Kelsey Copes-Gerbitz

Student Profile:

Kelsey Copes-Gerbitz

PhD Student, Department of Natural Resources Conservation

Wildfire: Building Social-Ecological Resilience in the Williams Lake Community Forest Catastrophic wildfire is a major threat to both forest and human communities in the interior of British Columbia. Utilizing a mixed-methods, interdisciplinary research approach, this collaborative project with the Williams Lake Indian Band and the City of Williams Lake explores the historic, ecological and cultural role of fire in the Williams Lake Community Forest, located in Williams Lake, BC. Furthermore, this project will consider impacts of recent wildfire events on people's perceptions of wildfire, including potential causes and solutions to minimize the risk. The results of this research will be used to help develop socially and ecologically-appropriate strategies to enhance wildfire resilience at the community forest and in the wider region. Read more about Kelsey’s project here: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/campus-community/meet-our-students/copes-gerbitz-kelsey