On January 1, 2016, Dr. Phil Burton joined Dr. Tim Fahey as Co-Editor of the Canadian Journal of Forest Research. Phil, a Professor and Regional Chair at the University of Northern British Columbia at Terrace, is replacing Dr. Pierre Bernier. Dr. Bernier served as Co-Editor of CJFR for a number of years and we are grateful for his hard work and dedication to the journal. We’re pleased to welcome Phil to his new position and would like to introduce him to those of you who may not already know him.
Image: University of Northern British Columbia
Q: Your current research focuses on the adaptation of forests and forestry to a changing climate, and the recovery of forests after events such as wildfire, insect outbreaks, and mining. Tell us how you became interested in these issues.
A: I have always been interested in plant succession and forest stand development. While it is tempting to think of forests as a stable green backdrop to our lives, in fact they quite dynamic, especially during the early stages after disturbance. It is also in those stages that we can intervene and design the future forest through silviculture and ecological restoration.
Q: What motivated you to become a Co-Editor of the Canadian Journal of Forest Research?
A: It hadn’t crossed my mind until Pierre Bernier, the outgoing Co-Editor, invited me to consider the position. Further discussions with Bruce Dancik (Executive Editor-in-Chief for the CSP journals) and my Dean convinced me that this was a worthwhile and prestigious role to play as part of Canada’s scientific community.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this new position?
A: As an Associate Editor, I had always valued the opportunity to see a number of papers in my area of interest well before they were published. As Co-Editor, I now get to see the breadth of research being conducted under the broad umbrella of forest science, including trends in those projects and manuscripts that don’t meet the bar required for publication.
Q: In addition to your research you work with Indigenous and Settler communities, matching UNBC programs to post-secondary educational needs. How did you get involved with this work?
A: I currently serve as the Northwest Regional Chair for the University of Northern British Columbia, and am based at a small regional campus in Terrace, B.C. Our university has a strong regional delivery mandate, making a number of core and professional programs available to smaller communities in northern B.C. While I am keen to build a science program in northwest B.C., the programs desired by First Nations communities (in particular), span a wide range of disciplines.
Q: What do you think are some of the main challenges facing sustainable forest management and planning that we’re facing in the next 5 to 10 years?
A: I think an underlying tension remains unresolved, at least in Canada, between the forest products industry and the management of public lands for multiple values. Despite legislation and certification programs, I fear sustainable forest management remains more aspirational than descriptive. Forest management around the world is now also challenged to fully engage in the mitigation and adaptation options associated with changing climates.
Q: When you aren’t researching or planning new programs for UNBC what do you like to do?
A: My wife and I enjoy bicycle touring, which we try to do in conjunction with travel to conferences or vacation spots. We also have a cabin on 23 acres, where I have great fun developing new trails and building an adventure playground (with tree house, zip lines, suspension bridge) for our grandchildren.
