Urban Forestry University of British Columbia

Overview

The Urban Forestry programme at the University of British Columbia is Canada’s first undergraduate degree dedicated specifically to the planning and management of urban green spaces. This interdisciplinary course combines forest sciences with urban design to address the challenges of rapidly changing city environments. Students develop expertise in sustainability, urban ecology, and the preservation of nature within metropolitan areas.

Why Urban Forestry at the University of British Columbia?

Students benefit from a unique collaboration between the Faculty of Forestry and the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. The Vancouver campus is situated near the 750-hectare Pacific Spirit Regional Park and features the award-winning Forest Sciences Centre, which provides high-tech labs and wireless study spaces. Learning is further enhanced by access to three extensive research forests totalling over 25,000 hectares across British Columbia.

The curriculum offers opportunities to engage with professionals in arboriculture, urban planning, and engineering. Students can also choose to specialise their degree by selecting a minor in either Urban Greenspace Management or Landscape and Recreation Planning. International case studies and local field courses ensure that graduates possess both global perspectives and practical, hands-on experience.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 51041 per year
• National fee: CAD 6079 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Greening the City
• Urban Forests and Well-Being
• Arboriculture Principles and Practice
• Urban Forestry Field School
• Ecological Restoration
• Green Network Planning
• Soil Science
• Visualizing Climate Change
• Geographic Information Systems for Forestry and Conservation

Careers with Urban Forestry

Graduates are prepared for professional roles that address the increasing demand for sustainable city planning and green infrastructure. Potential career paths include working as a city forester, municipal arborist, or parks and recreation manager. Many alumni also find success as urban forestry consultants or green infrastructure planners, helping to make cities more livable through informed environmental decision-making.