The Root of It

02: From Chef to Mycologist - Dr. Monika Fischer

What can fungi teach us about the hidden systems that keep forests alive? In this episode, Dean Rob Kozak sits down with mycologist Dr. Monika Fischer to explore her unconventional journey from professional chef to academic. Together, they uncover the remarkable world beneath our feet: how fungal networks connect forest ecosystems, cycle nutrients, and help landscapes recover after wildfire. Dr. Fischer also shares insights from her work in the Fischer Fire Fungi Lab at the University of British Columbia, where researchers are studying the fire-loving fungi that emerge in the wake of wildfires.

01: What is environmental stewardship?

The world is at a defining moment. The climate is warming at twice the global average. In Canada, wildfires are devastating communities. Ecosystems are under strain. Species loss is accelerating. Meeting this moment requires more than traditional forest management — it calls for stewardship of entire ecosystems. Forests are inseparable from water, biodiversity, climate, communities, and economies. Caring for one means caring for them all. That’s why UBC’s Faculty of Forestry has changed its name to the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. In this episode, we’ll unpack what environmental stewardship means — for Canada, for the world, and for the future of environmental leadership.