Naturalist Society Establishes Student Award in Urban Forestry
A bequest from an avid birder and naturalist has established a new award for students in the Bachelor of Urban Forestry program, giving welcome surprises to its first two recipients.
Not Your Average ‘Small World’ Story
In August 2019, alumna Louise de Montigny (BSF 83, PhD 92) experienced a full-circle moment so full of coincidence and chance it felt more like a movie than reality. If there hadn’t been witnesses, you might even think she had made it up.
Alumni Keep It in the Family
Rick Girard (BSF 1992) and Shawna Girard (BSF 2018) are never at a loss for dinner-table conversation. Growing up in, studying, and working in forestry a generation apart makes for lively discussions.
Accomplished Alumnus is Still Planning for the Future
By the time you get to be 96 years old, it’s fair to say that you know a thing or two. For Faculty of Forestry alumnus Gerry Burch (BASc ’48), the list of things he knows is extensive: a brief conversation can touch on the history of forestry in British Columbia, the growth of the Faculty, and the importance of philanthropy.
How David Brand (PhD’85) Turned Adversity into Opportunity
David Brand’s career in forestry has been underpinned by a continuous desire for self-improvement and greater achievement. Since starting out in forestry 40 years ago, David has experienced the growth and recession cycles of the industry, but has adapted, grown and even risked his career at times as he has sought to re-invent himself in a never-changing world.
Forestry Field School Fund Helps Reduce Financial Pressure
Thanks to the support of alumni, foundations, corporate and other donors, this year five students were able to attend Field School with less financial stress and worry. But these five represent only a tiny percentage of students who attend Field School, many of whom are in financial need. Field School is an important milestone in a student’s forestry education. After three years of classroom courses in basic sciences, ecology, silviculture, hydrology, and much more, Field School moves the learning environment to the forest.
Donors Support Enriched Education Program on Haida Gwaii
The UBC Haida Gwaii Institute (HGI) offers third- and fourth-year students exceptional learning experiences in natural resources management, reconciliation studies, marine conservation, community resilience and more. The semester-long programs during the academic year allow students to earn credits while learning, living and volunteering in small, remote communities on Haida Gwaii, while the four-week summer sessions offer immersive classroom and field experiences.
Alumnus Leads BC-Based Consulting Firm
Summer jobs don’t often get much attention. For many students, they are a way to make money for the coming school year, and if they learn a thing or two along the way that’s a bonus. But for alumnus John Drew, a summer job changed his academic focus completely, leading him to eventually establish one of BC’s most successful forest management companies.
Second Future Forests Fellow Launches Research on Fire and Communities
PhD student Sarah Dickson-Hoyle is the second recipient of the Future Forests Fellowship, the largest award in the world for an incoming doctoral student in forestry.
The Future Forests Fellowship is made possible by a private Canadian foundation, which created it to draw attention to how forestry research impacts global issues. It is awarded to a student whose intended studies fit within one of the Faculty’s areas of excellence and who is starting their first doctoral degree.
Meet This Year’s Alumni Builder Award Recipient
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, alumni ubc created the Alumni Builder Awards in 2017. These awards recognize alumni who, in their own way, have made important contributions to the success of UBC and its alumni community. The Faculty of Forestry congratulates 2019 Alumni Builder Award recipient Bruce Blackwell BSF’84, MSc’89 whose professional career and volunteer contributions have enriched forestry, community and the Faculty.