PAMELA DYKSTRA
Victoria,BC
Summary
Senior ecologist and technical writer with a background in environmental consulting, provincial research, and regulatory guidance. Leads study design, data interpretation, technical reporting, and senior review of ecological documentation, translating field, mapping, and analytical evidence into clear recommendations for planning, compliance, and decision-making.
Overview
1
1
Certification
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Rockland Canada Management Corporation
02.2025 - Current
- Prepared technical guidance and project proposals to support environmental planning and compliance decisions, facilitating informed funding and regulatory outcomes.
- Interpret environmental data and interdisciplinary evidence to assess assumptions, analytical validity, uncertainty, and implications for project decisions.
- Draft, edit, review and refine environmental technical documents and analyses, including AI-assisted written outputs, for scientific accuracy, methodological clarity, limitations, and regulatory defensibility.
Research Leader, Forest Ecology Interpretations
BC Ministry of Forests
, BC
09.2016 - 02.2025
- Established the FUTURE trials, a multi-site climate adaptation and forest regeneration experiment involving 300,000 trees at 25 sites, with standardized protocols, sampling design, and long-term monitoring requirements.
- Advanced predictive ecosystem mapping methods across 95 million hectares by integrating field observations, LiDAR, and machine learning, enhancing data interpretation and operational application.
- Delivered science-based guidance and decision-support documentation through leadership of provincial forest ecology research and interpretation program funded at approximately $5 million.
- Produced peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, provincial guidance, research syntheses, and briefings that translated complex ecological data into actionable recommendations for decision-makers and operational audiences.
- Shaped climate-related provisions incorporated into BC legislation (Bill 23, 2021) and authored provincial post-wildfire retention guidance (2018).
- Strengthened research capacity through supervision of doctoral work and mentorship of graduate students and early-career professionals in study design, data interpretation, scientific writing, and communication.
- Facilitated collaboration within the Provincial Ecology Program to enhance ecological research and conservation efforts.
Founding Partner and Senior Ecologist
Biome Ecological Consultants Ltd. / PR Dykstra & Associates
01.2002 - 01.2015
- Delivered 60+ ecological consulting projects for forestry, mining, and conservation clients, including survey design, ecological condition and constraints interpretation, technical reporting, expert review, and regulatory documentation.
- Planned and implemented field-based vegetation, habitat, soils, and ecosystem assessment programs; synthesized field and laboratory evidence into client-ready reports and regulatory submissions.
- Led accuracy assessments and validation of ecosystem mapping products, identifying data limitations and implications for operational or regulatory decision-making.
- Prepared technical proposals and monitoring documentation for clients and agencies; coordinated field, analytical, and reporting activities to ensure comprehensive project delivery.
Research Assistant, Forest Sciences
BC Ministry of Forests
01.1995 - 01.2002
- Collected and analyzed field and laboratory data on ecology, soils, silviculture, and hydrology.
- Conducted data analysis using SAS, JMP, and Excel to interpret research findings.
- Technical writing to produce peer-reviewed publications, research reports, and forest management guidance.
- Reviewed scientific literature supporting ministry forest management studies.
- Maintained research data using spreadsheet and database tools.
Education
Master of Resource and Environmental Management (MRM) -
Simon Fraser University
British Columbia05-2009
Skills
- Technical writing
- Research synthesis
- Scientific leadership
- Scientific reporting
- Regulatory documentation
- Project management
- Environmental compliance
- Data interpretation
- Analytical thinking
- Stakeholder communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Operational planning
Title
SENIOR TECHNICAL WRITING ECOLOGIST | ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION | RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Certification
- Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.), British Columbia Institute of Agrologists, 2001 - present
- Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio.) College of Applied Biology 2009 - 2024 (currently Ret. status)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND GUIDANCE
- Khalifeh Soltanian et al. (2026). High-resolution forest growth potential mapping using ALS and satellite data. Remote Sensing.
- Khalifeh Soltanian et al. (2026). Biomass growth index mapping in central British Columbia. Science of Remote Sensing Journal (under review).
- Goodbody et al. (2024). Integration of airborne laser scanning into forest ecosystem management in Canada. Forestry Chronicle.
- Jarron et al. (2021). Detection and quantification of coarse woody debris using LiDAR. Forest Science.
- Jarron et al. (2020). Detection of sub-canopy forest structure using airborne LiDAR. Remote Sensing of Environment.
- Dykstra et al. (2018). Post-natural disturbance forest retention guidelines: 2017 wildfires. BC Government.
- Dykstra (2009). Ecological thresholds and salvage logging. Simon Fraser University.
- Dykstra & Braumandl (2006). Mountain pine beetle and stand dynamics. Canadian Forest Service.
- DeLong et al. (2005). Seedling survival in root disease infected stands. Forest Ecology and Management.
- Braumandl & Dykstra (2005). Field guide inserts for ecosystem identification. BC Ministry of Forests.
- Dykstra (2004). Thresholds in habitat supply: literature review. BC Government.
- Dykstra & Curran (2002). Skid road recontouring and tree growth. BC Ministry of Forests.
- Dykstra & DeLong (2001). Partial cutting prescriptions in constrained areas. BC Ministry of Forests.
- Dykstra & Curran (2000). Tree growth on rehabilitated skid roads. Forest Ecology and Management.
Timeline
Principal
Rockland Canada Management Corporation
02.2025 - Current
Research Leader, Forest Ecology Interpretations
BC Ministry of Forests
09.2016 - 02.2025
Founding Partner and Senior Ecologist
Biome Ecological Consultants Ltd. / PR Dykstra & Associates
01.2002 - 01.2015
Research Assistant, Forest Sciences
BC Ministry of Forests
01.1995 - 01.2002
Master of Resource and Environmental Management (MRM) -
Simon Fraser University