Branchlines Web Exclusive | From Forest to Frame: Technology is Changing Homebuilding in BC

June 23, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Jun 23, 2026 | BRANCHLINES WEB EXCLUSIVE

From Forest to Frame: Technology is Changing Homebuilding in BC

As housing costs climb across British Columbia (BC), emerging technologies like timber processing centres could help build homes faster and more affordably, particularly for multi-family dwellings.

Timber processing centres, such as the Hundegger computer numerical control (CNC) machine, use remotely operated and automated saws, drills and cutting tools to transform timber into custom wood components used in, for example, building construction. Sections of wood sawn in a timber processing centre can be glued together to form prefabricated mass timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (GLT) and parallel strand lumber (PSL) pillars or beams that can be as strong as concrete or steel.

The system’s automated precision custom-cut, milling, joinery and drilling also answers calls from industry and provincial leaders to elevate BC’s value-added wood manufacturing. Value-added products like mass timber and prefabricated wood components for homes sourced from a variety of fibre types — some previously viewed as non-commercially-viable — are a big part of the vision for housing in the province.

Digital tools help builders, architects and manufacturers work together

Mass timber products can be constructed in collaboration with building architects and developers through seamlessly integrated software systems shared across professions. For example, computer-aided design (CAD) software supports designing structural components and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software supports integrations.

Digital technology like this is taking precision manufacturing to the next level, able to produce mass timber structural components sized accurately to within one millimetre of design plans, compared with the three-to-six-millimetre industry standard.

The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is a leader in this space

In 2014, the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship (FES) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) was the first site in North America to install a Hundegger Robot Drive timber processing centre. Presently housed at FES’s the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP), the technology serves as a teaching tool for both students and members of the wood products industry.

Hundegger Robot Drive timber processing centre — With a few clicks and taps on computers, timber processing centres can transform timber into finished wood components ready for use in building construction or to be assembled into made-to-order furniture.

Part of FES’s Department of Wood Science, CAWP is Canada’s national centre for education, training and technical assistance for the wood products manufacturing industry, offering a breadth of training courses, along with professional programs, product development and manufacturing improvement.

Building tall and beautiful structures with wood

While the technology has been around for a few decades, the application of timber processing centres in the manufacturing sector, particularly for prefabricated mass timber structures, is relatively new. However, a few examples exist in BC.

The CLT panel floor assemblies and GLT and PSL columns used to construct the Brock Commons Tallwood House at UBC Vancouver were manufactured with a timber processing centre. Thanks, in part, to its prefabricated construction, the 18-storey building was completed within 70 days of its mass timber components arriving on site, outpacing the industry standard for projects of its size by four months.

Another example is the Malahat SkyWalk in southern Vancouver Island. The structure’s 30-metre-high mass timber Viewing Tower showcases prefabricated glulam columns and beams and some CLT paneling, most of which is exposed because of their aesthetic appeal.

Leading education at FES is advancing mass timber design and manufacturing

At CAWP, the world-leading CNC-controlled joinery Hundegger supports student learning, as well as workshops for industry professionals.

“FES students use the Hundegger for prototyping and testing large-scale timber elements, creating custom structural components and other things like timber frame structures,” notes Jason Chiu, Managing Director at CAWP. “Following its installation, this technology has been used extensively to support applied research, student learning and student and industry training.”

Students in a hands-on Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) workshop classroom

FES industry workshops, like its hands-on Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) workshop, expose forestry professionals to advanced techniques using tools like timber processing centres, inspiring industry members to think outside the box about how this technology could be applied in real-world contexts. A collaboration between FES and UBC School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture (SALA), interactions between participants and FES faculty during these workshops bridge the gap between academia and industry, connecting experts in the field with innovative research and knowledge generation at FES.

“In particular, timber processing centres like the Hundegger have become instrumental in advancing collaborative research with industry in the prefabricated and mass timber specializations,” Jason shares.

Students working on a wood project — DFMA workshop students use the Hundegger (shown in the background) to complete a team project.

“They provide the machine-operated, automated precision cutting, drilling and processing needed to prototype and test large-scale timber elements,” Jason adds. “This functionality gives researchers, students and industry partners the ability to explore innovative solutions that would not otherwise be possible in an academic setting, such as exploring new opportunities and challenges in advanced design-to-fabrication processes for timber.”

Students in a wood workshop working on a mass timber project — A DFMA workshop student is dwarfed by a mass timber team project.

DFMA workshops bring together architects, engineers, installers and manufacturers to design, fabricate and install a full-scale timber structure. Powered by the Hundegger’s capabilities, the workshop fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and builds the skills necessary to accelerate the integration of mass timber manufacturing into the design and construction sectors.

Looking ahead, technology like the timber processing centre will likely continue to expand in popularity as industry vies for growth, additional investment in BC’s forest sector and diversification to meet new construction sector and public demands. At FES, research is supporting this goal.

“The full potential of wood applications in the construction sector is still being explored,” says FES Professor and Head of FES’s Department of Wood Science, Stavros Avramidis. “FES is continuing to acquire state-of-the-art technology and hiring experts in wood manufacturing, and now tall wood building and mass timber, because of demand from industry to develop expertise and train the next generation of professionals in these areas.”

Stavros Avramidis receives SWST Distinguished Service Award

June 22, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Congratulations to Stavros Avramidis for receiving the SWST (International Society of Wood Science and Technology) Distinguished Service Award.

This award recognizes distinguished contributions to the wood science profession through education, research, technological innovation, and professional service. Stavros received the honour in recognition of his career-long commitment to advancing wood science and technology through his advocacy, teaching, research, and service, including the past decade as Head of the Department of Wood Science.

Learn more about the SWST award

Posted in: Awards, News, WS Featured
Tagged with: Awards, Wood Science

Wild Bar 2026: A cocktail bar in the forest

June 22, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Cocktail bar in the forest at Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

When: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 4 pm, 5 pm or 6 pm
Where: Malcolm Knapp Research Forest – Maple Ridge
Cost: $48.15 per person ($10 discount for UBC staff and Alumni with code 10OFF)

*must be 19+

Forest Cocktails & Foraging Experience

Spend a summer evening beneath the forest canopy enjoying handcrafted cocktails inspired by the season’s wild harvest. Created by Chef and Sommelier Robin Kort of Swallow Tail Tours, the immersive cocktail menu features house-made syrups, tonics, bitters, and locally foraged ingredients.

Your ticket includes one signature cocktail and an engaging conversation with a wildcraft expert, who will share insights into forest ecology and the art of foraging for edible plants.

Featured Cocktails

Wild G&T – Sheringham Seaside Gin infused with elderflower and flowering currant, topped with tonic and wild sorrel.
Savage Sour – A tribute to urban foraging, featuring Vancouver fig leaf bitters, rye, and citrus.
Tinto de Verano – A refreshing Spanish-inspired blend of wild blackberry shoots, berries, red wine, and orange.
Magnolia Shrub & Soda – Fermented magnolia blossoms, cider vinegar, and soda, available with or without mezcal.

Seasonal foraged ingredients may be added to each cocktail, depending on what the forest has to offer, from wildflowers to aromatic leaves and roots.

Additional cocktails and wine by the glass will be available for purchase. A non-alcoholic cocktail option is also available in place of the included beverage.

Posted in: Past Events
Tagged with: Forest Walk, Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

UBC Transfer Student Experience: From Douglas College to Bioeconomy Sciences

June 17, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Every year, the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship welcomes numerous transfer students from colleges and universities from around BC and across Canada. In fact, across our undergraduate programs, about a third of students join the Faculty every year from other post-secondary institutions.

The benefits of university transfer are numerous, from smaller class sizes, lower tuition fees, options for self-paced study, and more one-on-one time with your professors. Transferring to the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship also means you’ll be joining a close-knit community of researchers, faculty, and fellow students at the forefront of environmental education and research.

If you’re considering a university transfer, continue reading to learn from a transfer student currently studying at UBC’s Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, Tudor Barbacuta!

Introduce yourself!

My name is Tudor, I’m a 3^rd year transfer student currently in the Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology (BEST) major in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources. I’ve already had a bit of a career, but I decided to come back to school after realizing my interests and passion lay elsewhere. I’m very interested in the intersection of materials science and natural resources and how we can use environmental solutions to continue making the things we need.

Where did you transfer from?

I transferred from Douglas College, where I completed a two-year degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Why did you choose university transfer?

As a working professional, university transfer allowed me to study part-time and at my own pace, while giving me options to tailor my degree. It was also generally more affordable, and class sizes were smaller.

How did you find the transfer process to UBC?

Overall, it was pretty straightforward. The BC Transfer Guide really helped me in selecting the right courses to ensure I could meet prerequisites and find equivalencies at UBC. The advising team at the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship was also really helpful.

Were there any challenges or difficulties you encountered when transferring?

There was some confusion about prerequisites. Because I had initially prepared my transfer for a UBC program that ended up being discontinued, I was missing some prerequisite courses for the BEST major. I think a lot of resources are dedicated to students entering from high school, including information on prerequisites, so some information for transfer students would have helped.

Do you have any advice for potential transfer students?

Plan your coursework carefully, and seek out advising often—don’t be shy—the transfer credit process will be a lot more successful if you do. Also, for transfer students who might need to take a little longer to finish their degree, make sure you’re prepared for unexpected changes. It’s not a good feeling when a program is discontinued or a course no longer offers transfer credit—make sure you have a backup plan.

Would you recommend university transfer?

Yes, definitely. I think it’s a great way to navigate a career shift, especially for people who don’t have the ability to go back to school full time. Also, if you plan your courses well, you can basically earn two degrees in about the same time as one undergraduate degree. It’s also a good backup plan for high school students who might not have been admitted to UBC on their first try.

Posted in: Bioeconomy Sciences & Technology, News
Tagged with: Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology, Student Stories

Greater International Co‑operation is Needed to Achieve the UN’s Global Forest Goals

June 9, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Originally posted on The Conversation, authored by Dr. Terry Sunderland and Dr. Peter Wood.

While many people tacitly appreciate the intrinsic and aesthetic value forests and trees provide, governments and policymakers have struggled to take firm action to protect the Earth’s forests.

The Global Forest Goals Report 2026, to which we contributed, was released at the recent United Nations Forum on Forests in New York. It represents an urgent call to action.

The report takes stock of progress made towards meeting the six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests, emphasizing the importance of forests in meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Compiled from voluntary reports contributed by 48 nations representing more than half of all global forests, it provides an invaluable overview of how they are managed.

While some progress has been made since these goals were established in 2017, it is uneven. Only seven of the 26 targets have been broadly met, 17 are only partly met and two — reversing deforestation and eradicating extreme poverty for forest-dependent people — are completely off track.

Between 2015 and 2025, the world lost more than 40 million hectares of forest, an area slightly larger than Germany or Japan, including 16 million hectares of primary forests, which are of particular importance for biodiversity and the climate.

Pressures from expanding road networks, forest degradation and land-use changes continue to threaten forests in many regions, through both state-sanctioned and illegal activities.

International co-operation

Gains have been made in terms of protected areas, expansion of long-term forest management plans and forest-related monitoring systems. The report contains many success stories and signs of hope. There are several mentions of national programs and international co-operation that have resulted in real, tangible benefits for forests and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

Canada is among those acknowledged. The country’s 2024 Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Strategy takes a “whole-of-society” approach to wildland fire resilience. It aims to deepen partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, expand knowledge and understanding of wildfire risk, and scale up investments in prevention and mitigation — all toward building greater resilience of communities and infrastructure across Canada by 2030.

However, climate change is bringing warmer weather, lowering water tables and reducing moisture. Risks are also growing due to an increasing number of fire-igniting lightning strikes.

Projections indicate that the fire season in Canada, along with much of the world’s temperate regions, will begin sooner and last longer each year. Wildfires are also increasingly occurring where wildlands meet human development, posing a greater threat to critical infrastructure, communities and industrial activities.

These financial and environmental concerns are not isolated to Canada’s 370 million hectares of forests, which make up nine per cent of the world’s total forest area, but extend worldwide. Forests everywhere are critical to climate stability, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods, yet they remain in decline due to a wide variety of pressures.

While in the past forests were seen as a purely domestic issue, international co-operation and action is necessary to address a suite of forest-related challenges that stretch beyond borders.

Protecting forests

Individual country reports also indicate that forests are increasingly recognized not only for their ecological functions but also as a foundation for rural development and poverty alleviation.

Forests underpin nearly every goal the world has set for sustainable development by 2030, from ending poverty and hunger to securing clean water, clean energy and decent livelihoods for well over a billion people. Yet many countries report that the full realization of the economic and social benefits of forests remains constrained by weak market access and limited economic opportunities.

We have never been more in need of collective action on global environmental challenges, yet current geopolitical tensions and the prioritization of near-term national interests place international co-operation at risk. Development assistance, including support for multilateral institutions, declined by 23 per cent from 2024 to 2025 — the largest annual contraction on record.

Meanwhile, private financial institutions provided US$8.9 trillion in financing to companies with the highest deforestation risk. Environmentally harmful agricultural subsidies reached approximately US$406 billion annually, compared to a total of just US$84 billion in finance flows to protect forests.

The report makes clear that the tools, knowledge and the policy frameworks exist. Innovative financing, stronger institutions and cross-sectoral co-operation are essential to meet the goals.

National leadership and community-driven solutions demonstrate that progress can be accelerated when ambition is matched by action. It is time to think about how to increase the political will towards international co-operation on climate and forests, and the financial commitment to back it.

Posted in: News
Tagged with: Forest, Forest Management, the conversation, United Nations

Creating the UBC President’s Table with CAWP

June 9, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

On April 24, the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) delivered a custom executive boardroom table to the UBC President’s office, replacing the existing marble‑topped Saarinen tulip table with a purpose‑designed solid wood centrepiece that better meets functional needs such as acoustics and seating comfort.

Crafting a New Centerpiece for UBC’s Presidential Office

When UBC’s president decided to replace the main conference table in his office, members of the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) were invited to design and manufacture a custom wood solution on campus. The existing piece—a Saarinen tulip table with an oval marble top and hollow metal base—was an iconic design but did not meet the president’s functional needs, particularly in terms of acoustics and seating comfort at the head of the table.

With the specifications in mind, Lief Eriksen, technical operations coordinator of the CAWP, proposed several distinct concepts. The president ultimately selected a solid wood interpretation that retained some of the soft, oval-like character of the original top while introducing a more grounded, retangular presence suited to the space.

Design Process

The final design was developed in Fusion 360, with particular attention to ergonomics, stability, and buildability. The base geometry was refined to provide adequate legroom and to ensure that the centre of mass remained within the footprint of the base, even under significant loading at the table’s edge, keeping the table comfortable and stable during meetings.

Red alder, a commercially available but underutilized British Columbia hardwood, was selected for the project. Its colour and grain were chosen to complement existing millwork in the president’s office while demonstrating the suitability of local species for high‑profile institutional applications, reinforcing UBC’s commitment to showcasing regionally sourced, value‑added wood products in its own spaces.

A sprayed finish system was coordinated by PhD student Joseph Kim, drawing on advanced wood finishing experience developed through UBC’s wood finishing coursework and research. The result is a durable, low‑sheen finish that highlights the natural character of red alder while meeting the performance expectations of a heavily used meeting table.

Advanced Manufacturing at CAWP

The project made extensive use of CAWP’s advanced manufacturing infrastructure, which is uncommon in an academic setting. Major components of the base were produced on a five‑axis CNC machining centre, equipment that was among the first of its kind in British Columbia when acquired by CAWP and remains rare outside specialized industrial facilities. This capability allowed complex three‑dimensional geometries to be machined accurately and repeatably in solid wood and illustrates how CAWP can help industry partners de-risk advanced manufacturing approaches by proving out designs at full scale on campus.

Additional operations were completed on a three‑axis CNC machining centre capable of processing both wood and certain metals when carefully configured. Using the same platform for both materials helped maintain tight tolerances at wood‑metal interfaces and ensured precise alignment throughout the assembly.

Metal connectors and internal plates were fabricated in‑house using waterjet cutting followed by CNC machining. Keeping these processes on site allowed CAWP to manage fit, alignment, and assembly quality throughout the project, mirroring modern vertically integrated manufacturing workflows and giving students and collaborators a realistic view of end‑to‑end product development.

At the same time, traditional craftsmanship remained integral. After CNC machining, surfaces were refined and prepared using hand tools to achieve the desired tactile quality, demonstrating how digital fabrication and hands-on finishing can work together in contemporary wood products manufacturing.

The Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP)

The CAWP at UBC is Canada’s national hub for education, training, and technical support in value‑added wood products manufacturing. It brings together state‑of‑the‑art CNC and finishing facilities, the award‑winning Wood Products Processing program, and a suite of industry‑focused offerings such as short courses, e‑learning, and the Industrial Wood Finishing Certificate. These resources help companies design, prototype, and improve wood products while preparing highly skilled graduates to drive innovation in the sector.

Posted in: News, Wood Products Featured
Tagged with: Advanced Manufacturing, Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, CNC Machining, Custom Furniture, Wood Products Proccessing

UBC FES study: 5 million Amphibians and Reptiles Displaced by B.C. Construction – With No Requirement to Track Survival

June 9, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

UBC researchers have found more than 5 million amphibians and reptiles were displaced by development in British Columbia in just four years – and there’s no requirement to monitor survival rate.

The paper published in the Journal of Wildlife Management is the first of its kind to document the large-scale herpetofauna relocation taking place in the province. Researchers analyzed 629 provincial permits between 2019 and 2022. Of those, 227 reported 5.1 million relocations. Amphibians accounted for 99% of the movements – with the western toad relocated the most.

“Our study shows not only how heavily we rely on this practice, but also raises a bigger question: what happens next?”, said Megan Winand, lead author and recent MSc graduate from UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. “With no legal requirement to monitor outcomes of relocations there’s limited evidence on whether these efforts actually support long-term survival of population persistence.”

Translocation is standard practice in B.C.

Amphibians and reptiles are among the most threatened groups of vertebrates globally. In B.C. – the most biologically diverse province in Canada – they serve as sensitive indicators of ecosystem health. As development pressures increase, translocation has become a default mitigation tool in the province. In Alberta and Ontario, translocation of at-risk species of herpetofauna is restricted, while the practice is rarely used in the Martimes.

The highest number of translocations in B.C. occurred during large-scale infrastructure development. Pipelines, railways, bridges, and water systems were among the leading drivers.

The authors note that despite the enormous scale of this activity, its effectiveness remains entirely unknown. Post-relocation monitoring is not legally required, which means there is no data to determine whether relocated animals survive or populations persist.

“This research highlights a critical gap in how we manage herpetofauna threatened by major developments,” said Dr. Tara Martin, co-author of the study and professor in the department of forest and conservation sciences at UBC. “Translocation decision-making must be grounded in evidence – and right now, we are making consequential choices for millions of amphibians without the data to know whether they survive.”

Stronger enforcement of habitat avoidance

The authors call for habitat avoidance as the first line of protection – prioritizing early project decisions such as rerouting infrastructure or redesigning crossings to prevent impacts altogether.

“Where development impacts cannot be avoided, there should also be greater investment in habitat restoration and creation,” said Winand. “Simply moving amphibians and reptiles does not address the underlying loss of the habitat these species depend on.”

The authors recommend implementing mandatory reporting and post-relocation monitoring as a legal requirement for translocations in British Columbia. Without this data, it’s impossible to know whether these species survive relocations and it restricts the practice from improving over time.

Interview language: English (Winand, Martin).

Media contact:
Charlotte Fisher
Marketing & Media Relations Strategist
UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
charlotte.fisher@ubc.ca

Posted in: FCS Featured, News
Tagged with: amphibian conservation, habitat disturbance, reptiles, translocation, Wildlife Conservation

V. Advances in Forestry Symposium: Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation in Forestry

June 8, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

5th Advances in Forestry Symposium (ADFORS): Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation in Forestry

V. Advances in Forestry Symposium (ADFORS)
V SEMANA DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO EM ENGENHARIA FLORESTAL (SEAFLOR)

When: June 24, 25 & 26 | 9 AM – 2:30 PM (PST)
Where: Online via Zoom & In-person at UFPR – Brazil
Contact: seaflor@ufpr.br

There is no cost to attend this event courtesy of the organizing universities and CAPES but registration is required.

There will be simultaneous translation from English to Portuguese and from Portuguese to English.
Haverá tradução simultânea de inglês para português e de português para inglês.

June 24, 2026

Day 1
9 AM – 2:15 PM (PST)
Inspiration and Connection

June 25, 2026

Day 2
9 AM – 2:30 PM (PST)
Diagnosis of Challenges

June 26, 2026

Day 3
9 AM – 2 PM (PST)
Responses and Proposals: Co-Creation

Program Schedule

English:

View Program

Português:

Programação

About the Symposium

The Advances in Forestry Symposium (ADFORS) was established by Dr. Márcio Pereira da Rocha of the Federal University of Paraná’s (UFPR) Graduate Program in Forestry (PPGEF), together with PPGEF students Eraldo Antonio Bonfatti Júnior, David Alexandre Buratto, and Renan Zunta Raia. Designed to foster knowledge exchange among forestry students and professionals, ADFORS provides a forum for exploring diverse areas of forestry while helping graduate students develop leadership, collaboration, and science communication skills.

The first three editions of ADFORS were held in 2017, 2018, and 2022 at the Center for Forestry and Wood Science (CIFLOMA) at UFPR in Curitiba, Brazil. Building on the success of these events and a growing partnership between UFPR and the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, ADFORS expanded into an international collaboration connecting Brazil and Canada. Now in its fifth edition, ADFORS continues to bring together students, researchers, educators, community members, industry leaders, and government representatives, with this year’s symposium focused on entrepreneurship and technological innovation in forestry.

List of Supporters / Lista de Apoiadores

View list / Ver lista

Posted in: Past Events
Tagged with: Brazil, International, Technology, UFPR

Gifts from the Land: A Fireside Chat on Land Stewardship and Medicine Harvesting

June 4, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

When: Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 3-4:30 pm
Where: Forest Sciences Centre (FSC), Room: CAWP 2916

This event is free for all to attend. Please register to join.

As we celebrate National Indigenous History Month, join Indigenous knowledge keepers Aileen Michel (St’át’imc Nation) and Mitchell Tourangeau (Nêhiyaw/Cree Nation) for an inspiring conversation on medicine gathering, cultural teachings, healing, and reconnecting with the land. Drawing from their personal journeys of resilience, recovery, and cultural revitilization, Aileen and Mitchell will share teachings rooted in lived experience. The chat will be moderated by Dana-Lyn Mackenzie, Senior Manager for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity.

This event is presented by the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship (FES) JEDI Committee and co-sponsored by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) EDI Committee.

Speakers

Aileen Michel Cheekalala Winchisty

Aileen Michel was born and raised in Lillooet, British Columbia, in the Interior region and is of St’át’imc descent. Her traditional name is Cheekalala Winchisty (“Little Woman”). She belongs to the people of Xwísten (“the Smiling People”) and the Bear Clan.

Aileen grew up on reserve and spent time in and out of the foster care system throughout the Interior region. The childhood trauma she experienced helped shape her into the person she is today—someone who describes herself as “a bit rough around the edges, a bit of a scrapper, and a fighter.” Aileen feels that her life and accomplishments have been earned through hard work, perseverance, and overcoming adversity.

At the age of 15, Aileen became involved with the justice system and was convicted of manslaughter. While serving her sentence, she began reconnecting with her culture. She reached out to Elders for guidance and support, spending time listening, learning, and receiving teachings from many Elders she met along her journey. She became an Oskapew (helper) and served as a Sweat Lodge helper for six years, learning the responsibilities of a fire keeper, as well as songs, protocols, and teachings associated with various ceremonies. These experiences sparked a deep desire to learn more about her culture and helped her navigate a difficult period in her life.

Since her release, Aileen has continued to pursue what she loves: learning about her culture and strengthening her connection to Mother Earth and her ancestors. She is a strong and proud Indigenous woman who is passionate about helping others by sharing her knowledge in a kind and caring way. Aileen is focused on moving forward and inspiring others through her journey.

Mitchell Tourangeau Cistêmâw Ayisyiniw

Mitchell Tourangeau was born in Cold Lake, Alberta, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, within the Plains Cree territory of the Prairie region. He is of Nêhiyaw descent, and his traditional name is Cistêmâw Ayisyiniw (“Tobacco Person”). He belongs to the Nêhiyawak, or “the Four Bodies People.” The Nêhiyaw were also known as the Cree, a name given by settlers.

Mitchell was raised by a single mother alongside his two brothers. His childhood was marked by family violence, addiction, trauma, and poverty—experiences that helped shape him into the person he is today: someone who is honest, resilient, respectful, and committed to living the traditional beauty ways while honouring his ancestors.

Mitchell began using substances at an early age and struggled with addiction until he was 28 years old. During this difficult period, he became involved in criminal activity, which led to time in both youth detention and adult correctional facilities. Eventually, he made the life-changing decision to pursue sobriety. Today, Mitchell has been sober for nearly a decade.

A proud father, Mitchell has been teaching his teenage daughter traditional ways since she was young. He shares his experience, strength, hope, and knowledge with Indigenous communities and others who wish to learn. Through storytelling, cultural teachings, and sharing his recovery journey, Mitchell helps others reconnect with traditional ways of life while continuing to honour his ancestors through work that he values deeply and practices every day.

Moderator

Dana-Lyn Mackenzie

Dana-Lyn Mackenzie is a member and elected councillor of the Hwlitsum First Nation and a double alumna of the University of British Columbia, holding both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from UBC. She has dedicated her career to advancing Indigenous engagement, education, and student success, including serving as Senior Manager, EDI & Indigeneity for the Faculties of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and Land and Food Systems, where she leads decolonization and Indigenization initiatives. Dana-Lyn has developed Indigenous educational programming, spoken widely on Indigenous research and reconciliation, and continues to support implementation of UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan through leadership and advisory roles. A recipient of the UBC President’s Staff Award for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion, she is also a board member of RESEAU-CMI and a proud mother of two.

Posted in: Past Events
Tagged with: Forest Medicine, Indigenous, Indigenous Land Stewardship, National Indigenous History Month

In the Media: June 2026

June 1, 2026 | Author: UBC FES

Here’s a look at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship in the media throughout June 2026.

June 2, 2026

Suzanne Simard Speaks for the Trees
Suzanne Simard
Maclean’s

June 4, 2026

World’s forests in a race against time, warns UN global forest report
Terry Sunderland
Forest News

June 5, 2026

GARDENING: The soil is warm and ready for compost tea
Suzanne Simard
Collingwood Today

June 6, 2026

Is Carney’s strategy truly ‘AI For All’?
Hamish van der Ven
CBC The House

June 7, 2026

How you can stop your cat from bringing home unwelcome pathogens
Amy Wilson, Scott Wilson
The Conversation

June 8, 2026

Community conservation in Ghana has evolved, but policy and funding need to catch up
Samuel Adeyanju, Alida O’Connor
The Conversation

Conservationists hope black bear’s death in B.C. park ‘not in vain,’ call for change
Cole Burton
CBC

June 9, 2026

UBC study calls for further attention to frog relocation
Megan Winand
CTV News

Greater international co‑operation is needed to achieve the UN’s global forest goals
Terry Sunderland, Peter Wood
The Conversation

June 10, 2026

5 million amphibians and reptiles moved for B.C. development, with no requirement to track survival: study
Tara Martin, Megan Winand
CBC

June 11, 2026

Millions of B.C. amphibians, reptiles relocated for developments, but survival isn’t tracked: Study
Tara Martin, Megan Winand
Vancouver Sun

June 12, 2026

UBC researcher warns people to avoid catch-and-release fishing
Scott Hinch
CBC Listen

June 13, 2026

New tools and old habits meet in spring morel picking
Monika Fischer
Elliot Lake Today

‘The land misses us’: How Indigenous land stewardship protects cultural history and forests
William Nikolakis
CBC

June 17, 2026

Fire-loving fungi are nature’s first responders after wildfire, readying the soil for rebirth
Monika Fischer
CBC Radio, Radio Canada International

June 18, 2026

Opinion: Dismantling environmental laws isn’t in Canada’s national interest
Cole Burton, Marie Auger-Methe
Vancouver Sun

June 23, 2026

Animals are often moved to make way for infrastructure, but we don’t know what happens to them next
Megan Winand
The Conversation

June 24, 2026

Netflix Anime Fool Night Unites Sunrise and Shaft on Science of Turning Humans Into Plants
Suzanne Simard
Tech Times

June 27, 2026

How ‘Mother Trees’ Nurture Our Forests
Suzanne Simard
Inside Climate News

June 29, 2026

Warming streams are pushing young salmon beyond their limits: new research
Scott Hinch
UBC

Posted in: In the Media Monthly, News
Tagged with: Forest Sciences, In the Media, media monthly

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