—From the desk of Tiffany Snauwaert, Dean, School of Business; School of Environment & Geomatics 

If you’ve ever driven between Castlegar and Nelson, you’ve likely passed one of Selkirk College’s most remarkable (and perhaps underrecognized?) learning environments: the Skattebo Education Forest. 

Located along the east shore of the Kootenay River just south of Glade, the Skattebo Education Forest spans approximately 285 hectares and has been part of Selkirk College since 1999. What strikes me most about this space is how clearly it brings our strategic priorities to life—not in theory but in practice, every day. 

Learner-Centred, Experiential Education 

At its core, Skattebo is a living lab. Students from programs such as Forest Technology; Recreation, Fish and Wildlife; and Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology are regularly out in the forest: collecting data, mapping ecosystems and developing land-management prescriptions. 

It’s learner-centred education in action: students developing skills not just by studying concepts but by applying them in the ecosystems they will one day help manage. It’s hands-on, it’s immersive and it builds confidence in both knowledge and practice. 

Workforce Relevance and Applied Research 

Skattebo is also where classroom learning connects directly with industry and community needs. Through applied research, students and faculty are using tools like drones and LiDAR to study forest structure, assess ecosystem health and better understand wildfire risk. 

These applied projects directly support regional priorities, including wildfire resilience and sustainable resource management. In short, Skattebo helps prepare our learners for meaningful, in-demand careers while contributing to the well-being of our communities. 

Access, Community Connection and Place-Based Learning 

One of the things I appreciate most is how Skattebo connects the college to the broader community. The forest is open for responsible public use, with opportunities for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing, and it connects directly to the Skattebo Reach Trail—part of the Trans Canada Trail network.  At the same time, the forest is a shared space where students, researchers, industry partners and organizations come together, including local wildfire crews who use the site for training. 

Sustainability, Stewardship and Responsibility 

Skattebo also reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship. It supports a diverse range of species and ecosystems representative of the West Kootenay region. 

Through field labs, research and projects such as wildfire fuel management, students are not only studying ecosystems—they are actively contributing to their long-term health and resilience. This work reinforces an important mindset: learning and stewardship go hand in hand. 

A Shared Responsibility 

As we continue to advance Selkirk College’s strategic priorities, Skattebo reminds us that some of our most valuable learning spaces don’t have walls. They require care, collaboration, ongoing stewardship and, of course, gratitude to those who have stewarded the land long before Selkirk College existed. 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience the Skattebo Education Forest, I encourage you to do so (while respecting posted guidelines). It offers a powerful reminder that at Selkirk College, learning is deeply connected to place. The work we do here has a lasting impact on our region, our communities and our future. Maybe I’ll see you out on the Skattebo trail this summer.