Alana Clason

Alana Clason is a forest ecologist and Research Scientist with the Bulkley Valley Research Centre. Alana collaborates with universities, government, industry, and non-profit partners in a variety of applied research across western Canada studying the impacts, resilience and recovery of forests to disturbance. She completed her PhD at UNBC in 2017, understanding the drivers of the current range and forecasting the future northern range of whitebark pine under a changing climate. Her MSc at the University of Alberta focused on whitebark pine ecology and resilience. Alana blends empirical data collection and analysis with ecological modeling to understand and support the management of BC forests.

Her current projects focus on the response of forest carbon, fuels, and wildlife habitat to disturbances such as fire and forest management, as well as research and restoration of endangered whitebark pine ecosystems. She is a board member of the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation-Canada and the Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club.

Originally from Ottawa, she was fortunate to find a home in Smithers, on the land of the Wet’sewt’en Nation. There, she tries to keep up with her two active daughters, grow and gather food, play as much hockey as possible and explore the mountains, lakes and rivers close to home and far away.