Internship | From Ditch to Delta: Fish-Friendly Futures for the Lower Fraser River
Overview of duties
We are seeking motivated graduate students in Landscape Architecture (MLA) and Architecture (MArch, MArcLA) for a four-month paid internship as part of the research project “From Ditch to Delta: Fish-Friendly Futures for the Lower Fraser River.” The position provides hands-on experience in climate adaptation, ecological restoration, and collaborative design while working with leading landscape architecture firms.
About the Project
Flooding and habitat loss are two of the biggest challenges facing the Lower Fraser River. Many First Nations communities experience annual flood risks, made worse by climate change. At the same time, salmon populations—essential to ecosystems and Indigenous food security—are increasingly threatened by outdated flood control infrastructure, which blocks over 1,500 kilometers of critical habitat.
This multi-year project brings together researchers, designers, NGOs, and First Nations to develop innovative, fish-friendly flood adaptation strategies. By blending ecological restoration with flood protection and Indigenous knowledge, we aim to create solutions that support both communities and ecosystems.
Internship Structure
Interns will be placed within Space2Place, PFS Studio, HAPA Collaborative, or PWL Partnership and will divide their time between two focus areas:
• Research contributions to fish-friendly flood adaptation strategies
• Professional experience supporting ongoing projects within the host firm
Application deadline
How to apply
Applicants should submit the following materials to Associate Professor Kees Lokman (klokman@sala.ubc.ca):
• A CV outlining relevant education and experience
• A statement of interest (maximum one page) describing motivations for applying
• A condensed portfolio with 8 to 10 work samples relevant to the internship