Funding for Silviculture Surveyor Training, Workshops, & Post-Secondary Micro-credentials
Grant Summary:
Project Title: Funding for Silviculture Surveyor Training, Workshops, & Post-Secondary Micro-credentials
Recipient: Sarah Jane Lynch
Region(s): North Coast & Nechako
Awarded Amount: $12,175
Project Period: 2025
Description: The individual has an interest in understanding current challenges and gaps for innovative silviculture in BC and contributing to a collaborative solution. Grant funding will support the individual to gain a deeper understanding of silviculture in BC through attendance at conferences, workshops, field tours and micro-certifications offered by the UBC Faculty of Forestry. The funding will enhance the grantee’s ability to work independently as an accredited surveyor and provide expertise to research projects, forestry businesses and/or governments.
Halfway Reporting:
The following is based on halfway reporting by the grantee.
August 5, 2025
Group photo of the attendees of the 5 Day Advanced Silviculture Survey Course (Photo by Hillary Wallis)
I have been using the grant money to further my education and training for my work. I have taken Co-management of Natural Resources through UBC to help better my understanding and knowledge of working with Indigenous communities. This course was very beneficial as I learned a lot about Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples and the conflicts over resources. Through the beginning of the course I learned how to hold space for people to tell their story and to express themselves without dismissing their views or opinions. I gained an understanding for how to hold a conversation where people can share their ideas and build together instead of criticizing each other. The course instructor would have weekly zoom sessions where all the participants could reflect and discuss the week’s lessons. I read a lot about Canadian history and the ongoing injustices towards Indigenous peoples that are still occurring. I completed this course and received four certificates for the four modules.
I attended the Silviculture Accreditation Exam in April, and was very pleased with passing the exam. I decided to take the 5 Day Advanced Silviculture Survey course as I was nervous about taking the exam without having a refresher on the legal aspects of surveying. I was very glad that I did take this course as I learned a lot and found that it was very beneficial to me for my work as well as for the accreditation exam. I took my course and exam with John Wallis in Sorrento, BC and learned a lot about survey aspects in BC that are outside of the areas I
generally survey. John was a great instructor and went into detail about the silviculture survey manual as well the ground surveys themselves. I intend to take more courses with John next year as I felt it greatly improved my work as a surveyor as well as my knowledge. I intend to take Reforestation Recommendations, Introduction to Soil Disturbance, Multi-story and Layered Surveys, and Forest Health for Silviculture Surveyors through John Wallis.
Unfortunately due to the registration deadline and the timing of the grant, I was unable to take the four other university courses I had listed out in my budget for this spring. There is a registration for the courses in fall which I can apply for and complete by the end of the year. I am excited at the opportunity to take these courses and learn more about the current work I do. The course I am most excited to take is Forest Health Management, as I have spent a lot of my summer learning more about Forest Health and have noticed its impact more significantly over the years due to our droughts.
I will be attending the Northern Silviculture Committees Fall Field trip this fall and I am excited to meet with people while looking at new research and projects that are being displayed.