Priya Puri, MSc
Forest Conservation Program Coordinator
Priya completed her Master of Science in Forestry at UBC in 2024 where she specialized in forest pathology and tree breeding. Preceding her MSc, Priya completed her Bachelor of Science Honours in 2020 also at UBC Forestry where she focused on plant/forest physiology, genomics, and ecology. Priya studied the decline of native Arbutus menziesii – a unique tree species characteristic of the CDF ecosystem.
Priya (she/her) joined the Raincoast team to coordinate long-term vegetation monitoring and soil carbon sampling on S,DAYES (Pender Island) at Raincoast’s two conservation properties. Through this role, Priya also works on science communication pieces, attends workshops, and connects with the diverse community of organizations dedicated to conserving the ecologically and culturally significant Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) ecosystems. Priya’s research interests are centered on forest health and climate change adaptation and she hopes to contribute to building resilience and resistance in threatened coastal ecosystems.
Arbutus is species near and dear to Priya, so she is thrilled to continue to have the opportunity to work in its associated ecosystems. Through her post-secondary studies and concurrent professional work experience, Priya has also developed a passion for teaching, communications, and resource development. Priya is looking to further explore the intersections of these additional disciplines with science and research through her work with Raincoast.
Outside of work, Priya spends time volunteering with Pacific Spirit Park Society on the Eco-Education team and as a council member on the Canadian Institute of Forestry Vancouver South-Coast Section. In her free time, Priya likes to walk and play with her dog, collect houseplants, do arts and crafts, hike, camp, and play & umpire field hockey! Priya was born and raised on the west coast and her hometown is Coquitlam, BC which is the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nations.
