Principal Investigator
Tahia Devisscher
Assistant Professor
Climate resilience, human wellbeing, ecosystems health, nature-people relationships
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I am interested in how urban forests and other greenspaces foster human wellbeing and social-ecological resilience to climate change. I also study how ecosystems health and people-nature relationships can be strengthened through hyper-local greening actions and city-level transformations. Overall, the research coming from my team aims to support equitable nature-based solutions that can contribute to more resilient and healthier futures.
In most of my research projects, I apply interdisciplinary approaches by combining methods from quantitative modelling, remote sensing, and spatial analysis with participatory visioning, action-research, and arts-based qualitative assessment. I value the integration of different forms of knowledge and actively promote the incorporation of local traditional knowledge in my projects. To present, I have collaborated with Indigenous groups, local communities and associations, national and municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, and several research institutes in more than 20 countries across the world.
I completed my PhD at Oxford University as part of the Ecosystems Lab at the Environmental Change Institute after working for eight years with the Stockholm Environment Institute and three agencies of the United Nations. At the UBC Urban Forestry program, I coordinate the Urban Forests Research Hub, and have been an instructor of UFOR 220 Urban Forest Inventory and Assessment, UFOR 200 Urban Forest and Wellbeing, and UFOR 402 Urban Forest Governance.
Outside of work, you will find me in nature guiding a forest bathing session or outdoor yoga class, or hiking and dancing in the woods
E-mail: tahia.devisscher@ubc.ca
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tahia-devisscher-1ab12a133
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=zC_al0UAAAAJ&hl=en
PhD Students
Beth Turner
Social-ecological resilience, forest landscapes, community-based participatory action research
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I have a BSc in Biology and Environmental Science from McGill University, and an MSc in tropical biodiversity from Université Libre de Bruxelles. For some years between my Masters and PhD, I worked for the Nature-based Solutions Initiative at the University of Oxford. I am interested in exploring the social-ecological relationships that can help us understand and build long-term resilience. In my PhD, I am applying this to help in the process of creating an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area for the community of Manawan of the Atikamekw First Nation. It is a community-led collaborative project in which we explore how to weave together different worldviews and ways of knowing. I am based at the Université du Québec à Montreal and am a Joint Doctoral Research Scholar at UBC. I am also a recipient of a Doctoral Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
In my free time, I am outside connecting with nature. My favourite is to hunt out those rare pockets of the world where there are no cars to be heard!
E-mail: cbeturner@gmail.com
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=O0VvodUAAAAJ&hl=en
MSc Students
Anna Testorf
Social-ecological systems, stewardship, implementation science
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Anna holds a bachelor’s in conservation, ecology, and evolutionary biology with a minor in Korean from the University of Washington in Seattle. She’s worked on conservation projects with both penguins and grizzly bears, but has also done work in the psychology department with the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapies. Now Anna uses her experiences to understand how we can work with people and communities to better foster ecological and conservation initiatives. Her current work focuses on the stewardship of nature-based solutions within urban settings.
Outside of work Anna will be found rock climbing, skiing, or participating in any outdoor activity available to her. When she happens to be home, you might find her painting or playing a plethora of instruments from the piano to the penny whistle.
E-mail: atest26@student.ubc.ca
Ben Scheufler
Urban biodiversity, bioacoustics, spatial ecology, landscape connectivity
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Ben Scheufler is an MSc student in Forestry at the University of British Columbia, working jointly with the RISE Lab (Dr. Tahia Devisscher) and the M2L2 Lab (Dr. Matt Mitchell). He holds a BSc in Natural Resources Conservation (Global Perspectives) from UBC (2023) and has worked across multiple campus units, including the SEEDS Sustainability Program, Sustainability Hub, Biodiversity Research Centre, and UBC Botanical Garden. His research focuses on urban biodiversity, using bioacoustics and spatial analysis to examine landscape sharing versus sparing and the effects of public and private governance on urban ecosystems. Ben is particularly interested in how cities can use data-driven approaches to better understand and manage urban ecological systems.
Outside of work, I like being outside—hiking, running, skiing, and traveling when I can. I also play music and take photos, usually of birds, insects, or whatever I happen to come across.
E-mail: bscheuf@student.ubc.ca
Emmett Lawrence
Fire ecology, urban forestry, strategic planning
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I grew up on a small island in the San Juan Archipielago of the Pacific Northwest. Much of my youth was spent exploring and playing the coastal forests of my island home. I went on to study environment science at the University of Washington. After University I went to to become a certified arborist. Connections in the arborist world led to my participation in tree canopy research and trainings with Latin American biologists in Colombia, South America. I am currently part of the Transfor-M program. Last year I studied in Sweden, this year is in Vancovuer.
My hobbies include oil painting, hiking, surfing, and woodcarving.
E-mail: emmettlawrence25@gmail.com
Finn Koepf
Climate mitigation, regulating services, canopy interception, urban trees
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I am a UBC Masters student continuing research from my undergrad capstone project looking at different ecosystem services and how they relate to one another. I also work as a data collector and analyst for the UBC Tree inventory project as well as a TA for the UFOR220 inventory course. Additionally, I lead guided educational tree walks for campus faculty staff, students, and visitors as well as presentations for the Biodiversity Days and Friends of the Garden events hosted by the UBC Botanical Gardens and SEEDs.
In my free time, I enjoy almost every board sport, but especially skateboarding. I also love to express myself through photography, drawing, and cooking.
E-mail: finnkopf@student.ubc.ca
Roberta Gonzalez
Urban forests, wildlife habitat, ecosystem services, biodiversity and acoustic monitoring
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Roberta has a Bachelor of Urban Forestry degree with a minor in Landscape and Recreation Planning from UBC. She is currently pursuing her M.A.Sc. in Forestry, studying how socio-economic factors influence the composition of private urban forests and how these impact bird populations throughout the city. For her research, she will be using audio recorders to detect bird diversity and abundance across a gradient of different social backgrounds in Vancouver.
Outside of work, Roberta enjoys growing houseplants and loves to paint!
E-mail: rgonza1@student.ubc.ca
Research Assistants
Aidan Rankin
Geospatial analysis, social-ecological systems
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I completed the Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM) program in 2025, where my project involved modelling human and wildlife movement across the UBC campus to identify overlap and prevent conflict. In the RISE lab, my current work explores factors that motivate community participation in urban green infrastructure, and the contributions of forest therapy guiding to human wellbeing. Before UBC, I earned my BSc in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology from the University of Toronto, and worked there in the Map and Data Library on historical GIS projects.
In my free time I like movies, skiing, climbing, and continental philosophy.
E-mail: rankinai@student.ubc.ca
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-v-rankin-bb5949244/
Mercy Babatunji
Urban forests and human health/ wellbeing
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I have a background in Environmental Forestry and urban forest management. With plans to pursue a PhD in forestry, my research interest is exploring the role of urban green spaces in enhancing human health and well-being. I aim to co-create liveable and sustainable cities by collaborating with NGOs, community initiatives, and other stakeholders.
Children, Art and Volunteering form my basic interests. I currently volunteer at The Acalypha Child-Care Initiative, an NGO that deals with Children’s rights and educational advocacy.
E-mail: mercy.babatunji@ubc.ca
Visiting Students
Yu Cao
Ecosystem services, supply-demand mismatch, spatial analysis
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I am a PhD student in Land Management at Zhejiang University, currently participating in a one-year exchange program funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). My research focuses on multi-scale ecosystem service analysis to understand supply-demand mismatches, identify socio-environmental driving factors, and develop sustainable land-use optimization strategies.
I enjoy hand-knitting ropes, walking while taking photographs, and spending time near water, which I find relaxing and inspiring.
E-mail: caoyu98@student.ubc.ca
Former Members
Aubrey Benson
Urban ecosystems; ecosystem services; ecosystem disservices
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Aubrey’s research focuses on the role of urban vegetation in promoting sustainable urbanization and creating flourishing communities. She grew up in Portland, Oregon and earned a BS in Ecological Restoration at the University of Montana. Later, she completed a MSc in Forestry in the Urban Ecology & Sustainability Lab at UBC, where she studied thermal dynamics of residential landscapes.
In her free time, Aubrey enjoys exploring the city and the mountains.
E-mail: adbenso@student.ubc.ca
Kylie Clark
Mini forests, community, climate resilience
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Kylie Clark (she/her) is a Master’s of Community and Regional Planning graduate researching the intersection of climate resiliency, community, and environmental justice. With an Honours Bachelors of Art (Architecture) from the University of Toronto and over 5 years’ professional experience working in Canada and Southeast Asia, Kylie brings a design-based perspective to her research. She is driven by the motto “think global, act local” and aspires to collaborate with communities to co-create policies which are local in nature but global in impact and inspiration. Kylie’s research looks at re-wilding small urban spaces using Miyawaki method mini forests to improve urban green equity, build community, increase environmental stewardship and community ownership, and support climate resilience in priority neighbourhoods.
Outside of work, you can find Kylie going for long walks with her rescue dog, Millie, or spending hours in a thrift shop finding pieces to re-work on her antique sewing machine. She is also an avid yogi, baker, and traveller, having travelled to over 32 countries and counting.
E-mail: kyclark@mail.ubc.ca
Caroline Kuhn
Urban environment, climate resilience, inclusive communities
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Caroline is a research assistant in the RISE lab at the Faculty of Forestry. She is an experienced architect and urban planner, holding a MSc in Urban and Regional Planning from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Her research focused on balancing the lifestyles of traditional fishery communities with the preservation of National Parks.
Caroline has collaborated with city councils and provincial governments to develop Community Plans, Social Housing policies, Regional Plans, and censuses of precarious settlements. She has also designed social housing neighborhoods. Over 17 years, she has held various teaching positions at renowned universities in Brazil, teaching architecture and urban planning students.
Currently, Caroline is enrolled in the Urban Studies program at UBC to gain Western and Canadian perspectives, but she is moving to the Master’s in Community and Regional Planning at SCARP/UBC in September 2025.
Outside of work, Caroline enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the landscapes of Vancouver and its surroundings, and practicing hiking, yoga, drawing and cooking.
E-mail: ckuhn02@student.ubc.ca
Jennie J. Zhou
Climate resilience, nature-based solutions, urban design
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I am in the final year of my BSc Double Major in Environmental Sciences and Political Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC). As a Mitacs Accelerate grant recipient, my work with the RISE lab currently explores the advancement and mainstreaming of mini forests within the Canadian national context. From 2022 to 2023, I was a Catalyst Student Fellow as part of the Climate and Nature Emergency Fellowship Program at the Peter Wall Institute of Advanced Studies. This interdisciplinary background has drawn my research and professional interest to topics such as nature-based solutions, urban ecology, and community engagement, whilst grounding my work in a framework of climate and social justice.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring my creativity through mediums such as oil painting, sketching, and collaging. Since moving to Vancouver, snowboarding has also become a new hobby of mine!
E-mail: jenniejz@student.ubc.ca