The Root of It

From wildland firefighting to wildfire research, Dr. Kira Hoffman has spent her career understanding our relationship with fire. On this episode of The Root of It , host and Dean of UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Rob Kozak speaks with Kira, a renowned Canadian wildfire ecologist at UBC's Centre of Wildfire Coexistence and 2026 National Geographic 33 Honouree, about her journey from g...

To mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, this episode explores a decade-long partnership between UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and Lil̓wat Nation. Hosted by post-doctoral fellow Dr. Tonya Smith, this conversation features Kwiwks Eliza Peters and Koskas Billy Da of Lil̓wat Nation as they reflect on ten years of building a relationship grounded in trust, re...

What can fungi teach us about the hidden systems that keep forests alive? In this episode, Dean Rob Kozak sits down with mycologist Dr. Monika Fischer to explore her unconventional journey from professional chef to academic. Together, they uncover the remarkable world beneath our feet: how fungal networks connect forest ecosystems, cycle nutrients, and help landscapes recover after wildfire. Dr. F...

The world is at a defining moment. The climate is warming at twice the global average. In Canada, wildfires are devastating communities. Ecosystems are under strain. Species loss is accelerating. Meeting this moment requires more than traditional forest management — it calls for stewardship of entire ecosystems. Forests are inseparable from water, biodiversity, climate, communities, and economies....