Bert Brink

b. 1912 d. 2007

Bert worked for more than seven decades to understand and protect BC's environment. He published papers in over 200 journals and taught courses in genetics, agronomy and rangeland management at UBC. As a conservationist, his gentle persistence and level-headed reasoning won the hearts and minds of supporters in many areas, including politics, business, and agriculture. An enthusiastic camper and mountaineer throughout his life, Bert was known as a "walking encyclopedia" for the natural history of BC. His unrivaled expertise, warmth and dedication inspired hundreds of students and colleagues and resulted in major advances for environmental conservation. Bert's legacy runs deep throughout the province.

Adapted from a photo of Bert at the Elders Council gathering in 2004
(Photo courtesy of Rod Silver)

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Left: Bert with his camera, late 1980s. Photography was a big part of Bert's life - he would often stop at the side of the road to photograph something of biological note.
Right: Bert on Joe Mountain, Ashnola 1964 (Photos provided by Aubin Stewart)

Affiliations:

• UBC – B.Sc. Agriculture 1934, M.Sc. 1936, Faculty member in Departments of Plant Science and Agronomy, Chair of the Division of Plant Science 1955-1967, Professor Emeritus 1977
• University of Wisconsin – Ph.D. Applied plant physiology 1937
• Nature Vancouver – President 1950-1952, Founder and Chair of Conservation Committee
• BC Nature – Founding member, President 1978-1981
• Agricultural Land Commission - Commissioner
• Nature Trust of B.C. – Director Habitat Conservation Trust Fund - Founding Director and Vice Chair
• Van Dusen Botanical Garden
• Parks Legacy Panel

Parks:

• South Chilcotin Provincial Park
• Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
• Wells Gray Provincial Park
• Cathedral Provincial Park
• Garibaldi Provincial Park
• Pacific Spirit Park
• Stanley Park
• Burns Bog, Camosun Bog
• Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
• Alaksen National Wildlife Area
• Ecological reserves throughout BC

Awards & Recognitions:

• Douglas H. Pimlott Conservation Award, Canadian Nature Federation 1982
• Order of B.C., inaugural recipient 1990
• Order of Canada 1990
• J. B. Harkin Medal for Conservation 1992
• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, inaugural recipient 2002
• Lieutenant-Governor's Conservation Award 2007
• UBC Distinguished Alumni Award 2008