Alex Fraser Research Forest – UBC
In my second co-op term with the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest, one of my main tasks was Douglas fir beetle probing. Douglas fir beetle is a bark beetle that attacks and kills mature Douglas firs in the IDF forests. I surveyed attack areas and recorded the numbers of attacks and severity of such attacks. Eventually, these attacked trees containing live beetles will be either logged or sanitized to prevent the spread of the insect. Some of my other tasks included slash burning, skid trail layout and VRI plots surveys. This co-op term was extremely rewarding, as it gave me an insight look as well as hands-on experiences on common forestry practices in the winter season in the Cariboo and Chicoltin areas. I was also given great resources to learn the science and rationales behind these practices.
