When: June 3-5, 2024 Where: UBC Okanagan, Kelowna campus
We invite the public to join us June 3-5, 2024, in Kelowna and learn about the stark realities of the societal, health, cultural, environmental, and economic costs of wildfires across British Columbia and the actions needed now.
This Symposium will bring together British Columbia’s leading wildfire experts and practitioners to highlight the urgent need to develop a transformative vision and implementation strategy for wildfires before it is too late. We will shed light on the profound impacts of wildfires and tremendous costs to the BC population, emphasizing that the 2017‒2023 fire seasons were not an anomaly but a new and escalating reality fueled by climate change.
As a Professor in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Terry’s work is focused on applied research, biodiversity conservation sustainable resource management and linkages to levering policy influence.
Through the Co-developing Decision Support System for Coastal Mangrovebased Socio-ecological Systems in Eastern and Western Africa (CoastMan) project, Terry explores the essential ecosystem services and climate change protection that Coastal Mangroves provide to communities in Eastern and Western Africa. The main objective is co-production and uptake of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System (DSS) that provides vulnerable coastal mangrove-dependent communities and decision-makers a knowledge-based decision-making capacity for the restoration and conservation of socio-ecological systems.
About the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)
The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) supports world-leading interdisciplinary, international, high-risk/high-reward, transformative and rapid-response Canadian-led research. Within the program, the International stream enhances opportunities for Canadian researchers to partner on international projects.
The 2023 International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Competition is a collaborative funding opportunity designed to support international research projects addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Field Team Member – Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP)
I have been working in the Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) program as a member of the Fall Field Team. The work content at SNAP varied every day, ranging from removing invasive species, preparing for community planting events, and planting trees and seedlings in Surrey parks. Other activities included bird watching, snail hunting and building beaver fences in collaboration with other organizations.
Working at SNAP with the support from co-op program is my first job experience, the starting page of my career related to Urban forestry, so I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity.
I improved my professional knowledge and skills, physical endurance in an outdoor working environment, and social networking and team cooperation through every day work.
Even though the job means getting up early every day and a long commute, at the end of the work term, I still found it enjoyable to be out in the field facing sun or rain with the lovely team. Joining co-op with lots of valuable job opportunities like SNAP that encourages thinking, hard work, and growth is beneficial for all students throughout our lives.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Asst. Prof. Warren Cardinal-McTeague
The scars of colonialism and the erasure of Indigenous scientific knowledges continue to be seen and felt in academic and public spaces. Reframing research from Indigenous perspectives, closing the technology gap and reorienting where research occurs are some of the investigations being led by UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Asst. Prof. Warren Cardinal-McTeague.
Warren, who is Métis and Cree from the communities of Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray, has an academic background in botany and plant biology. His current research focuses on plant genomics and biodiversity, as well as Indigenous environmental management and the practice of decolonizing science and education.
Many Indigenous communities feel alienated from academic institutions, Warren notes. However, initiatives such as the Summer internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics (SING Canada) are making accessible the technology needed for certain types of scientific inquiry. A free, hands-on, week-long intensive workshop for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral and community fellows, SING Canada builds Indigenous capacity and scientific literacy through basic training in the areas of genomics, bioinformatics and Indigenous and decolonial bioethics in the classroom, lab and field. A program that Warren has been involved in for several years, SING Canada shares perspectives that include ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social implications.
This portable genomics equipment supports place-based training and research among Indigenous community members who can use the technology to quantify soil or water microbial diversity.
This past summer, Warren co-presented a mobile genomics lab that brought equipment and research opportunities to Indigenous community partners. SING Canada participants learned how to sequence soil microbiomes using this mobile technology, while at the same time affirming the research interests of their community partners.
“Indigenous peoples have always been scientists and analyzed questions and information from the world around them, but colonialism largely disrupted these practices,” states Warren. “We are at a point of reclaiming sovereignty over our research interests, and an important part of that is having access to the tools and technology necessary for modern scientific inquiry. From here, Indigenous peoples will be better able to ask questions that relate and provide benefit to their communities.”
Another project Warren has undertaken would reframe the relationship of the collection and storage of Indigenous Knowledge in the form of biological and ecological data from one of exclusion to one of collaboration. For example, museum collections often house samples with data from Indigenous communities without the consent of Indigenous community members. “Indigenous peoples have often been treated as objects of research by settler scientists,” Warren notes.
The Indigenous data sovereignty approach Warren proposes would return governance over Indigenous data to their respective communities.
“Institutions today should work directly with Indigenous communities to rectify past and ongoing harms, as well as affirm principles of Indigenous data sovereignty over the physical samples and digitized data that relate to Indigenous peoples,” says Warren. “True reconciliation means moving away from colonial patterns and towards the return of Indigenous history and identity to its rightful owners.”
This article was originally published in the Spring 2024 issue of Branchlines Magazine. View the full issue here.
Lori and her team collect partial or full cross-sectional disks (pictured here) from trees, tracing the scars of environmental disturbances, such as insect infestations and wildfires.
The Centre for Wildfire Coexistence will address the dual priorities of community and ecosystem resilience
Lori Daniels
Over the past seven years, British Columbia and Canada have set unprecedented records for area burned by wildfires, with Canada’s most devastating wildfire season taking place in 2023. Communities and habitats have been turned upside down by out-of-control blazes that have resulted in the tragic loss of life, mass evacuations and tens of millions of hectares of scorched earth.
In response, UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has launched a research centre devoted to the discovery of novel approaches to address the escalating risk of severe wildfire. Led by Prof. Lori Daniels — the inaugural Koerner Chair in Wildfire Coexistence at UBC — the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence will advance proactive forest management and eco-cultural restoration research, collaboration and innovation.
“The success of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence hinges on collaboration and engagement with partners at all levels,” says Lori. “By actively involving the public, communities, Indigenous leaders, all levels of government and non-governmental organizations in our research and initiatives, we can co-create effective strategies for wildfire coexistence and build more resilient landscapes.”
In the context of wildfires, ‘coexistence’ refers to the proactive mitigation of catastrophic risks through the transformation of forest and fire management. Landscape resilience and human safety are balanced with protecting the role of good fire in sustaining ecosystem health.
“Historically, low-severity fires sustained diverse forests across BC’s interior, ignited by lightning and Indigenous fire stewardship,” notes Lori. “These fires thinned forests, curbing intense blazes and nurturing renewed plant growth, along with rejuvenating wildlife habitats.”
Lori and her team’s field work and collaborations with community members will lead to science-based discoveries that support communities in safely coexisting with wildfire.
Transformative support for a more resilient future
The launch of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence is a significant step forward in advancing proactive wildfire management practices and fostering coexistence between people and the environment. Made possible thanks to a visionary $5 million donation from the Koerner family, the Centre will undertake cutting-edge research to assess the efficacy of proactive wildfire management strategies and co-develop solutions for communities at risk.
“The Koerner family is proud to catalyze the establishment of the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship,” says Michelle Koerner, Trustee of the Koerner Foundation. “We recognize the urgent need for proactive management and restoration of our forests to mitigate wildfire impacts, safeguard communities and foster a safer, sustainable future for the benefit of all Canadians.”
The Koerner’s gift is a highly impactful contribution that takes place during FORWARD, the campaign for UBC with the promise and potential to advance healthy lives, a healthy planet and healthy societies.
“This generous donation from the Koerner family is an investment towards a healthier future for our planet,” says Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC. “The Centre will be at the forefront of understanding and managing the complex relationship between wildfires and ecosystem health, bringing together Indigenous peoples, researchers and government agencies to co-develop strategies for protecting natural landscapes and the communities that depend on them.”
The Centre’s holistic and inclusive approach is positioned to redefine the wildfire management landscape, paving the way for a more balanced approach that includes identifying proactive solutions in collaboration with communities towards a safer and more resilient future.
To find out how to support the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, please contact emma.tully@ubc.ca
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship would like to congratulate Dr. Elaheh Ghasemi on being awarded the André Hoffman Fellowship for the Fourth Industrial Revolution!
Dr. Elaheh Ghasemi’s project aims to explore nature-based decarbonization opportunities for the mining and forest sectors in Canada. This interdisciplinary research will develop an open modeling framework to assess carbon capture in forests near mining sector industrial assets, potentially reducing emissions and fostering sustainable land use. The project also seeks to engage First Nations communities, offering economic and cultural benefits while supporting global carbon reduction commitments. By bridging gaps between forest management and mining operations, this initiative will contribute to innovative, sustainable solutions for the bioeconomy.
About the André Hoffmann Fellowship
The André Hoffmann Fellowship for the Fourth Industrial Revolution offers early-career academics the opportunity to work at the intersection of society, science and technology through a joint appointment between the World Economic Forum and leading academic institutions.
I am a forest ecologist. My research interests involve soil-vegetation-water dynamics, ecosystem carbon cycling and sequestration, sustainable forest management, and climate change impact and adaptations. I obtained my PhD from the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at UBC and have taught at UBC, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and several international institutions.
What drew you to your work?
My curiosity to understand complexities, relationships, and biological thresholds in forest ecosystems. This understanding is essential to improve the way we are managing our forests and helps to improve people’s lives, especially those who rely on those ecosystems. That’s what drives me.
What do you hope to achieve through your work here at UBC?
In my view, a shift is needed in the field of forestry. The university is where the vision for that change forms. Being part of the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s global educational network, I hope I can better understand, envision, and facilitate that change. Also, I would like to create a broader international network for education and research for the faculty of forestry at UBC.
What attracted you to UBC and UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
The University of British Columbia is beautiful and has a resourceful, safe, and fun environment to study and work. The UBC’s Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is a globally leading institution. With many exceptional scientists and faculty members to work with, there is plenty of room to grow. In addition, our faculty has a multicultural, professional, respectful, and warm environment which makes working pleasant.
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is excited to announce that Dr. Andrea Lyall has been awarded the UBC Dissertation Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities! As winner of the UBC Dissertation Prize, Andrea has also been nominated for the CAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards Competition. Only two UBC candidates are nominated for this national level competition.
This research explores the integral relationship between forests and the Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis community in present-day British Columbia, Canada, focusing on how forests are central to their identity, culture, and livelihoods. Utilizing Indigenous methodologies and participatory action research, Andrea’s research highlights the significance of forests in maintaining cultural identity, traditional practices, and access to essential resources such as traditional foods and western red cedar, while addressing concerns about cultural erosion and limited forest preservation policies within the community.
Lab Research Assistant – The University of British Columbia, Department of Wood Science
I have been working with my supervisors on developing a sustainable, environmentally friendly, bio-based insulation foam, through various rounds of trial, error, and analysis.
Throughout my co-op work term, I have learned to work with different biomaterials, using different lab equipment, and to interpret different kinds of data. I have also gained experience in the processes of researching scholarly articles, viewing academic presentations, and even of producing and presenting an academic poster at the Bioproducts Institute’s Research Day.
I have learned a lot about the worlds of research, academia, and bioproducts development from my supervisors, group members, and other scientists that I have had the chance to talk and work with.
Land One, a first-year cohort program at UBC, has won the D2L (Desire 2 Learn) Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning in recognition of its transformative approach to student-centred learning.
The program launched in 2018 supported by the Faculties of Land and Food Systems (LFS) and Forestry. Land One accepts 50 students and offers integrated first-year courses in a supportive environment as students adjust to university academics, as well as several opportunities for personal development, such as learning about different worldviews and participating in field trips throughout the year.
“Supported by both Faculties, this interdisciplinary approach demonstrates the program’s commitment to preparing students for contemporary global challenges in land use, food security, climate change, and sustainability,” says Dr. Fernanda Tomaselli, Coordinator of the Land One program and a Lecturer in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship’s Department of Forest Resources Management.
“By fostering a holistic understanding and providing practical skills, Land One empowers students to contribute meaningfully to sustainable solutions.”
Central to Land One is the core teaching team’s commitment to inclusive pedagogy and decolonizing education, integrating diverse ways of knowing such as Indigenous perspectives and worldviews. Students speak of the transformative impact of this approach, with many expressing a newfound interest and appreciation for Indigenous knowledge.
The core teaching team includes Dr. Tomaselli, Dr. Lindsay Cuff, Assistant Professor of Teaching in LFS and Forestry, and Dr. Athena McKown, Lecturer in Forestry’s Forest and Conservation Sciences Department.
Through its integrative approach and experiential activities, Land One cultivates students’ sense of responsibility towards their local communities. For example, students’ awareness extends beyond the classroom by participating in a number of field trips and volunteer activities in nearby farms, community gardens, and research forests.
“Land One not only imparts academic knowledge, but also cultivates a sense of global citizenship. Our goal with the program is to shape the next generation of learners who can contribute to finding solutions to complex ecological and social challenges.”
The D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning recognizes excellence in collaborative teaching and learning in post-secondary education. It is offered by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
