The University of British Columbia Okanagan and the Cheakamus Community Forest – Whistler present a scholar-practitioner workshop on the theme of Wildfire Resilience in Times of Uncertainty. This is a two-day workshop that seeks to bring together the public, municipal officials, academic researchers, practitioners and Indigenous land stewards to discuss a range of issues relating to wildfire risk and management in Whistler and, more generally, in BC.
The workshop will include a keynote address, a series of presentations by academics and practitioners, a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session on Whistler’s wildfire risk management, a field trip to one of Whistler’s fuel-thinned areas, and a series of ‘lightning talks’ and small group discussions.
Presentations and discussions at the workshop will reflect on questions such as:
- What is uncertain in terms of how we manage landscapes that burn?
- What are the social, economic and political uncertainties surrounding wildfire management, and how do these intersect with the diverse and shifting expectations of different stakeholders and First Nations?
- What are some gaps in our knowledge of wildfires, and what sort of research and collaborations are needed to address these gaps?
- How might interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations help us grapple with uncertainty?
Workshop Format
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025
- 8.30 am – 4.15 pm for the day session
- 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm for the evening panel session: The past, present and future of wildfire risk reduction in Whistler & the Cheakamus Community Forest featuring Dr. Lori Daniels, Nick Soverel, RPF (Frontera Forest Solutions), Abe Litz, RPF (Chartwell Resource Group Ltd.), Dr. Luisa Burhenne (RMOW Manager Climate & Environment), and Dr. Rhonda Millikin
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- 8.30 am – 4.00 pm
This workshop is free to attend, but registration is required. Registration opens March 17.
- Coffee and lunch will be provided on both days.
- If you require accommodation, a group rate is available from the Aava Whistler. Book before April 7 to secure the group rate.
- Heather Beresford (Cheakamus Community Forest) and Dr Adeniyi Asiyanbi (UBCO)
Sponsored by
- Living with Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Excellence Cluster, UBC Okanagan
- Cheakamus Community Forest (Resort Municipality of Whistler, Squamish Nation, Lil’wat Nation partnership)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada Insight Development Grant in support of Dr Adeniyi Asiyanbi’s work
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Strategic Development Fund, UBC Okanagan
- UBC Okanagan Principal Research Chair, Dr Onyx Sloan Morgan