Student Assistant at Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Vancouver, BC, Canada
For my first Co-op work term, I am working as an undergraduate research assistant at the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. While one of my main tasks is fire patrol, in this position every day is different. For example, I also conduct silviculture surveys and stream assessments, map cutblock boundaries and retention zones with GPS, and do road and cutblock layout and trail maintenance. I have learned many new skills including how to create maps on ArcGIS with data I’ve collected, and I have become proficient in operating wildland firefighting equipment. Overall, this position has been a great introduction to a variety of forestry work from biology and silviculture to operations, engineering and GIS, and I am very grateful for having the opportunity to work directly with and learn from so many industry professionals this summer.
