Congratulations to Dr. Kira Hoffman for being named a Trebek Grantee from the Trebek Initiative and a National Geographic Explorer for her research Fighting Fire with Food!
About Kira
Fire ecologist Kira Hoffman aims to address Canada’s wildfire challenges through Indigenous-led fire stewardship. While wildfires pose threats to ecosystems, human lives, and property, their role in maintaining landscape diversity is often overlooked. Kira’s pioneering project within the traditional Lax’yip territory of the Gitanyow Nation seeks to explore the benefits of cultural fire practices in restoring biodiversity to forest and grassland ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of supporting Indigenous-led stewardship, especially considering that Indigenous Peoples are 40% more likely to be evacuated during wildfires.
About the Trebek Initiative
Hailing from coast to coast to coast, Trebek Grantees are sharing stories about their unique cultures and communities, and challenging the way we think and speak about Canadian and Indigenous identities; they’re delivering cutting edge scientific research; preserving the environment, wildlife and water systems through innovative technologies and inspiring a generation of youth to become change-makers.
About National Geographic Explorers
National Geographic Explorers are exceptional individuals in their fields who receive funding and support from the Society to illuminate and protect our world through their work in science, exploration, education, and storytelling. They are driven by something bigger than themselves. They see the difference between the world as it is and as it could be, and they make a choice to do something about it with courage and conviction.
UBC Forestry wishes to congratulate Dr. Guangyu Wang on receiving the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for Community Service for his work with Chinese communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
About Guangyu Wang
Guangyu’s research centers on sustainable forest and watershed management through computer modeling. He’s completed projects utilizing system dynamics, bioregional assessments, and GIS to analyze ecosystem degradation and land use management. His primary focus is on Chinese forest management, where he’s developed innovative sustainable management plans. Dr. Wang also investigates climate change, forest adaptation, and carbon market mechanisms. Additionally, as a former business professional, he’s keen on strategic planning, financial management of natural resources, and the effectiveness of land use change policies.
About the RCS Platinum Jubilee Medal
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) is an international charity. They work to engage people in the modern Commonwealth through a range of public events, youth projects and educational activities. This award was created to both honour the Society’s longest serving Patron, the longest Head of the Commonwealth and Canada’s longest reigning Monarch, and to reward excellence in the community
In support of United Way, the Student Services team at UBC Forestry has organized two fundraisers that you can contribute to this winter season to help those in need in our communities: the Growing Smiles Fundraiser and the Purdys Chocolatier Group Savings and Fundraising.
The Growing Smiles Fundraiser will be raising money for United Way by selling beautiful plants, while Purdys Chocolatier Group Savings and Fundraising will be offering delicious sweet treats. The funds raised through both fundraisers will go towards United Way’s mission, which includes helping strengthen our community by providing nutritious, culturally appropriate meals to those in need, give local kids access to high quality, after-school programs, connecting people in need of support with the help they deserve, and lift isolated seniors from loneliness.
UBC Forestry congratulates Dr. Danielle Ignace on being selected as an Excellence in Ecology Scholar from the Ecological Society of America (ESA).
About Danielle’s Research
Danielle is a dedicated ecophysiologist from the Coeur d’Alene tribe whose research centers on investigating the impacts of climate change, wildfires, and introduced species on ecosystem health and their effects on Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada.
As a strong advocate for the representation of underrepresented groups in the field of science, Danielle emphasizes the integration of Indigenous Knowledge and effective science communication in her transdisciplinary projects. Her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion is evident through her roles as an elected Officer for the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Section of the Ecological Society of America and Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee for the American Society of Plant Biologists.
Danielle also serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, which is an open-access, transdisciplinary journal dedicated to facilitating collaborative, peer-reviewed research. Throughout her career, she has built distinctive collaborations to better comprehend and convey critical global change issues.
As an Indigenous woman thriving in the field of STEM, Danielle is deeply committed to developing Indigenous-focused curricula. Her unique perspective acts as a bridge between Indigenous communities and the scientific community, fostering connections and understanding.
About the Ecological Society of America
The 2023 EEE Scholars engage in impactful research across diverse ecological communities and landscapes. They are actively involved in community engagement initiatives. Each scholar will receive a $5,000 award over two years. This funding will aid their participation in speaking opportunities at ESA annual meetings, research projects, family/childcare support, webinars, and publication fees in ESA’s open-access journals. The ESA Excellence in Ecology Scholars program supports the career development of diverse ecologists, fostering innovative research in social-ecological systems to address global environmental challenges.
Paramount Forestry Ltd. is an established forest management consulting firm specializing in silviculture surveying & timber development services for clients including major licensees, the Ministry of Forests, as well as private land & woodlot owners. Located in the beautiful Bulkley Valley, in the north-central part of BC’s interior, the Town of Smithers has much to offer any family or individual. Paramount, as a result of annual contract commitments, has full-time seasonal FOREST PROFESSIONAL & FOREST TECHNICIAN positions open for post-harvest/Silviculture surveying activities. Both career-advancing, as well as shorter-term seasonal positions are available. Paramount does believe in safety first and is committed, through annual safety training, in providing employment in the securest way possible.
NorthPac Forestry Group Ltd. is a fully integrated forestry company, engaged in all aspects of forestry from planning through to the delivery and sale of logs to domestic and overseas customers and markets. With an annual volume under management of approximately 1,000,000 m3 and expanding opportunities in forestry and energy sectors in Northwest B.C. we are looking to grow our team.
For more information and how to apply please visit the attached link below.
Natural Resources Canada Canadian Forest Service is recruiting to fill several forestry officer positions in various locations across Canada. These positions will support a new, multi-year program to enhance Canada’s forest monitoring and reporting, working in collaboration with Canada’s provinces and territories and other federal departments. By being key contributors to pan-Canadian forest data coordination, collection and analysis, successful candidates will contribute to a better understanding of forest integrity and forest carbon. Come join our vibrant team of foresters, technical experts, and researchers to help deliver this exciting program within a diverse and inclusive work environment.
For more information and how to apply, please visit the attached link below.
UBC Forestry would like to congratulate Dr. Cindy Prescott and Dr. Shannon Hagerman on receiving the Scientific Achievement Award through the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO).
About Cindy’s Research
Cindy’s research has improved our scientific understanding of the interactions between trees and the belowground ecosystem, and the influences of forestry practices on soil organic matter and nutrient availability. It has also improved our ability to restore forests on poor or degraded soils. Dr. Prescott has contributed to scientific publishing of forest research, serving for 20 years as editor of two major forest science journals – the first woman in both cases. Cindy has contributed to graduate education in forest sciences through her own supervision and by overseeing the graduate program at the University of British Columbia.
About Shannon’s Research
Shannon’s research addresses urgent societal challenges at the nexus of people, climate change, and forests. She pioneered the field of novel environmental interventions and has led forestry in new directions, underpinned by nuanced social data sets. Working with colleagues around the world and her graduate students, her research is highly original, methodologically innovative, integrative, and collaborative. She publishes in high-impact journals and influences policy discussions and decision-making at international, regional and community scales. As an award-winning teacher and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Forestry at UBC, she is also training the next generation of forestry researchers.
About the Scientific Achievement Awards
At each World Congress, IUFRO recognizes outstanding achievements of up to ten scientists. Awards are presented for research results published in scientific journals, proceedings of scientific meetings or books, or appropriate patents or other relevant evidence that clearly demonstrates the importance of the scientific or technical achievement to the advancement of regional or world forestry or forest research.
The UBC Faculty of Forestry has had ten past award winners (Namkoong, Kimmins, Saddler, Innes, Mansfield, El-Kassaby, Kozak, Hamelin, Aitken, Sunderland), making it the most celebrated institution in IUFRO’s 130-year history.
