Wildfire Solutions in BC
We invite the public to join us June 3-5, 2024, in Kelowna and learn about the stark realities of the societal, health, cultural, environmental, and economic costs of wildfires across British Columbia and the actions needed now.
This Symposium will bring together British Columbia’s leading wildfire experts and practitioners to highlight the urgent need to develop a transformative vision and implementation strategy for wildfires before it is too late. We will shed light on the profound impacts of wildfires and tremendous costs to the BC population, emphasizing that the 2017‒2023 fire seasons were not an anomaly but a new and escalating reality fueled by climate change.
Monday, June 3 | 7 pm
“Ashes to Action: Learning to Live with Wildfire” Keynote Panel – 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) | Free community event
Location: Kelowna Community Theatre, 1375 Water St, Kelowna, BC
Opening Remarks: Lesley Cormack (Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal, UBC Okanagan)
Panel: Dr. Lori Daniels (UBC Vancouver), Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais (UBC Okanagan), Joe Gilchrist (Salish Fire Keepers Society), Dr. Paul Hessburg (US Forest Service); Jason Brolund (West Kelowna Fire Chief)
Moderator: Chris Walker (CBC)
Tuesday, June 4 | 9 am – 7 pm
UBC Okanagan
Location: Room 201 of The Commons, 3297 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7
9:00 am
Welcome & Introduction
Syilx Elder (TBA) and Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais (UBC Okanagan)
9:30 am
Panel 1: Impacts of wildfire on water, carbon, forests and wildlife
Panelists: Mr. Jason Hwang (Pacific Salmon Foundation), Dr. Marc-André Parisien (Canadian Forest Service), Dr. Kira Hoffman (UBC-Vancouver and Bulkley Valley Research Centre), Dr. Adam Ford (UBC Okanagan)
Moderator: Dr. Jill Harvey (Thompson Rivers University)
11:00 am
Panel 2: Impacts of wildfire on human health, Indigenous culture, homeowners and economics
Panelists: Dr. Sarah Henderson (BC Centre for Disease Control), Ms. Angela Kane (Secwepemcul’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society), Mr. Robert Gray (R.W. Gray Consulting Ltd.), Mr. Don Iveson (Co-operators)
Moderator: Mr. Kevin Scott (RESOLVE Canada)
12:30 pm
Lunch (provided)
1:30 pm
Invited Guest Speakers: Transitioning wildfire from megafires to coexistence
Mr. Byron Spinks (Council Member, Lytton First Nation), Dr. Paul Hessburg (US Forest Service)
3:00 pm
Panel 3: Transformative solutions for all of society
Panelists: Dr. Lori Daniels (UBC Vancouver), Mr. Dave Pascal (First Nations Emergency Services Society), Ms. Stephanie Ewen (UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest)
Moderator: Dr. Susan Prichard (University of Washington)
5:00 pm
Happy hour
Join us to meet and chat with the speakers
Wednesday, June 5 | 9 am – 4 pm
UBC Okanagan
Location: Room 201 of The Commons, 3297 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7
9:00 am
Welcome & Re-introduction
Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais (UBC-Okanagan)
9:05 am
Reflections: Lessons learned and the way forward
Dr. Lori Daniels (UBC-Vancouver), Mr. Robert Phillips (First Nations Summit), Mr. Kevin Scott (RESOLVE Canada)
10:30 am
Political Panel 2:
Invitation to BC Political parties to address wildfire (TBA)
12:25 pm
Closing Remarks
Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais (UBC-Okanagan)
1:00 pm
Optional field trip
(box lunch and transportation provided)
Community Presentation “Ashes to Action: Learning to Live with Wildfire" - Free
- Monday evening keynote panel speakers at the Kelowna Community Theatre
- + UBC Alumni Event
Student Symposium Package Rate - $100
- Valid for Premium or Essential Symposium Package
Note: please use your student email address when registering
Essential Symposium Package Full Symposium Experience - $300
- Join us in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia
- Monday, opening evening keynote panel speakers at the Kelowna Community Theatre
- Two days of live panel presentations, with questions from the audience (Tuesday & Wednesday)
- Tuesday lunch, morning and afternoon coffee, and a happy hour reception to meet the speakers
- Wednesday morning coffee
- Access to the recorded panel talks on Tuesday to view anything you miss live for three months
Premium Symposium Package
Full Symposium & Field Tour Experience - $350
- Join us in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia
- Monday, opening evening keynote panel speakers at the Kelowna Community Theatre
- Two days of live panel presentations, with questions from the audience (Tuesday & Wednesday)
- Tuesday lunch, coffee, and a happy hour reception to meet the speakers
- Wednesday Coffee
- Access to the recorded panel talks on Tuesday to view anything you miss live for three months
Plus…
- Field tour on Wednesday afternoon to witness the impacts of wildfire and proactive management to improve forest and community resilience in West Kelowna
- Box lunch, snacks and transportation provided for the field tour