“It would be rare to find someone in northwestern B.C. who simply doesn’t care about the forests we all share. There’s a deep connection between the people here and the land, we rely on it, we enjoy it, and we take responsibility for it,” says Ankur Patel.
For most of his life, Ankur enjoyed the outdoors recreationally. But nursing school sparked a deeper purpose for the 21 year old—aligning his love for the outdoors with his commitment to human health.
Ankur’s journey began when as a young child, his family made the life-changing move from Toronto, Ontario to Kitimat, British Columbia.
“I fell in love with the area right away. It gave me a deep appreciation for the natural beauty, close-knit community, and outdoor lifestyle,” says Ankur. “My best memories are of roasting hotdogs at the end of the [Coho Flats] trail and jumping into the river, swimming alongside frogs. From first dates to family gatherings, I’ve been lucky to enjoy the incredible trails.”
Today, Ankur lives 50 kilometres north of Kitimat, in Terrace, and loves to take a break from his rigorous nursing program and recharge in the outdoors.
“It’s how I reset and stay productive,” says Ankur. “Being in the forest is like hitting pause on everything else. The air feels cleaner, the sounds are more vibrant, and there’s a sense of space, to think, to breathe, to just exist.”
Ankur says most people he knows also enjoy spending time in their local rainforest.
Ankur Patel bikes through lush forest to Findlay Lake near Terrace B.C.—a landscape that inspires his path in health care. (Photo submitted)
Forestry Pays the Bills—But at What Cost?
In northern B.C., spending time in the woods is a normal part of life—and it’s just as common to have friends or family working in the forestry industry.
Ankur recently completed his 4th-year nursing practicum in Fraser Lake, a small village whose residents have been primarily employed by forestry. But as a healthcare professional who community members trust, Ankur started hearing stories directly from patients who were impacted by the closure of the pulp mill in their community.
“The forestry industry was the lifeblood of the community, providing a steady source of income and putting food on the table for families across town,” Ankur says. “After the closure, it became abundantly clear, through conversations with community members, just how debilitating this loss has been for many.”
While Ankur wants local residents to have access to good, reliable jobs in industries like forestry, he’s also concerned about current logging practices in B.C. He understands that with less than 3% of the province’s large old-growth forests remaining, clearcutting is still common, and trees are often treated as crops rather than as parts of a complex, interconnected ecosystem
And he believes that for many British Columbians—especially those in rural, forested communities like Fort St. James and Terrace—the current approach to forestry is no longer working and is harmful, particularly from a health perspective.
“Forests play a massively important role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, and ensuring clean air and water, things that directly impact human health. Protecting old-growth forests is particularly important.”
Ankur says the connection between human health and nature is backed by decades of evidence—an understanding that will only make him better at his future job.
“By integrating this understanding into how we approach industry and environmental practices, we can ensure healthier, more sustainable futures for both people and the planet,” says Ankur. “The most effective healthcare does not begin in hospitals but in the conditions that shape people’s daily lives.”
As a nursing student in northern B.C., Ankur heard directly from patients how changes in the forestry industry were affecting their lives—reinforcing his belief that healthy communities depend on both good jobs and a thriving natural environment. (Photo Credit Avery Velho)
As Far as the Eye can Tree
While Ankur thinks we have a ways to go in taking better care of our forests in B.C., he believes it is possible for the province and public to support both good jobs and healthy forests.
“While I recognize that industries like logging and mining play a role in the economy, I believe there must be a balance between economic interests and ecological responsibility.”
Ankur wants to see more prevention-focused healthcare—one that considers the health of nature as essential to human well-being.
He hopes “to contribute to a system that recognizes prevention as the foundation of long-term health by adopting practices that reduce environmental health risks, supporting policies that promote sustainability in healthcare, and educating others about the profound connection between planetary and personal well-being.”
Ankur believes it’s time to strike a better balance between healthy forests and good jobs in B.C.—and a biodiversity and ecosystem health law can help make that happen.
“Meaningful change takes… collective effort,” says Ankur. “By prioritizing biodiversity and ecosystem health in forest management, this law would safeguard these natural benefits, while also contributing to long-term sustainability, which is essential for both environmental and public well-being.”
By prioritizing healthy ecosystems, Ankur believes we can create more long-term, sustainable forestry jobs—where workers can support their families and nature too.
“The forestry industry has a big role to play in supporting both people and the environment. Adopting sustainable practices like reforestation and selective logging can ensure the health and biodiversity of forests for generations to come.”
At the end of the day, from his home in Terrace, for Ankur, a good life means forests filled with life, communities filled with opportunity, and a healthcare system rooted in prevention.
“That industries and decision-makers, people whose names many will never even know, hold such power over our health and environment, without our say, is unjust. Everyone deserves a voice in the decisions that impact their lives.”
Ankur is publicly supportive of a biodiversity and ecosystem health law for B.C. because he cares about the natural beauty of his northern BC home and the health and livelihoods of his patients.
“A healthy and balanced ecosystem contributes to better human health.”
Rooted in both compassion and conviction, Ankur stays hopeful that B.C. can strike a better balance—where thriving forests, healthy communities, and sustainable jobs go hand in hand. (Photo submitted)
