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 growing up in Smithers, B.C., to studying wildfire behaviour.Kira explores how fire shapes our forests, what happens when it’s kept off the landscape, and how Indigenous-led fire stewardship informs the way we manage wildfire today. She also reflects on recent wildfire seasons in B.C., the influence of climate change and what emerging weather patterns could mean for the summers ahead.From understanding the ecological benefits of fire to preparing for an uncertain future, this conversation explores how we can rethink our relationship with fire and learn how to live with it.

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, reciprocity and respect. Together, they discuss how Indigenous knowledge and western science can work together to support Indigenous food sovereignty, forest stewardship, community-led research and land-based education.From documenting traditional plant knowledge to creating opportunities for youth to reconnect with culture and the land, this episode highlights the power of long-term partnerships that are guided by community priorities and a shared commitment to future generations.

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. Fischer also shares insights from her work in the Fischer Fire Fungi Lab at the University of British Columbia, where researchers are studying the fire-loving fungi that emerge in the wake of wildfires.

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. Caring for one means caring for them all.That’s why UBC’s Faculty of Forestry has changed its name to the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.In this episode, we’ll unpack what environmental stewardship means — for Canada, for the world, and for the future of environmental leadership.