Erica Lilles
Soil & Vegetation Scientist
Erica first worked in the field of forest science during her undergraduate years at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, where she was an intern in the forest dynamics lab. She gained more experience in temperate and boreal forest ecology during field jobs in Washington, Alaska, and interior British Columbia. It was her interest in soil-plant interactions and native plant restoration that led her back to school for an M.Sc. degree in Land Reclamation at the University of Alberta. In graduate school she studied the effect of soil salinity on boreal forest productivity, a topic of concern for well site, pipeline, and oilsand mining reclamation in Alberta. Erica’s other research interests include: non-timber forest products development and management, invasive species management, forest understory plant ecology, mycorrhizal ecology, and forest biogeochemistry.
At the Bulkley Valley Research Centre, Erica has been involved with research examining the effects of above and below ground competition and soil moisture and nutrients on tree growth, allometry, and nutrition. As a young scientist, she benefits from two elements brought together by the BVRC: collaboration with natural resource professionals and accessible ecosystems.
Originally from the Seattle area, Erica now happily makes her home in Smithers. An outdoor and nature enthusiast, she enjoys exploring the Bulkley Valley and living in the midst of a full food chain.
Erica is currently on maternity leave with her new daughter Wynter.
Erica started with the Bulkley Valley Research Centre in July 2007.