Event Recap: Symposium & Workshop on Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Agricultural Landscapes 

The Symposium on October 16th featured four keynote speakers and nine IBioS faculty. The speakers explored the concept of coexistence from different perspectives, behavioural models/methods to understand Human-Wildlife Conflict, and how cultures and values influence agricultural landscapes. The Symposium was followed by a reception at which graduate students and postdocs presented their research.

The next day, invited experts joined the Symposium speakers for a workshop. The attendees addressed questions about what is known about agricultural diversification and its relationship to human-wildlife conflict/coexistence, identified research gaps, and developed next steps for further research.

In total, over 100 participants joined the Symposium & workshop, and we would like to thank everyone for their interest and engagement in making it a success!

The Symposium & workshop were both supported by a UBC Grant for Catalyzing Research Clusters (GCRC), titled “Collaborative Coexistence for People and Nature.”

Negotiation to Innovation: Advancing Climate Action Through Research and Learning

Join the Substainbility Hub at UBC Vancouver campus to meet UBC’s virtual COP30 delegation and convene with UBC partners during presentations, panels, and workshops about COP30 action agenda items.

Wednesday, November 12 | 11am - 5 pm Location: Ponderosa Commons North 

Learn more & register here.

As part of this event, IBioS is organizing a roundtable on Climate Change, Food Security, and Biodiversity with IBioS Members Dr. Kai Chan, Dr. Tahia Devisscher and Dr Navin Ramankutty.

Time & Location: November 12 | 2:30 - 3:45 pm | Ponderosa Commons North #1003

The discussion will highlight how shifts in climate influence the stability and sustainability of our ecosystems. Speakers will discuss the complex interactions among ecological systems, land use, and food production, exploring how nature-based solutions can mitigate climate impacts.

Discussion: AI and the Politics of Extraction

Thursday, November 20th, 2025 | 2 - 3:30 pm Location: Royal Bank Cinema, Chan Centre

Featuring IBioS Member Dr. Hamish van der Ven, the panel will explore questions around the implications of AI for climate justice, the governance of AI and protection of users, and which beneficial models of AI could and should be explored.

Learn more & register here.

Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Sayer for receiving the 2025 International Forestry Achievement Award!

IBioS Member Dr. Jeffrey Sayer was the recipient of the 2025 International Forestry Achievement Award which recognizes individuals who have made unique and outstanding contributions or achievements in international forestry. 

Read more here.

Congratulations to Dr. Monika Fischer for receiving the 2025 Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund Award!

IBioS Member Dr. Monika Fischer is one of 31 UBC researchers who have received this award to advance their innovative research programs.

Project: Fire fungi ecology & genetics lab. 

Read more here.

After the flames: How fire-loving fungi help forests recover

As British Columbia faces increasingly severe wildfire seasons, new research at UBC is revealing the hidden helpers at work underneath the ash. IBioS Member Dr. Monika Fischer studies pyrophilous fungi—fire-loving organisms that thrive in burned landscapes and may play a crucial role in helping forests recover.

Read the full article here.

Food Security: Nigeria Collaborates With Expert On Fisheries

This article highlights the partnering of Nigeria with IBioS Member Dr. Rashid Sumaila to address challenges affecting food supply and fish sufficiency in the Gulf of Guinea. The meeting aimed to develop strategies to enhance food security and promote sustainable fisheries in the region.

Read the full article here.

130 species in Southern Ontario at risk of local extinction by 2050 if no new actions taken

This article highlights a new study which shows 98% of species in decline in the Lake Simcoe-Rideau ecoregion could disappear by 2050 without action, but targeted strategies offer a clear path forward. Featuring insightful comments by IBioS Member Dr. Tara Martin. 

Read the full article here.