New Forestry Program at UNBC

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 03:58 AM

Prince George, B.C. - UNBC is taking the lead in developing a new approach to forest management education that will be more responsive to students, industry, environmental change, and the needs of forest-dependent communities.

The new curriculum is being accompanied by a name change – from “Forestry” to “Forest Ecology and Management” – and a substantial increase in the range of course options available to students. New specializations include natural resources planning and operations, earth science, biology and conservation, forest recreation, business, global environmental change, and the social dimensions of natural resource management. The increased flexibility in the degree program has accompanied a reduction in the number of courses required by forestry’s national accreditation body.

“Over the past decade at least, the forestry profession had had to adapt to new realities,” says Kathy Lewis, a former BC Forester of the Year and Chair of Ecosystem Science and Management at UNBC. “For example, much more is being asked of working forest professionals, yet fewer students are entering the field. At UNBC alone, our enrolments in Forestry are currently only a quarter of what they were just five years ago. This is just not acceptable in a region that depends on sustainable forest ecosystems for maintaining cultures and economies. It is our location and our existing expertise at UNBC that has helped to shape our new curriculum.”

North-central BC is one of Canada’s most productive forest regions and forest exports continue to account for the greatest share of BC’s export wealth. The industry will remain a major economic driver, as new opportunities arise in areas such as bioenergy.

“Northern BC’s forests are a tremendous national treasure and we need to be leaders in teaching and research that recognize the role of First Nations and the effects of technology and climate change,” says professor Scott Green, a specialist on the effects of climate change on tree growth. “UNBC is the first university in western Canada to make such sweeping changes to its forestry curriculum.”

The new degree program officially takes effect in the fall.

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Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Andyfreeze on April 1 2008 8:05 AM

New programs at UNBC but less at CNC?

Posted by: Betterday on April 1 2008 9:30 AM

The title of the article is misleading. This is infact new ciriculum for the forestry program. Forestry has been available at UNBC since it opened.

Posted by: owl on April 1 2008 9:40 AM

The article clearly states that the forestry program at UBC has been losing students as have other forestry programs throughout BC and Canada. That loss has been rather precipitous, to say the least.

UNBC has decided to take a look at why and is adjusting their current program of studies to suit. It appears that the ABCFP has done the same.

From my understanding of the program at CNC, they have not taken that step. In fact, they have made very little movement over the last 3 decades from their original program of studies. CNC simply lacks the leadership which UNBC is displaying in this case as an example.

Posted by: owl on April 1 2008 9:43 AM

That should read "UNBC" not "UBC". Not that UBC is not facing the same problem. A calcified profession with their body of knowledge and work which needs to be done these days changing more rapidly than they care to support.

One certainly cannot accuse engineers of that.

;-)

Posted by: owl on April 1 2008 9:43 AM

or lawyers .... :-)

Posted by: rvuser on April 1 2008 10:05 AM

Thats great for forestry, but when you consider that the central interior is a major agricultural area and very little is being done by UNBC to study and promote this industry it make one wonder who is making the decisions. I understand that a 160 acre plot of land has been set aside in the Vanderhoof area for UNBC for the development of experimental agricultural projects. To-date, there does not appear to be anything being done.

IMO agriculture is an industry that will have increasing benefit for the area. With the help of the university and the college, research and development of businesses connected to agriculture will greatly help to diversify the economy of the central interior. Trees are not the only things that can be grown and harvested in this area.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on April 1 2008 10:21 AM

"..New specializations include natural resources planning and operations, earth science, biology and conservation, forest recreation, business, global environmental change, and the social dimensions of natural resource management.."

Now this is more like what I think UNBC should be doing. A little more tilt toward agriculture and UNBC will become a leader and an international powerhouse in the area of renewable resourses.

Posted by: northman on April 1 2008 12:00 PM

I would like to see some serious mining/geology programes brought in into the interior.

Posted by: owl on April 1 2008 1:00 PM

"central interior is a major agricultural area" ??????

Can you define "major" please.

BC's share of cattle receipts in Canada was 3.4% in 2005 for 6th place.

BC's share for
finfish, aquaculture - 46.8% (1st place)
blueberries - 49.9% (1st place)
cranberries - 55.9% (1st place)
grapes - 51.3% (1st place)
sweet cherries - 84% (1st place)
raspberries - 67.3% (1st place)

Close to half of BC agriculture receipts are produced out of around 8% of the landmass in the lower mainland and island.

So, how major is the cariboo, other than land mass?

That being said, I think we might need a bit of research into the economics of growing food locally, whether in the fields or under glass. So, the area that UNBC has is likely quite adequate for that.

But then again, I am not a farmer and my ignorance is likely showing.

So please come to my rescue and explain your perception of "major". More importantly, what kind of agricultural program that UNBC should be dealing with that Saskatoon, for instance, does not cover.

Posted by: rvuser on April 1 2008 1:46 PM

My reference to the central interior as being a major agricultural area was mainly suggesting the potential for agriculture. As you stated, much of the produce comes from the lower mainland and the island. If you consider the rate that the lower mainland is being paved over, we will soon be importing much of our produce.

Many owners of acreages and ranches do grow product for their own personal use. The current farmgate law does not allow them to sell unless they jump through the hoops. They need help meeting these demands and IMO, UNBC should be taking an active role in helping.

Saskatoon does offer many programs and research,however, it is in Saskatchewan and most people in that area do not think of the central interior of BC. BC to the easterner is the lower mainland or the Okanagan.

If you look at the history and development of the prairies, you will find that the areas north and east of Saskatoon were primarily deciduous and coniferous forest land, much the same as the central interior of BC. It has been cleared and turned into some of the best farm land in the country.

I believe that with the support of the university and with encouragement the local ranchers and farmers will take advantage of the land mass that you refer to. This area can become a major agricultural area. The Peace River area and north west Alberta are similar to the central interior.

Posted by: maritimer on April 2 2008 10:53 AM

"..New specializations include natural resources planning and operations, earth science, biology and conservation, forest recreation, business, global environmental change, and the social dimensions of natural resource management.."

This sounds a lot like a budget cut to me. Are they cutting forestry courses, and sending the forestry students to preexisting courses offered for their tourism and rec, planning and natural resources and environmental studies programs?

At the end of the day will there be less courses available?