Strategic Plan 2025-2030 –– Transformative. Environmental. Solutions.

DEAN’S MESSAGE >>>

Transformative. Environmental. Solutions. Towards a Sustainable Future The Strategic Plan laid out in the following pages follows on the heels of some major changes at the UBC Faculty of Forestry. In the fall of 2024, we introduced the Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship and simultaneously launched a streamlined degree structure to enhance the student experience, transitioning many of our former undergraduate degrees into majors under the umbrella of a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources. We have also dramatically expanded our Micro-Certificate offerings for continuing education, launched the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, bolstered our international research profile, witnessed recordsetting undergraduate student enrolment, and grown our graduate offerings, among other accomplishments. Building on this momentum, our Strategic Plan offers a guidepost, informing our approach and decision-making as we continue to renew and reimagine the Faculty of Forestry moving forward. The Faculty of Forestry continues to expand beyond a focus on resource management and use to a more collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to natural resources scholarship. Within the context of a rapidly changing, hyper-connected world, it is imperative that we continuously reflect and critically assess our role in shaping not only the landscapes and communities that we call home, but those that form part of an interconnected, international web of communities. Striking a balance between the needs of human societies and the natural world is both an opportunity and a challenge that the Faculty will continue to address through our thought-provoking and solutions-focused programs, research, and community engagement. Our Plan was formulated in consultation with our community of academics, senior leadership team members, staff, students, alumni, and other collaborators, with special thanks due to the UBC Strategic and Decision Support (SDS) team, who led these efforts and provided invaluable guidance throughout. In the Plan, you will note an emphasis on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, inclusivity, Indigeneity, and sustainability. These guiding principles are reflected in our present work, and we plan for their further enhancement in the coming years. It has been a great pleasure to work with and learn from the many people who helped to shape this Plan. On behalf of the Faculty of Forestry, thank you for your engagement, insights, and enthusiasm as we steer a course for the future. Rob Kozak Professor and Dean

Design Rationale: UBC Faculty of Forestry Strategic Plan 2025–2030

The design approach for the Strategic Plan is rooted in the Faculty’s core identity: Transformative. Environmental. Solutions. These guiding themes informed every visual and structural decision to ensure cohesion between message and medium.

1. Visual Identity and Tone

The design language emphasizes clarity, sustainability, and inclusivity—echoing the Faculty’s vision to “shape a sustainable, biodiverse, and inclusive future.” Clean lines, generous white space, and a grounded colour palette (inspired by natural elements like forest greens, earth tones, and water blues) signal the Faculty’s connection to land, ecological balance, and environmental stewardship.

2. Typographic System

The typographic hierarchy is structured for both readability and impact. A bold sans-serif is used for headlines and section markers, reflecting leadership and innovation, while a clean serif or complementary sans-serif is used for body copy to maintain legibility and professionalism across print and digital formats. Italics and bold are used intentionally to reflect areas of emphasis in the guiding commitments and values.

3. Imagery and Visual Elements

Photography and graphic elements prioritize representation, place-based storytelling, and Indigenous land connections. Portraits and landscapes celebrate the people, forests, and communities at the heart of the Faculty’s work. Visuals echo the values of Indigeneity, Collaboration, and Experiential Education, with preference given to real, candid imagery from UBC Research Forests, student fieldwork, and partner communities.

4. Structural Alignment with Strategic Workstreams

The layout of materials mirrors the four key workstreams—Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Experiential Education, Community Connections, and People & Wellbeing—using subtle colour-coding or visual markers to distinguish each section. This ensures the reader intuitively grasps the interconnected nature of the Plan while navigating it with ease.

5. Inclusivity and Accessibility

Design choices align with UBC’s accessibility standards. Clear contrast ratios, alt text-ready image placement, and mobile-responsive design considerations are embedded from the outset, reflecting the Faculty’s commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.