UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest - MKRF

The UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest was established by a Crown Grant to the University of British Columbia in 1949, as a facility for research, demonstration, and education in the field of forestry and allied sciences. To fulfill this mandate, the forest is managed by staff from the Faculty of Forestry at UBC to provide the best environment possible for these three aspects of forestry. We also manage a small area of the forest for recreational purposes for the local community, who use our trail system for hiking, jogging, or just enjoying the forest. Our management of the Research Forest includes maintaining an extensive road system to allow access into more remote areas of the forest for research purposes, and maintaining comprehensive records on past and current activities occurring on the Forest. To help support this infrastructure and to create new research opportunities, harvesting is carried out on a sustainable yield basis throughout the forest. All revenue obtained through forest harvesting is reinvested in the forest to maintain and improve this world class facility. As part of our efforts to promote community forestry initiatives, our staff also manages a small (250 hectare) woodlot license located adjacent to the western side of the Research Forest. This piece of land is owned by the government of BC, and managed in accordance with the Forest Practices Code of BC.