Dry farmland in BC. Credit: Julia Smith
August 25, 2023
Land and food systems professor Dr. Sean Smukler said no one grasps the fact that if we don’t deal with climate change now, the next generation can’t deal with it.
“We are facing a climate emergency and we’re pretending like it’s something that’s for the next generation to deal with,” said Smukler.
Raccoon sticking its tongue out
August 14, 2023
Professor Dr. Sarah Benson-Amram (forestry; science) and graduate student Hannah Griebling (forestry) are looking to learn more about how raccoons’ brains work.
“We are very interested in trying to understand how raccoons are able to live in cities alongside people, and we think that cognition, or their intelligence, may be one of the main reasons why they’re so successful,” said Benson-Amram.
If you are interested in volunteering your yard, email urban.wildlife [at] ubc.ca
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Retention forestry in a Douglas-fir forest on Vancouver Island, in which 40 mature living trees were retained per hectare. (Government of British Columbia),
August 7, 2023
Forestry professors Drs. Cindy Prescott and Sue Grayston say forest-harvesting practices that retain living trees throughout the harvested area sustain belowground life.
“Half of the biodiversity in forests is unseen because it lives belowground.”
Emergency Room Sign
July 24, 2023
Jennifer Black commented on a study that found children without a reliable food source make more visits to doctors and emergency departments.
“The toll food insecurity takes on families is clear,” Dr. Black said.
Image of some food on a grill. Photo credits: UBC News
July 21, 2023
Enjoying food outdoors with family and friends is a quintessential summer activity, but foodborne pathogens can thrive in the summer heat and humidity.
Dr. Siyun Wang, a food safety researcher and professor in the faculty of land and food systems, shares her top tips for safely consuming our favourite foods this summer.
A wild bat is pictured at Vanier Park in Vancouver on July 11.(Gian Paolo Mendoza/CBC)
July 24, 2023
Researchers Dr. Matthew Mitchell (CSFS Associate and Land and Food Systems) and Aaron Aguirre (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability) are monitoring bats in B.C. to protect them from white-nose syndrome.
Image of two people working at the UBC Farm (Photo Credits: UBC Farm)
July 14, 2023
Director of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems and Land and Food Systems professor Dr. Sean Smukler said we need to start investing in infrastructure for B.C.’s future climate.
“The challenge is that we need to start building the infrastructure for the climate of the next 30 to 100 years,” he said. “The public needs to understand the need to invest tax dollars in these projects so our kids can have local fruit and vegetables.”
Two women look at Montreal’s Jacques-Cartier Bridge through the smoke caused by wildfires in Northern Quebec on June 25, 2023 (Photo credit: Andrej Ivanov/AFP)
July 11, 2023
CSFS Associate Dr. Matthew Mitchell was interviewed about how wildfire smoke can have both acute and chronic health effects on wildlife, similar to humans.
“There’s a whole suite of chemicals in the smoke that can affect gas exchange in the blood, lower the lung capacity of animals,” said Dr. Mitchell. “Even marine mammals such as whales and dolphins can be affected by the smoke when they come up to breathe.”
July 5, 2023
There are a lot of beautiful dining rooms in Vancouver, but this time of year none can compete with BC’s many naturally spectacular outdoor settings. From long table dinners to more casual al fresco events, Scout Magazine has compiled a list of six memorable opportunities to enjoy eating outside this summer, including the UBC Farm’s Long Table Dinner on July 21.
Tickets for our Long Table Dinner are currently sold out, but you can still join the waitlist. Additional tickets may be released!
June 15, 2023
CSFS Associate Matthew Mitchell (land and food systems) commented on how wildfires affect Canada’s wildlife.
“It can affect their lungs, it can change blood chemistry, lower oxygen levels, and so then you can also have effects on the immune system,” Mitchell says. “Those sorts of things can lead to changes in the demography, or the survival, growth and reproduction of animals as well.”