them to positively impact their communities and beyond.
“We are proud to be part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, empowering young leaders who will shape their communities and contribute to global progress,” says Rob Kozak, Dean of UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. “This partnership aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, offering scholars the opportunity to advance their expertise in forestry and natural resources management, ultimately benefitting our planet and inspiring positive change.”
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC: Opportunities for the 2025/26 Academic Year
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC offers opportunities for Master’s degree studies in various faculties and programs. For the 2025/26 academic year, aspiring scholars can apply for the following programs at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship:
Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) MSFM is a comprehensive 9-month course-based master’s program designed to prepare students for careers in professional forest land management. The program focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective forest land managers who contribute to the health, sustainability, and productivity of forests.
Master of International Forestry (MIF) MIF is an intensive, 10-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.
Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM) MGEM is an accelerated, 9-month, professional master’s degree program that 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.
Master of Science/Master of Applied Science in Forestry(Thesis-based) The research-oriented degrees offer students the opportunities to tailor their studies and work closely with their supervisor and affiliated department.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia is a beacon of hope for talented and motivated young leaders from economically disadvantaged communities in Africa. By providing access to quality education and support, this program is not only transforming the lives of the scholars but also igniting a positive change that will ripple through their communities and the world.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is proud to be part of this inspiring initiative, working hand in hand with the Mastercard Foundation to make a lasting impact. The call for applications for the 2025/26 academic year is now open, and we invite all qualified candidates to explore this opportunity to further their education and contribute to a brighter future for all.
Written by Robin Hastings, Master of Urban Forestry Leadership student.
For an arborist, there aren’t many better places to work than an arboretum. I jumped at the chance to join the team at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) Arboretum. It was an ideal opportunity to incorporate some of the lessons from the Masters of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) course into the underway arboretum redevelopment project. I and fellow UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship student Lucila Gonzalez were both fortunate to be given summer intern positions at MKRF thanks to a Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) grant.
Staff describing a sap flow demonstration at the Morton Arboretum.
The arboretum at MKRF is a 3.4 ha site, mostly planted in the 1960s with a large number of coniferous trees. Over the intervening years, understory vegetation has grown up, creating a unique ‘forest’ style arboretum. While this creates an interesting dynamic between natural and managed, it was felt that some updating was required to showcase the arboretum in its best light and prepare for future redevelopment at the site.
The work fell into two broad categories. The first was revamping the arboretum with some new signage and trail systems. This included creating an ArcGIS Story map, to highlight the tree collections. Second was creating a design process that incorporates student feedback into a larger redevelopment of the arboretum, and the new MKRF Welcome Centre. The goal is to showcase cutting-edge urban forest practices, elevating the arboretum as an educational resource for UBC students and the wider community.
Funding from the TLEF allowed us to go to Chicago as part of a research trip. Here we visited some world-class arboretums and botanic gardens, speaking to staff and observing what makes interesting and engaging content. This informed our work at MKRF and inspired us to design elements for a world-class teaching arboretum. It was interesting to see how the work being done in various locations around Canada and the US fits within the broader principles of urban forestry management that I had been studying in the MUFL program.
Increasing the public awareness of the arboretum and improving its education capacity underpinned our work. The ArcGIS Story map component is a publicly available interactive tool that people can use to learn more about specific tree species in the arboretum. It allows users to locate the living specimens within the arboretum, and links to QR codes on the tree labels. The MKRF Arboretum Story map is now live and can be accessed here.
One of the biggest lessons that I learned from my time at MUFL was that community buy-in is vital to building a sustainable and resilient urban forest program. Incorporating student feedback into the MKRF redevelopment was therefore a key component. We created a blueprint for a design charette workshop that could be delivered to UBC students so that they could have a voice in the process. Although due to the timing of the internship, we were not able to facilitate this workshop for students, we did have a group of staff and faculty attend our ‘beta’ testing event.
“We used a drone to help identify trees using their cones. These were inaccessible from the ground and so we needed a way to take pictures from the top of this 30m tall noble fir (Abies procera).“
An example of one of the new tree labels for the arboretum.
Both MUFL and the experience gained from working at the MKRF Arboretum have helped to open the door for the next steps in my career.
I am excited to take those lessons forward with me and to see how the MKRF redevelopment projects progress. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to practically apply the knowledge gained in MUFL while working at MKRF.
I am sure that I won’t be the only one and that a strong, fruitful partnership will provide benefits to students, the community and the environment for many more years.
Learn more about the TLEF and the ongoing work at Malcom Knapp Research Forest including the ongoing renewal project to allow MKRF to sustain itself as a natural education hub for generations to come!
