UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Post-secondary leadership in action at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum

When Carly Walters takes her seat on a panel at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum on Jan. 22, she won't only be representing herself, she'll be bringing a student perspective shaped by hands-on industry experience, academic research and an understanding of northern B.C.'s natural resources. 

Walters, a Master of Science student at UNBC, will be participating in the Building Talent and Innovation for B.C.'s Resource Future: Post-Secondary Leadership in Action panel which also includes senior academic and industry leaders.  

"I'm looking forward to sharing how working in industry has helped shape my career and provided me with the skills and experience to be successful in academia," she says. "I hope that this discussion will highlight how building skills, talent and innovation in post-secondary institutions and among early career professionals can support sustainable resource development and community resilience in northern B.C." 

Walters earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife in Fisheries from UNBC in 2022 and worked as an environmental technician before returning to university to continue her studies in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Graduate Program in 2024 where she is studying the effects of increased steam temperatures on the biology, distribution and movement of rainbow trout.  

"This research aims to improve our understanding of how salmonids may response to climate change induced warming and inform the management of rainbow trout fisheries," she explains.   

Her research project is funded Artemis Gold, managed by Trinity Consultants Canada as well as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Rio Tinto Canada Fund.

"My work has given me first-hand experience working directly with industry and post-secondary institutions both through my career and research at UNBC," she says. 

Simon Fraser University President Dr. Joy Johnson will moderate the panel at the Prince George Civic Centre. Walters and Johnson will be joined on stage by UNBC Provost Dr. Michel Beaulieu, University of British Columbia President Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Northern Lights College President and UNBC graduate Todd Bondaroff and Rio Tinto Director, Energy and Watershed Partnerships Andrew Czoenohalan.  

"Northern B.C. is at the centre of many of the resource opportunities shaping our province, and B.C.'s post-secondary institutions play a critical role in preparing the workforce the province will rely on in the years ahead," Beaulieu says. "Through research, industry partnerships and strong mentorship, UNBC students like Carly Walters are gaining the knowledge and experience needed to drive innovation and sustainability in the resource sector." 

Walters plans to highlight the importance of collaboration, including her work with Indigenous groups.  

"My experience collaborating with First Nations and community partners has been instrumental in effectively working on the land and ensuring that we ask the right questions to achieve our shared goal of benefiting our natural resources," Walters says.

As the only student voice among senior administrators and industry leaders, Walters believes her perspective is important to demonstrating how partnerships between academic institutions and industry can benefit students.

"Including students' perspectives is crucial to understanding the viewpoints of B.C.'s future workforce, identifying the support and skills they need for career success and recognizing the experiences that are important for them to make a positive impact after graduation," she says.

Walters was invited to join the panel by her supervisor, Ecosystem Science and Management Associate Professor Dr. Eduardo Martins.

"Participating in a panel at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum represents a huge opportunity that I wouldn't have encountered had I not chosen to return to UNBC to pursue a Master of Science degree," she says. "This is an example of the types of opportunities that arise through effective collaboration between industry and academia."