University of Northern British Columbia Ecosystem Science and Management Professor Dr. Darwyn Coxson has won one of three 2017 Distinguished Academic Awards from the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of B.C. (CUFA-BC).

His advocacy and research was instrumental in the establishment of the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park, a 12,000-hectare protected area conserving rare ancient Western redcedar stands in the inland rainforest, 120 km east of Prince George.

CUFA-BC’s Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award is for sustained outstanding contributions to the community beyond the academy through research or other scholarly activities by an individual or group over the major portion of their career.

“He (Darwyn) played a pivotal role in bringing together stakeholders to determine protected areas and ensuring enduring ownership and participation by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation,” states the CUFA-BC media release.

Coxson will be in Vancouver this Thursday to receive the award. His research has focused on the conservation biology and biodiversity of B.C.’s unique inland rainforest ecosystem.

“I am honoured to receive the Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award from CUFA-BC,” said Coxson. “The recognition by CUFA-BC of the collaboration between UNBC, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, and communities in Prince George and the Robson Valley, towards designation of the new Ancient Forest/Chun Cho Whudujut Provincial Park, reaffirms the importance of research and scholarly activity in our public universities.

“This award highlights the outstanding opportunities available to UNBC students for meaningful participation in the development of sustainable communities,” added Coxson.
“Former UNBC students such as Dave Radies, for whom the “Radies” tree is named on the Ancient Forest trail, have shown that UNBC students are today’s scholars and tomorrow’s leaders.”