“ Giving to a greener future

The education that I received from UBC Forestry put me in the position that I am in today. What I learned has been foundational to my career and life, and I would like to support that opportunity for other students, particularly those who are underprivileged and cannot really afford post-secondary education.”

– Bruce Blackwell of B.A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd.

While around one-third of our funding comes from government grants, and another approximately one-third from student tuition fees, UBC Forestry relies on the generosity of donors to make possible enhanced educational experiences for students, bursaries for individuals in need and funding for cutting-edge research and equipment.

Whether you give a little or a lot, every donation counts! Here are a few ways to support the work of UBC Forestry students and faculty, and a greener future for us all:

• Give through securities, such as stocks, bonds, shares and mutual funds (when gifted, the capital gains tax is eliminated)

• Make a gift for the future through an estate gift in your will

• Give in memory of someone special through a memorial gift

• Become a monthly donor and help provide stable funding

• Set up an endowment to provide lasting support for an area important to you

• Create an annual or endowed student award

• Choose UBC Forestry as the beneficiary of your retirement assets (RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs)

• Donate real estate or personal property, such as works of art or collections

When you give to UBC Forestry, you benefit by knowing that you are supporting positive change. Research also shows that prosocial spending is correlated with happiness. In short, giving is good for you and the planet we all depend on.

Please get in touch with our philanthropy experts to learn more:

Emma Tully Assistant Dean, Development, Alumni and External Relations

Office: 604-822-8716 emma.tully@ubc.ca

Anna Horváth, MA Associate Director, Development

Office: 604-827-2314 anna.horvath@ubc.ca

A winning mindset drove 2023 Alumni Builder Award recipient Reid Carter to excel and give back Reid Carter (BSc’79, MSc’83) has never shied away from a challenge, especially when the potential of a future payoff was high.

I wanted to support the Conservation Decisions Lab because I believe this approach is one of the best opportunities we have to optimize the protection of species and habitats.”

“I’m not comfortable with failure,” admits Reid. “I’ve always assumed that it’s only a matter of time until somebody tapped me on the shoulder and said: ‘you know, you’re a very nice guy, but we don’t need you anymore’. And that has kept me running really hard my whole life.”

Growing up near the forest in West Vancouver, Reid developed a deep love for the outdoors, whether it was hiking, racing bikes, mountaineering, rock climbing or skiing. With devoted parents cheering him on and encouraging him to give back to his community, Reid also felt a sense of responsibility to make them proud.

No stranger to putting in long hours and pivoting when necessary to achieve academically and professionally, Reid always kept his sights firmly set on his goals.

At UBC Forestry, Reid completed a Bachelor of Science in forestry in 1979 and a Master of Science in Soil Science in 1983, as well as received his RPF accreditation.

UBC Forestry Prof. Dr. Hamish Kimmins helped Reid land a job with Dr. Karel Klinka, also a UBC Forestry Prof., “who was a spectacular forest ecologist with the BC Ministry of Forests Research Program,” says Reid.

“That experience got me very involved in the operations of forest ecology. I was able to work with really smart, passionate people who shared my curiosity at UBC Forestry.”

Reid’s studies opened the door to a forest ecology project that resulted in him being part of the team that developed the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification system – a hierarchical forest management tool that organizes ecosystems by location and region – and one that is still in use today.

“That was at a time when you went through ecology to be a conservationist, and much of the work was trying to understand which species grew and in what combinations; why certain species grew in different locations; why productivity varied by location; and how all of this related to soils, site quality, moisture and light,” recalls Reid.

Reid later ran a research program at UBC Forestry and developed novel methodologies for forest management decision-making, species selection, fertilization, genetics and understanding how many of these factors interacted.

A winning attitude, and crossing paths with the right people at the right time, buoyed Reid throughout his sometimes stressful and hectic career.

Working for a time as a forest ecologist, silviculturist and decision-maker for Fletcher Challenge Forests, Reid then pivoted to become a Forest Products Analyst with National Bank Financial. Up until his semi-retirement, Reid was a Managing Partner with Brookfield Timberlands Management and Brookfield Asset Management Inc., and President and CEO of Acadian Timber Corp. He now holds Directorships with several notable companies, including West Fraser, Semios, MakeSpace and Cross Country British Columbia.

“I’ve been very fortunate in many ways; and, because of that, I’ve chosen to be a significant investor in UBC Forestry in the area of conservation, particularly UBC Forestry Professor Tara Martin’s work,” says Reid.

“I wanted to support Tara’s Conservation Decisions Lab because I believe her data-driven approach, which combines identifying threats to species loss, along with management strategies and costs, is one of the best opportunities we have to optimize the protection of species and habitats.”

Reid has also given back to his alma mater as a guest lecturer in the Master of Sustainable Forest Management program and forest economics classes, while also participating as a member of UBC Forestry’s Advisory Council for around 15 years.

In 2023, Reid received an Alumni Builder Award in recognition of his considerable contributions to the forestry profession and UBC Forestry. Established in 2017, the award goes to UBC alumni who have significantly supported the university and enriched the lives of others.

“I am humbled by this recognition,” says Reid. “It has been my pleasure to give back to UBC Forestry and support some of the incredible work underway here.”

Learn more at: alumni.ubc.ca/alumni-builder-awards

Sue Watts: 50years at !

After half a century among our Faculty ranks, we spotlight Sue’s legacy as she enters her well-deserved retirement

We would like to congratulate and sincerely thank Dr. Sue Watts for her almost 30 years of work as editor of Branchlines , probably the longest-running newsletter of any UBC faculty, and for her dedication and excellent contributions to UBC Forestry as a faculty member and lecturer. You’ve set the bar high.”

Sue edited Branchlines for 30 years

1989 2004 2010 2018

Sue Watts (MF’75, PhD’81) arrived at UBC Forestry 50 years ago with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Bangor University in North Wales, where she was the only female in her graduating class. Sue was drawn to UBC Forestry for graduate work in forest entomologymore specifically, to study blood-sucking flies - becoming only the second female to receive a Master of Forestry and the first to receive a PhD in Forestry. In 1982, Sue added an RPF to her list of credentials.

Having decided to stay on with UBC Forestry as a faculty member. Sue worked under six deans and three acting deans, and edited two editions of the Forestry Handbook for British Columbia, a Forestry Undergraduate Society publication first produced in the 1950s. In the late 1980s, Sue began a new role as Assistant Dean, External Relations, and was made responsible for creating UBC Forestry’s first newsletter, Branchlines

Branchlines was officially launched in 1989 under the leadership of then Dean Bob Kennedy. In the early days, it was a monochrome, tri-fold newsletter featuring one short research article from each of UBC Forestry’s three departments. All pre-print production was - and continues to be - handled in house. Distribution was by mail four times per year. Over time, Branchlines has continued to evolve, becoming a central communications tool for UBC Forestry that links alumni, researchers, educators and members of the public with the broadranging work of students and staff. Today, the print publication is distributed to over 7,000 individuals and organizations around the world twice per year.

Sue edited Branchlines for 30 years before stepping down from her administrative roles in 2019 to focus her time on mentoring and teaching communication courses to graduate students. Students and alumni may also remember seeing Sue walk the Forest Sciences Centre halls with her large chocolate Labrador at her side. She was the force behind the Dogs in the Workforce program, launched in 2016, that encouraged faculty, staff and graduate students to bring their dogs to work. Since then, over 80 dogs have been registered in the program.

Helping graduate students through her teaching and mentoring roles was something that Sue was always passionate about, and she says that this is also the hardest thing for her to step away from in retirement. However, she is quick to add that she will be happy to have more time to devote to her hobbies of perennial gardening and dog training, as well as to connect with old friends and new.

Dean Rob Kozak (BSc’88, PhD’96) says it best: “We would like to congratulate and sincerely thank Dr. Sue Watts for her 30 years of work as editor of Branchlines, probably the longest-running newsletter of any UBC faculty, and for her dedication and excellent contributions to UBC Forestry as a faculty member and lecturer. You’ve set the bar high.”

We spread our branches standing on your shoulders, Sue. Best wishes on your next adventures!

Read past issues of Branchlines: forestry.ubc.ca/news/branchlines