I am the program director of the UBC Faculty of Forestry Bachelor of Urban Forestry. I am very involved in many aspects of the undergraduate program including teaching or co-teaching (UFOR100) Greening the City, (UFOR220) Urban Forest Inventory and Assessment, and (UFOR110) Introduction to Urban Forest Design, as well as leading Field Camp and the Urban Forestry Capstone Course. Like most people, my love of trees stems from multiple sources, including growing up next to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario. While walking through the Carolinian Forest with the odd tree labeled so that passersby could identify the species, I took the opportunity to understand and appreciate the vast diversity of species present. Eventually this interest led to summer jobs and later a career in urban forestry. I have been involved with various aspects of urban forestry in both professional and academic contexts, including working as an urban forester for the Town of Oakville, Ontario, and later as an environmental consultant, where I worked on multiple large scale projects. My educational background includes an undergrad in Geography, post-graduate diploma in Environmental Management, a course based masters in Environment and Sustainability, and a PhD in Urban Forestry. My past research interests explored the role of native species and other urban forest issues on municipal planning and resident attitudes, actions, and knowledge. My current research is mostly pedagogical in nature, exploring the educational leadership components of urban forestry. I keep an open-door policy, and encourage students to seek guidance on cultivating their urban forestry interests and future career paths.
Younes Alila received his B.A.Sc. (1985), M.A.Sc. (1987) and Ph.D. (1994) from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of the University of Ottawa. From 1992 to 1996 Younes worked full time as a Project Engineer for the Greater Vancouver Regional District while finishing part-time his Ph.D. program. His M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. research work is on regional hydrology with a main focus on the transfer of information related to low-flows, floods and precipitation from gauged to ungauged sites. He took up his current position in forest hydrology and watershed management in the Department of Forest Resources Management in February 1996.
Younes current research program addresses a number of problems related to watershed management using an approach that combines experimental, theoretical, stochastic, and deterministic hydrology across a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. His research focuses on the understanding and modeling of the physical basis underlying the “nonlinear nature” of hydrologic processes as affected by the geometric, temporal and spatial scaling of stream networks, precipitation dynamics, soil characteristics, land use and land cover. Younes research program is designed to provide scientifically-based information, knowledge and expert advice that promote sound policies, solve urgent operational problems and provide a solid foundation on which to build sustainable forest and water resources management in British Columbia.
Projects
Forest Managment and Hydrology in the Southeastern BC: Moving Beyond Equivalent Cut Area (ECA)
Testing Current Watershed Assessment Procedures and Developing a Decision Support System for Forest Watershed Management
Effects of Forest Management on Streamflow Regimes in Different Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia
Use of Distributed Hydrology-Soil-Vegetation Models to Address Forest Management Issues in British Columbia
Use of Models to Better Understand Hydrologic Processes and Design New Field Experiments
Long-Term Numercial Simulation Approach for Quantifying the Potential Effects of Forest Management on Watershed Hydrology
Awards
UBC Killam Research Fellowship 2004 Canadian International Development Agency Scholarship – CIDA (1981 – 1991) Editors’ Citation for Excellence in Refereeing for Water Resources Research 2003 Harvard University Young Scientist Travel Award 2001 BC Center for International Education Travel Award 1998 Ph.D. Thesis Nominated for the Governor General of Canada’s Annual Award 1994 Dean’s Honour List – Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa 1985
Our lab seeks to understand the population genetic structure of temperate and boreal trees, and the evolutionary dynamics that have resulted in that structure. We are particularly interested in the extent of local adaptation to climate in tree populations, the phenotypic traits and genes involved in local adaptation, and the capacity of those populations to adapt to new climates. To investigate this question we are using genomic tools as well as phenotypic data from common gardens and controlled environment experiments. We also infer the phylogeography, demographic history, and levels of gene flow of these populations using a variety of selectively neutral genetic markers. Finally, our work is applied to guide genetic conservation and management strategies for our forests. Our research is funded through Genome Canada, Genome BC, the Forest Genetics Council of BC, Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
AdapTree: Assessing the adaptive portfolio of reforestation stocks for future climatesCurrent July 2011 – June 2014
The primary objective of this large-scale genomics project funded by Genome Canada, Genome BC, Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions and the Forest Genetics Council of BC is to improve provincial seed transfer policy and operational forest management response to climate change by: 1) comparing the adaptive portfolio of operational seedlots from tree breeding programs and seed orchards to the climatic distribution and landscape genomics of natural populations; 2) developing strategies for operational seed transfer that will reduce the risk of loss of forest productivity and health due to maladaptation in planted forests; and 3) evaluating ecological, economic, social, and legal implications of these results for forest-dependent communities and ecosystems. In the process of meeting these objectives, we are learning a great deal about the genomic basis of local adaptation in conifers, microevolutionary processes in conifer populations, and the capacity of these populations to respond to climate change through adaptation and through phenotypic plasticity.
Awards
Canadian Forestry Scientific Achievement Award, Canadian Institute of Forestry 2009 UBC Killam Teaching Prize 2010 IUFRO Scientific Achievement Award 2014 Wall Scholar, Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies 2014
Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada 2017
Genome BC Award For Scientific Excellence, Life Sciences BC 2018
Scholarships totaling approximately $15,000 are awarded annually to one outstanding student in each of the Faculty of Forestry’s Professional Master’s programs (MGEM, MIF, MSFM, and MUFL). Eligibility criteria include high academic standing, as well as demonstrating exceptional engagement and leadership within their cohort.
Congratulations to the 2022/23 recipients of the Binkley Family Graduate Scholarship:
MGEM
Melissa Birch: MGEM is thrilled to announce Melissa as this year’s recipient of the Binkley Family Graduate Scholarship. Her academic success is evident through her participation in class and office hours, and through continually asking questions that demonstrate deep understanding of the material. Melissa highlights leadership through empathic listening, ensuring that all voices get heard, and advocating on behalf of her classmates. Melissa is understanding, compassionate, open-minded and approachable. She fully embodies what is means to be a Binkley Award Winner.
MIF
Rory Read: Unanimously selected by the faculty of MIF. Rory achieved the highest program-wide GPA average among his cohort. He has demonstrated a diversity of leadership styles, all of which advance the inclusivity and cohesion of the MIF family-style cohort. He brings creativity and critical perspectives to the learning environment, constructively challenging his colleagues. Leading from the front, leading by interrogating consensus, leading by eliciting the inputs of others, leading by aspiring for betterment of his colleagues and for their contribution to society, are all ways in which Rory deserves the prestigious Binkley award.
MSFM
Pauline Flottat: Pauline is a model for professionalism in the MSFM program and exemplifies the qualities of Binkley award recipients. She emerged as a clear leader through high academic achievement combined with productive engagement in all class and team activities which addressed the complexities of forest management.
MUFL
Clara Jeanroy: Clara joined our Master of Urban Forestry Leadership program while finalizing another master’s degree. Despite these challenging circumstances and heavy workload, Clara has remained engaged, positive, and kind. She maintains a high-grade point average while contributing to a collegial classroom environment. Her questions are thoughtful and encourage us to look deeper into how urban forestry can contribute to better city life. She brings a love of learning to the classroom that inspires us all to embrace the complexities of urban greening and aspire to do our best.
Interested in this Scholarship?
Learn more about all the scholarships available to our Graduate students:
Quantitative analysis of complex forestry datasets in various areas: tree improvement, tree plantation, experimental trials, permanent sample plots (PSPs), fertilization trials etc.
Educational research on subject-specific teaching evaluation and identify effective implementation plans.
Effectiveness of open sources for teaching and learning geospatial data analysis using Python.
Quantifying quality control tool based on machine learning approaches
Meta-modelling and meta-analysis of tree mortality, damaging agents (rust), tree growth and yield, tree fertilization
Modelling and forecasting improved genetics
Projects
Hybrid Teaching and Learning Pilot Project Current March, 2021 – August, 2021
Awards
2020 Natural Sciences Education Outstanding Reviewer, Natural Sciences Education, American Society of Agronomy
Best poster award, 3rd prize, UBC, Faculty of Forestry 2015
Brenda Hanson Memorial Scholarship, UBC, Faculty of Forestry 2015
Mary and David Macaree Fellowship, UBC, Faculty of Forestry 2013
Wilderness Foundation Africa Representativewith Wilderness Foundation Africa Association in Vietnam
I’m excited to return to Wilderness Foundation Africa as a Wild Rhino Representative and Project Coordinator for my fourth Coop term. As the only member of this South African organization who’s working in Vietnam, I have learned how to work independently and responsibly. Because this is my second term in this position, my responsibilities have increased from establishing new connections, outreaching, and hosting school events to also include initiating new projects such as developing educational materials, hosting more formal seminars, training volunteers, and kickstarting a new comic book for Wild Rhino. Working for an NGO has taught me to become a Jack-of-all-trades and enhanced my ability to be flexible and adaptable. Everything that I do for Wild Rhino is to raise awareness about the rhino poaching crisis and to stop the demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, especially Vietnam. The Forestry Coop Program has provided me with the opportunity to reconnect with the NGO that guided me to conservation in the first place as well as to gain work experience in Vietnam, my hometown.
Summer Camp Leader with North Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association in Vancouver, BC
During my first Co-op term I have been working with the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA), and most closely with VanDusen Botanical Garden as a Summer Camp Leader. The VBGA was founded in 1966 by a group of activists hoping to preserve natural green spaces in a sprawling urban environment. As a Summer Camp Leader, I have been able to utilize my understanding of key plant species of British Columbia, to help educate youth about the importance of appreciating and respecting natural ecosystems of our province. During each week of camps, I help to organize and run a fieldtrip for the all the campers to visit Bloedel Conservatory where they can learn about many tropical plants and birds. The Forestry Co-op program has provided me with the key foundational skills to help me successfully enter the work force. It has been an amazing way for me to apply my academic knowledge in a workplace setting.
Farm Hand with North Shore Neighborhood House in North Vancouver, BC
During my co-op work term, I have been working as a farm hand at the Edible Garden Project. My responsibilities include helping with farm tasks such as watering, harvesting and processing as well as helping to teach and coordinate volunteers in helping with these farm tasks. I have learned a lot about how to smoothly coordinate volunteers and communicate instructions and information to others. Thanks to the support of the EGP, I have also been working on other creative projects such as making a series of fundraising veggie pronoun pins that help make the farm a more inclusive community. Through this opportunity, I have been able to learn more about how non-profit organizations work and how to engage with dedicated volunteer communities, and I look forward to applying these skills in my own career.
Summer Program Coordinator with Burns Bog Conservancy in Delta, BC
Summer Program Coordinator at Burns Bog Conservation Society. I have been in charge of planning weekend tours, summer camp learning materials, an open house for the society and educational workshops. I love working with kids and the environment so getting the chance to teach kids using nature as a classroom during the summer camp has been a great opportunity. I have also had the chance to improve my event planning skills while also building by knowledge about bog ecosystems! Being a part of co-op gave me this unique chance to get hands-on experience with the kind of work I’ve been wanting to do and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the rest of this work term.
The Faculty of Forestry Student Services is hiring 2 Forestry Peer-Assisted Study Session (PASS) Leaders for the 2023-24 academic year (September-April). Please see the attached job description for more details, and apply by Sunday, April, 16th (deadline extended).
