Jeremy Shelford, BSF 2002
Why did you choose UBC Forestry?
My father was a professor in Agriculture at UBC and my mother was a teacher so there was never really any doubt about pursuing a post-secondary education – the question was more in what area. Also, both my parents had rural up-bringings and many of my early summers were spent working on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley, exploring the family ranch on Francois Lake and hiking around Vancouver.
Kate Bottriell, BSc 2003
What year did you graduate and from which program?
2003 – Natural Resources Conservation
Where did you grow up?
Stittsville, Ontario
Why did you choose UBC Forestry? And why the study of forestry?
I like the sound of the multi-disciplinary programme; the idea of studying biology, economics, sociology and policy all once really appealed to me as I thought it would be more useful/interesting than focussing on a single discipline. I was also keen to move to Vancouver.
Jeffrey Hayward, MSc(Forestry)’98
Why did you choose UBC Forestry?
A court injunction that closed logging from U.S. federal lands in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s really started my career rolling. I sought solutions that would drive environmentally and socially responsible forestry. By 1995 UBC had several faculty members focused on these issues. The prospect of studying forestry not far from my family and within a world-renowned and multi-disciplinary faculty was hard to pass up.
Natalie Swift, BSc(Nat Res Cons) 2010
I am currently working as a Forest Technician for a contractor in Quesnel, British Columbia. After working at the consulting firm post-graduation, I took a contract position as a pre-commercial thinning supervisor in New Brunswick to be closer to family.
Hauke Chrestin, MSc(Forestry) 2004
Today, I work as Senior Product Development Engineer for IKEA, a large international home furnishing company. IKEA is frequently ranked as one of the most attractive employers in Sweden and internationally. The company offers a wide variety of fields to work in and strongly supports their employees’ personal growth through internal training programs, the possibility to try different jobs and opportunities to work abroad.
Mark Feldinger, BSF 1983
I am currently Senior Vice President – Forestry, Environment and Energy with Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor). I have spent the past twenty-seven years with Canfor, starting out in Chetwynd and with time in Prince George and Fort St James over the years. Looking back, the roles have been varied; Forestry Technician, Forestry Supervisor, Divisional Forester, Assistant General Manager, Woodlands Manager, General Manager, Regional Manager, and Vice President-Manufacturing.
Christian Walli, BSF 1977
“It is thought that tree growing is synonymous to Switzerland, like chocolate or skying” and for Christian Walli, BSF’77, a love for forestry led him to a new country and to discover a more specific passion – urban forestry.
Emily Sunter, BSc(For Sci) 2015
As she approaches graduation, Emily’s final thought before leaving UBC Forestry is a huge thank you! “I will be eternally grateful for the respect and education I received, the conversations I’ve had, and the fun. It has been a long but amazing time in UBC Forestry!”
Bronwen Beedle, BSF 1974
Bronwen Beedle’s first words of advice to alumni and grads are “Everyone should be fired once in their life to learn how to pick yourself up and move forward”. She found herself in just that situation and moved from being fired to an impressive career with some of the proudest moments of her life.
Hanmin Dong, MF 1986
“Love what you do” – these words are Hanmin Dong’s advice for UBC Forestry students and alumni. With three degrees and a career focused on forestry, Hanmin has followed this advice. He believes that forestry isn’t necessarily a career you follow for money, so it is important that you have a passion for it.