UNBC Forestry Club Podcast

In this episode we do a deep dive into Hengda's and Adam's paths to forestry, what it's like living in a small town in BC, and the extensive benefits of being a forester. Hengda and Adam share their stories of working in the field and a little bit about why they are so passionate about forestry. They also share a bit of advice to new students and those who are at the beginning of articling to become an RPF.

In this on the road episode we are joined by Mauro Calabrese. Mauro shares his insight on balancing being both a biologist and a forester. From starting out in wildfire, Mauro found his calling in forestry, and eventually got dual accredited and ended up working as both a biologist and forester for West Fraser. He shares his insight on area-based tenure and how he feels it is the future of forest practices. Mauro talks about being a young forester starting during the uncertain times of the early 2000s in the midst of the mountain pine beetle epidemic.

On today's episode we dive deep into the world of the Office of the Chief Forester with our guest Shane Berg. Shane is the Chief Forester of BC and he brings over 30 years of experience as a Registered Professional Forester. From starting out as a silviculture technician to eventually becoming the Chief Forester of BC, Shane has lots of stories to tell and experiences to share. Shane tells us about the Office of the Chief Forester and its roles in BC's forest industry. He also shares his advice for young foresters entering the forest sector in times of uncertainty.

In this episode we get a deep dive into the life of a forestry student here at UNBC, what the forestry club is all about and what its like to be the president of the UNBC Forestry Club. Aubrey talks about his personal experiences as a student and shares insightful advice for young students just starting out their education.

In this episode we interview Colin Chisholm about his experiences working in forestry, teaching at UNBC, and recently stepping into the role of managing the Aleza Lake Research Forest. He shares his stories of what led him from managing tree planting projects to managing a research forest. The UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing in professionals from different fields to chat about forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC.

From trying everything I could to get out of the Forestry Field School at UNBC to recommending it to all forestry students, NREM333 is one of my favourite courses I've ever taken at UNBC. What makes this course unforgettable isn't just the field skills you will learn, but the exposure to different values and how they want their forests to be managed. Roy and Dexter started to co-teach the course 20 years ago. Their passions and experiences have influenced generations of foresters who practice professional forestry in BC and worldwide. John Prince Research Forest is also raising money for the new building construction to improve the learning experience for students, researchers, and other professionals. You can click the link below or go to the UNBC donation page to support them.https://www.unbcgiving.ca. Who knows if this is the last episode of the UNBC Forestry Club Podcast. But I know we got so much love support from so many people so I thank you for spending time listening to this fully student run project.

Jennifer Gunter is the executive director of the BC Community Forest Association. Community forests are commonly found around the world. Jennifer joined us in this episode to discuss the critical role of community forests in BC forest management. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

The Honourable Ravi Parmar joined us in this episode to discuss his vision in the forest sector in BC. He shared how his ministry deals with duty and tariffs from the US. He also addressed some criticisms of being a young forest minister and his plan when different nations share diverse land management objectives. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

The guest for this episode is Dr. Malcolm Cockwell, RPF. Malcolm is the Managing Director of Haliburton Forest, a 100,000-acre private land located in central Ontario. People go to Haliburton for outdoor recreation, but they also log their forests too. Malcolm unfolded the mystery of how they achieve co-existing between operational forestry and eco-tourism in this episode. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

The guest for this episode is Norah White, the Deputy Chief Forester of British Columbia. We discussed the evolving landscape of forest management in BC. We dove into the Chief Forester’s Office role, the path to becoming a Deputy Chief Forester, and the challenges of balancing ecological conservation with industry demands. Norah shared insights on old growth management, the implementation of Forest Landscape Planning (FLP), and the future of sustainable forestry in the province. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Kurt Niquidet is the Vice President and Chief Economist of the Council of Forest Industry (COFI). He joined us in this episode to discuss the importance of the forest industry to the provincial economy, the impact of incoming tariffs from the States, the role of the BC Timber Sale (BCTS), the value-added sector, tenure reform and many more. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support. (00:00) Intro(04:13) BC Forest Economy (09:05) Incoming 25% Tariffs from USA(15:00) BCTS Under Review (23:32) Is the value-added sector the future of the BC forestry industry?(36:59) Is the BC forest industry highly subsidized?(40:09) The Complexity of Forestry and How Economics Can Help?(42:17) Is Small-Scale, Community-Owned Forestry Industry the Future?(47:41) Raw Log Export (51:15) How to Balance the Diversed Value BC Forest Provides?(56:24) Investment Climate in the Forest Sector in BC(59:16) How Do We Diversify Forest Economy?(1:03:12) BC Forest Carbon Accounting (1:06:38) Is Selective Logging the Future?(1:14:40) Tenure Reform(1:20:57) Create/Amendment/Remove One Policy in Forestry(1:23:36) Messages for Forestry Students

In this episode, Dennis Loxton shares his incredible journey from tree planting to pioneering sheep-based vegetation management in BC's forestry industry. He explains how grazing sheep helped control competing vegetation, reduce reliance on herbicides, and overcome challenges from forestry policies and predators. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support. (00:00) Intro (00:02:12) From Wool Classer to Tree Planter to Shepherd (36:43) Sheep Vegetation Management Photos (55:14) Roundup Herbicide Replaces Sheep Grazing (1:14:54) Sheep Vegetation Management at Stewart, BC (1:21:00) Future of Sheep Vegetation Management? (1:25:34) Guard Dogs Stories (1:31:00) How Do We Bring Sheep Back? (1:51:31) Outro

Daniel Persson is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and the Forestry Superintendent at Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation (CCR). He has a lot of forestry experience, having worked in Sweden and British Columbia. Daniel joined us in this episode to chat about the differences between Swedish Forestry and BC Forestry and some cool rehab projects that CCR is doing. Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

The podcast welcomes Dr. Che Elkin, a professor at UNBC, to discuss the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) trial and whether we should actively manage British Columbia's forests for climate change.UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC.The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

Glyphosate-based herbicides are widely used in agriculture and forestry, but their long-term effects on biodiversity, human health, and ecosystems remain a topic of debate. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Wood explores the science behind glyphosate, its impact on plant and microbial communities, and ongoing research into its persistence in the environment. Join us as we dive into the complexities of herbicide use, alternative forestry management strategies, and the evolving conversation around sustainability and policy.UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC.The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

<p> Dr. Iqbal is a professor at the School of Engineering and a professional engineer (PEng). He joined us to discover the fascinating world of engineered wood products like CLT, LVL, and Glulam. We dove into sustainable construction, fire and earthquake-resistant wood structures, and how innovative practices are shaping the future of eco-friendly buildings. Join us for an engaging conversation blending engineering, forestry, and cutting-edge research! 1</p> <p> UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. 2</p> <p> The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support. 3</p>

Dr. Michael Preston is a biologist, ecologist, and assistant professor at UNBC. During this episode, he unpacks how forest management, wildfires, and sustainable practices impact soil health and carbon storage. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

From arriving in Canada with just $25 in his pocket to building one of the largest value-added industries in Canada, John Brink shares a lifetime of wisdom and innovation. In this episode, we explore the highs and lows of BC’s forest industry, tackle the challenges of sustainability, and uncover the secrets behind creating value in an ever-changing landscape. He also shares his plan to purchase tenures and sawmills in Vanderhoof, Huston, Bear Lake, and Fort St. John. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

Jason Fisher is a registered professional forester who also went to law school and practiced law for a couple of years. He has a stunning resume working in both private and public service sectors. He's now the executive director of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC as well as the instructor for the FSTY408 - Forestry Policy course at UNBC. UNBC Forestry Club Podcast is a fully student-run project focusing on bringing professionals from different fields to chat about Forestry, nature, and experiences at UNBC. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Thank you for your support.

Explore why students choose forestry as a career path, from a love of nature to a desire for impactful work. Hear their stories, challenges, and unique opportunities in sustainable forest management. The UNBC Forestry Club Podcast focuses topics on BC forestry, nature, and life at UNBC as students. We hope to drop a new episode every week, so please subscribe and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. They mean a lot for us. Thank you.