Faculty of Forestry

Biodiversity highest on Indigenous-managed lands

More than one million plant and animal species worldwide are facing extinction, according to a recent United Nations report. Now, a new UBC-led study suggests that Indigenous-managed lands may play a critical role in helping species survive.

Jul 31, 2019

UBC scientists find high mutation rates generating genetic diversity within huge, old-growth trees

The towering, hundred-year-old Sitka spruce trees growing in the heart of Vancouver Island’s Carmanah Valley appear placid and unchanging.

Jul 8, 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals used for bone implants. Credit: Clare Kiernan/UBC

From foam to bone: Plant cellulose can pave the way for healthy bone implants

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and McMaster University have developed what could be the bone implant material of the future: an airy, foamlike substance that can be injected into the body and provide scaffolding for the growth of new bone.

Mar 19, 2019

Surveying the fury: drones count the costs of the 2017 B.C. wildfires

Researchers at the University of British Columbia are using drones to survey the aftermath of the 2017 wildfires in B.C.

Dec 15, 2017

Trees can make or break city weather

Even a single urban tree can help moderate wind speeds and keep pedestrians comfortable as they walk down the street, according to a new UBC study.

Jul 26, 2017

UBC researcher sees future for flax and hemp as particleboard alternative

Wood scientist Solace Sam-Brew envisions a future where Canadian homes are furnished with products made from flax and hemp.

Apr 10, 2017

UBC students step up to Ikea hacking

Wood science students at UBC have become Ikea hackers, transforming $20 Bekväm step stools into refined furniture pieces.

Apr 3, 2017

UBC PhD student recycles chopsticks for home décor startup

A research interest in bamboo and a love for sushi has inspired a UBC student to launch a line of home décor products made from recycled chopsticks.

Sep 15, 2016

UBC researchers use augmented reality to teach kids about climate change

While Pokémon Go has helped to bring augmented reality to everyday life, UBC researchers are using similar technology to teach high school students about climate change.

Sep 13, 2016

African bird shows signs of evil stepdad behaviour

An African desert-dwelling male bird favours his biological sons and alienates his stepsons, suggests research published today in Biology Letters.

Aug 24, 2016

UBC prof creates swimming buoy out of ‘nature’s foam’

UBC wood scientist Phil Evans has created a pull buoy for swimming out of balsa wood, a more environmentally-friendly material than the foam that is typically used.

Jun 29, 2016

The fight to keep a rare woodpecker in Canada

Nestled high in the remote mountainside trees of southern British Columbia, a rare bird is disappearing.

May 31, 2016 - by Corey Allen

Salmon smolts find safety in numbers

Using tags surgically implanted into thousands of juvenile salmon, UBC researchers have discovered that many fish die within the first few days of migration from their birthplace to the ocean.

May 9, 2016

First Nations artists use technology to carve out new business model

Local First Nations artists are working with UBC in the hopes technology can help carve out a new niche for their work in the art market.

Feb 1, 2016 - by Corey Allen

UBC students reproduce traditional wood finishes by B.C.’s First Nations

Chewing and spitting out salmon eggs wasn’t what Jun Lee and Vinicius Lube thought they’d be doing to complete a project in their wood finishing class at UBC.

Oct 22, 2015 - by Corey Allen

New UBC degree focuses on climate-proofing cities

With more than half the world’s population living in urban areas, cities need urban foresters who can deal with the unique challenges to help build sustainable, green communities.

Sep 24, 2015

Students dig deep into soil science with mobile game

Armed with iPhones, dozens of first and second-year students walk into the forest at UBC. The students are on a scientific quest to better understand the ground beneath them; learning about soil by playing a mobile game.

Aug 11, 2015

Gulf Islands plant evolves to protect itself from deer

A plant on BC’s Gulf Islands has genetically evolved to avoid being eaten by herds of hungry deer, according to UBC research.

May 27, 2015

Nicolas Feau and Richard Hamelin at the Harrison Mills poplar plantation.

UBC scientists uncover cause of tree-killing fungus

Forest scientists at UBC believe they’ve discovered the root cause of a deadly tree fungus: extra genes.

Mar 4, 2015

Not all Christmas trees are created equal

A UBC forestry expert on how to root out the right tree.

Dec 15, 2014