Meet Your Instructors

Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk

My name is Cecil Konijnendijk and I am a professor of urban forestry at the University of British Columbia. I am delighted to be one of the instructors of this course. I am a Dutch national who has lived and worked in different parts of the world, including in the Asia-Pacific Region (in Hong Kong and Pacific Canada). Urban forestry is my passion, and it has been for about 25 years. I am especially interested in the many relations between urban nature and urban people, as well as in the ways in which we govern and plan our urban forests. I have had the pleasure to teach students in many different countries, and am always excited to learn from my students about different experiences and perspectives. Urban forestry is full of interesting stories! You can read more about me by visiting my UBC profile (https://profiles.forestry.ubc.ca/person/cecil-konijnendijk/?login)

Dr. Lorien Nesbitt

My name is Lorien Nesbitt and I am an assistant professor of urban forestry at the University of British Columbia. I am very happy to be one of the instructors of this innovative online course. I am a Canadian citizen who has lived and worked in cities and communities all over Canada, including the Pacific Coast, the Prairies, Eastern Canada, and the High Arctic, and in Latin America. I began my career as a conservation biologist and climate change adaptation planner, and gradually shifted my focus to urban forestry as I became fascinated with urban ecosystems and societies. I am particularly interested in the complex relationships between urban nature and urban people, how urban forests affect our health, and whether we access and govern our urban forests in just and equitable ways. I have had the pleasure to teach and work with students from many different countries over the past decade and I am always keen to learn from their unique perspectives and experiences. I look forward to learning from you as well! https://profiles.forestry.ubc.ca/person/lorien-nesbitt/