City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1482923
How did you find your way into studying urban forestry? Samuel Zhang: When my family moved from China to Vancouver in 2011, we were immediately captivated by the beautiful urban forest. Most of my weekends were spent exploring trails in Pacific Spirit Regional Park or walking in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Botanical Garden. To me, the urban forest is far more than just a collection of trees and plants. I believe it is an essential part of the urban system that creates unique habitats while providing a diverse range of physical, social, and environmental benefits. This passion of mine eventually led me to study in the Urban Forestry program at UBC's Faculty of Forestry in 2017. Please tell us about your work life since graduation. What do you like doing most? I started working in the City of Surrey, BC Urban Forestry Section in May. I spend most of my time working across different parks in Surrey with a crew of passionate, nature-loving individuals. Our crew spe- cializes in natural area operations, which can range from removing invasive species in critical habitats to cutting down danger trees in parks. I absolutely love being outdoors, and my favorite task is to prune black- berry bushes on native tree planting sites to free the trees! Working for the City also provided me with many learning opportunities such as native and inva- sive plant identification, power tool training, and how to respond to public inquiry and service requests. As a new graduate just joining the workforce, I feel very privileged to be working for the City. I am a bit nervous but also very excited as I apply my urban forest knowledge to practical real-life situations. Our parks and natural environment are extremely valued and appreciated by the public, and more people are real- izing the importance of a healthy urban forest every day. I will continue to do my best to share my passion and to maintain the beautiful urban forest we all love. Would you share a tree story? My most memorable tree story took place in the City of Surrey's Crescent Park. A big Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) fell across the pond after an intense storm at the end of May. The tree was so massive that it knocked down a mature cedar right in front of it, and it narrowly missed an alder and a pedestrian bridge on the other side of the pond. Our crew removed the major branches of the spruce and felled the alder, as it was a danger tree. A new habitat corridor was created now that the massive trunk of the Sitka spruce makes it possible for animals to cross freely over the pond, from one forested area to another. What do you like to do in your free time? During my free time, I love to visit parks and beaches. I particularly enjoy watching birds and observing other wildlife. I also volunteer at the Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy shelter. Fun fact? I graduated from elementary school twice in one year, as elementary school ends in grade 6 in China, but grade 7 in Vancouver. And now I am about to do the same with university! I graduated from my master's program in May, and I am about to grad- uate a second time this year in November from my urban forestry undergrad program. This is because UBC didn't have an in-person ceremony last year and they are offering a make-up ceremony this fall. Samuel Zhang with sea turtles in Hawaii in 2019. urban-forestry.com 35