When I tell people I’ve recently started a new role as lecturer and coordinator for UBC’s Master of International Forestry (MIF) program, one of the first questions I get is, “what exactly is international forestry”?
There are a number of issues that have brought forests and forestry squarely into the international realm, all of which I find incredibly interesting and engaging, and have led me to devote my career to this area of study. Whether it be migratory species that depend on forest habitat in multiple countries as part of their journey, or the integral role that forests play in regulating the earth’s climate, there is no doubt that international cooperation is required in order to adequately address these issues.
In addition, the companies involved in the forestry industry, as well as in sectors like agriculture that compete for land use, move easily around the world, along with flows of investment capital. Global patterns of consumption and associated supply chains also know no bounds, and have huge repercussions for forests.
In response, in the past few decades, a complex patchwork of international and regional agreements and institutions have been developed to try to address forestry as an international issue. There has never been so much attention paid to forests at this level, and yet, the world’s forests are in trouble. We are facing simultaneous and compounding crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, and millions of forest-dependent people remain in poverty. We know that the factors that are driving these crises are complex, global, and multi-faceted. We know that if managed correctly, forests offer hope and solutions to these problems.
The nexus between international agreements and domestic law and policy is increasingly recognized as key to their effectiveness, and yet implementation remains a weakness. While countries are often willing to sign on to lofty international goals, they may be reluctant to give up autonomy over policy making, or forgo politically popular development opportunities. So it is essential that we understand this part of the system.
Some forest-related issues are being dealt with by many, if not most countries in the world. So “international forestry” is also about countries collaborating on issues that are of common concern. We can compare approaches between jurisdictions, share expertise and lessons learned, and build capacity. Development programs may be designed to improve forest management, or reduce the impact of other sectors, like agriculture and mining.
The world desperately needs more people that are capable of understanding and engaging with these complex issues, which defy conventional academic silos, and this is where the Master of International Forestry program comes in. The MIF program has curated a selection of courses and experiential learning opportunities designed to prepare students to meet these challenges. Having spent more than twenty years working in this field, including for the UN, the Government of British Columbia, and several non-governmental NGOs, I’ve developed a good idea of what the associated job landscape looks like, and what students need to succeed, and I’ll be bringing this to the classroom, as well as identifying internship opportunities.
UBC is well situated to deliver this program. Canada, and BC in particular, provides a microcosm in which we can examine many issues of international concern, including the paradigm shift towards forest management that prioritizes ecosystem health, climate resilience, and biodiversity values, and the increasingly important role that Indigenous peoples play within all of this.
Within an hour’s drive of Vancouver, we can see examples of Indigenous-led and community-based forest management, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and transboundary conservation initiatives in action. The campus is surrounded by mature second-growth forest, and one of the world’s most important salmon-bearing estuaries. All of this is located within the traditional, unceded territory of the Musqueam people, who maintain an active and vibrant presence.
The issues that fit under the umbrella of “international forestry” are complex and many, and present endless opportunities for students to learn, become involved, and create professional networks. I’m excited to welcome the new MIF 2023 cohort, and to meet the many alumni that have gone on to do great things in this field.
Author: Peter Wood
Lecturer and Coordinator, Master of International Forestry