Pamela Wright, Associate professor in Ecosystem Science and Management at UNBC is being awarded the Mitacs Award for Exceptional Leadership for her conservation work in Northern BC.
“It’s always nice to be recognized for your research,” said Wright, “but what’s special about the Mitacs award is it recognizes these collaborative networks with the community, students and the mentorships that goes along with developing students.”
She is one of eight professors chosen from across Canada, a virtual ceremony will commence today (Tuesday) to present the award.
Wright was chosen for the award after conducting research within different community organizations over the last decade.
“I study ecological systems across really large landscapes, particularly in Northern BC,” said Wright, “I work on developing tools to identify, conserve and connect critical areas for Biodiversity.”
Mitacs is a non-profit that works with over 70 different post-secondary schools in Canada to fund students’ engagement in their studies with community organizations.
Wright and a number of Mitacs interns are currently working with different Indigenous organizations and conservation groups to create new conservation planning tools to be utilized in areas of Northern BC impacted by climate change.
“There are two aspects that I work on, one is ‘what’s the human footprint?’ from both resource development and recreation and tourism,” explained Wright, “I also focus on identifying the most important places for conserving biodiversity and thinking about how climate change affects those kinds of things.”