News and Media

Magnifying glass and microbes

UBC Microbiology: Beneficial microbes protect plants from pathogen attacks

Beneficial microbes protect plants from pathogen attacks News Source: UBC Microbiology May 10, 2021 “Plants are a much more tractable system. We can make genetic and mechanistic advances very quickly and affordably compared to mice, which are more cost and labour intensive. We hope that this work will inform how animals, including humans, recruit beneficial […]
Farm landscape

Springer Nature: Are Small Farms Better?

Are Small Farms Better? News Source: Springer Nature March 26, 2021 “It is an important question to examine — more than 80% of the world’s farmers are smallholders and they constitute a large portion of the world’s poor and vulnerable populations.” – Dr. Navin Ramankutty Dr. Navin Ramankutty, CSFS Associate and Canada Research Chair in […]
Hops plant

The Globe and Mail and National Post: Nature’s assets and conserving 30% of Earth

Nature’s assets and conserving 30% of Earth by 2030 News Source: The Globe and Mail, National Post April 21, 2021 “How can we understand when we’re moving closer to or farther away from sustainability?” – Dr. Bennett The Globe and Mail highlighted a study by Dr. Matthew Mitchell, CSFS Associate and research associate at UBC’s […]
Sunflower

National Geographic: Breeding climate-resilient sunflowers

Breeding climate-resilient sunflowers News Source: National Geographic April 16, 2021 “It is a crop that’s very well suited for climate change, in part because you have the wild relatives, which give it options for creating more environmentally resilient cultivars.” – Dr. Loren Rieseberg Dr. Loren Rieseberg, CSFS associate and professor in UBC’s Department of Botany, commented on […]
Earth Day

Earth Day: How to Take Action + Educational and Indigenous Resources

Earth Day: How to Take Action + Educational and Indigenous Resources We are celebrating Earth Day on April 22! Read on for ideas on how to get involved, educational materials, and much more. Take Action Are you a student looking to get involved with sustainability initiatives? There are many groups on campus that may suit […]
Cacao beans

CBC: Chocolate might melt out of memory if we don’t protect pollinators

Chocolate might melt out of memory if we don’t protect pollinators News Source: CBC April 6, 2021 “To support pollinators as spring takes hold, plant pollinator-supporting gardens.” – Dr. Claire Kremen Dr. Claire Kremen, a professor at UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, says combing the yard for chocolate Easter eggs could one day be a […]
Ripening blueberries

Organic Science Canada: Wasps vs. Spotted Wing Drosophila

Wasps vs. Spotted Wing Drosophila News Source: Organic Science Canada Spring 2021 “Natural enemies that kill spotted wing drosophila may help to slow their growth and, in turn, reduce pressure on crops.” – Dr. Juli Carrillo and research team Dr. Juli Carrillo, CSFS Associate, has a research write-up on pages 25 and 26 of this […]
Evan Goh

BC Eco Seed Co-op: Meet BCESC Member Evan Goh of UBC Farm

Meet BCESC Member Evan Goh of UBC Farm News Source: BC Eco Seed Co-op March 30, 2021 “When I hold seeds that I have helped save in my hands, I feel an indescribable connection to the past, the countless generations of plants that led to this seed, and also a connection to the people who […]
Mango seedling

National Observer and The Star: Canada’s new laws for GMOs and gene editing

Canada’s new laws for GMOs and gene editing News Source: National Observer, The Star March 11, 2021 “Gene editing makes it easier to ensure an organism will have desirable traits than traditional breeding.” – Dr. Loren Rieseberg Dr. Loren Rieseberg, a professor in UBC’s Department of Botany, spoke about gene editing and developing gene-edited crops. Compared with […]
A bee on top of a purple flower.

News 1130: Don’t be tempted to garden early

Don’t be tempted to garden early News Source: News 1130 March 11, 2021 “All the organic junk in your garden is still useful for the bees.” – David Zura Dr. Risa Sargent, a professor at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, was recently interviewed about bees and gardening. She explains the rationale behind why […]