尤物视频

Last year, resource and environmental management (REM) student Eli Hacker was recognized for his commitment to creating positive social and environmental change at SFU and in his community with a 2024 FENV Changemaker award.

As president of the newly established REM Student Association, Hacker and his executive team have had a busy year advocating for their members and increasing peer engagement with activities like welcome back lunches, free rock climbing and Halloween bowling.

They鈥檝e also doubled their team and increased undergraduate representation on departmental committees.

鈥淚 am extremely thankful to all of REMSA's executives for working so hard and showing up to our events and meetings with a willingness to get involved, and to improve REMSA,鈥� he says.

Since his first year at SFU, Hacker been involved in several other opportunities on and off-campus that have positioned him to grow as a leader and changemaker in his future career.

It鈥檚 one of the reasons why he chose his program in the first place, he explains:

鈥淚 really like REM because I think interdisciplinary approaches are what we need for society's biggest challenges. I am a science, statistics and math person, but my experiences in REM classes, in a REM lab, and in the jobs I've had as a result of my degree have pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and improve how I translate science into meaningful policy and clear communication with others.鈥�

One of these jobs was a park ambassador position in Golden Ears Provincial Park last summer.

鈥淚 was really lucky to spend the summer outside, educating park users about local ecology, physical geography, natural history and responsible recreation,鈥� he says, recalling how he led nature walks with groups from the Canucks Autism Network, RBC Bank and a school field trip. 鈥淚 feel like I helped each group to connect with nature in a new and exciting way.鈥�

Not only did he get to work in a beautiful place and create lasting memories, Hacker says that he was able to learn more about B.C.鈥檚 provincial park system through the experience.

On campus, Hacker is an undergraduate research assistant in , led by REM professor Sophie Wilkinson. Through this work, he鈥檚 been able to meet and network with professionals in wildfire research and go to the Wildfire Solutions Symposium in Kelowna last June, an event attended by academics, Indigenous leaders and industry professionals from both public and private sectors.

Getting involved with the lab has also allowed him to dip his toes into the research process in a supportive environment and inspired him to write an honours thesis.

鈥淸It has] given me a lot of technical and professional skills to supplement what I am learning in my courses and what I've gained from my summer jobs,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I know that when it鈥檚 time to do the research and write my thesis, I will have a strong support system.鈥�

Going forward, working to engage and empower youth and to protect parks and other natural spaces continue to be big priorities for Hacker, who has been chosen by his community to serve on his local recreation and parks advisory committee, in addition to a regional youth and education advisory panel.

He also wants to be more involved in field work and ecological restoration and recently joined his regional parks association to assist with invasive species removal and natural shoreline enhancement projects.

鈥淚 think it is really important to take care of our region's natural spaces, and I'm grateful that there are so many awesome organizations and societies that are working to create positive change,鈥� Hacker says.

He encourages fellow students who want to make a difference to reflect on the things they are passionate about, and to look for groups who share those passions and interests to get involved with.

鈥淓specially in the environmental field, there are many different groups and people who are working hard to make things better. Look for opportunities to challenge yourself and to put yourself out there.鈥�