Dr. Rob Kozak
Professor and Dean, UBC Forestry
Diversifying the forestry profession can open doors to address changing local, national, and global needs and values.
Forestry experts are sounding the alarm amid mounting pressures from climate change, human activity, and competition for ecological services. Many call for the diversification of forest management to tackle the challenges facing the industry and planet head-on.
The profession of forestry is dynamic, multifaceted, and interdisciplinary. A natural and social science, it’s well-positioned to provide solutions to the problems of carbon pollution and environmental degradation.
Sustainable forest management can ensure the long-term protection of habitats for animals, plants, and riparian ecosystems. Wood-based cellulose and lignin bioproducts can store carbon while providing viable alternatives to fossil fuel-derived products.
A more holistic approach to forestry is needed, and one that places greater emphasis on tailored solutions — such as community forests and selective harvesting — in response to evolving societal values and environmental conditions.
Moving forestry forward
The University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Forestry is at the forefront of innovative research, teaching, and community outreach that’s ushering in a new era of forestry. Each year, professors instruct over 1,500 students from over 40 countries in disciplines as diverse as urban forestry, tall wood frame buildings, geomatics, international forestry, conservation, and the bioeconomy, to name a few.
Graduates gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become future leaders in their profession. They also receive insights into the co-creation of knowledge with Indigenous Peoples, civil society, government, industry, and other community partners.
Equipped with a deeper understanding, they’re poised to become the next generation of land stewards. The stakes are high with the ongoing climate emergency. Well-informed and innovative minds are needed to push bold and sustainable solutions ahead for our planet.
