Sara Barron is equally passionate about trees and people. And as the recipient of the Future Forest Fellowship, she is dedicating her PhD research to both these passions.
Her research, which began in May 2013, focuses on the ways suburban forests can help communities mitigate and adapt to a changing climate, and how an understanding of related social preferences can influence the achievement of future resilient, low-carbon communities.
“If people live in denser neighbourhoods, it has a whole host of benefits. For example, it leaves more land for natural environments which can mitigate the effects of climate change,” says Sara, who is placing equal weight on the science and the social issues of a neighbourhood.
“In my experience with community engagement projects, I have learned that if people don’t like it, they won’t do it, regardless of what the research says,” she says. “Social systems and cultural preferences are incredibly important in determining what our neighbourhoods look like.”
These original ideas have earned Sara the Future Forest Fellowship, the world’s largest scholarship for forestry. It was created by a private Canadian foundation to draw attention to how forestry research impacts global issues.
The fellowship assured Sara of $60,000 per year for three years, with an additional fourth year if required. Sara’s research proposal beat out applicants from a number of countries including Poland, India, Iran, Brazil, the US and the UK.
“Receiving this award has been amazing, and a huge honour,” she says. “It’s a confirmation that the things I care about are also things the Faculty cares about. These are important issues for now and for our future.”
Sara received her Masters of Landscape Architecture at UBC and a BA in Geography from SFU. She has received the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Award of Merit, Masuno Travel Award, and Governor General’s Academic Medal, among others.
The Future Forest Fellowship is a clear expression of the impact of philanthropic support on graduate-level research. The Faculty is deeply grateful to the private foundation that made this landmark contribution.