Janette Bulkan

Janette Bulkan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry. She is a Faculty Associate of the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) and focuses on Indigenous and local community rights in forest governance, environmental enclosures, and food sovereignty. Her work spans British Columbia, Guyana, and South America, emphasizing collaborative research with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Research Interests: Bulkan’s work explores de jure and de facto enclosures impacting IPLCs, community forestry practices, independent forest certification (e.g., FSC), and food sovereignty. Her projects address the intersection of environmental policy, indigenous rights, and geopolitical dynamics, particularly in resource extraction contexts.

• Key Areas: Indigenous land rights, forest certification, illegal logging, and community-based conservation
• Regional Focus: British Columbia, Guyana, Colombia, and South America

Her recent work includes a SSHRC-funded project on food asset mapping in Metro Vancouver, Port Alberni, and Terrace, collaborating with Indigenous and local communities. She also coordinates IUFRO’s Working Party 9.03.07 on Indigenous Peoples and Forest Landscapes.

Awards and Grants: Bulkan has secured SSHRC grants (2017, 2019), a Peter Wall Institute Mentoring Award (2013), and contributes to international bodies like the Forest Stewardship Council Policy Committee (2013–2020).

Advisory Roles: She serves on the Commonwealth Forestry Association’s Governing Council and the GREEN Institute’s Advisory Board (University of Guyana). Her research often critiques state-driven environmental policies and advocates for Indigenous knowledge systems in forest management.

Labs/Teams: Coordinates interdisciplinary teams in Guyana and Colombia, focusing on food sovereignty and community-led conservation. Active in Haida Gwaii through UBC’s Indigenous Land Stewardship initiatives.