We’re proud to share that Dr. Ruth Waldick, Lead Scientist with Transition Salt Spring and head of the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL), is featured in a new University of Victoria podcast exploring how our communities can better respond to extreme heat and wildfire risk.
Ruth appears in Episode 3: “Ruth” of A Hot Topic: Addressing Heat Vulnerability in the Capital Regional District, hosted by Erica Dolman and Nicola Watts, and produced by Dr. Sarah Marie Wiebe and Kirsten Mah at UVic.
This four-part series takes a public health lens on the growing risks of heat and fire in our changing climate. In her episode, Ruth brings a scientific yet deeply local perspective—sharing insights from her work in the Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) region, one of BC’s most vulnerable ecosystems. She discusses the realities of limited resources, how data and community partnerships can guide smarter adaptation, and the urgent need for integrated approaches that protect both ecosystems and people.
As the lead scientist behind Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL), Ruth and her team are leading innovative projects in ecological restoration, fire risk reduction, and watershed resilience. Their work—rooted in collaboration, education, and long-term monitoring—focuses on restoring the health of the Hwmet’utsun (Mt. Maxwell) Creek Watershed, a vital water source for thousands of islanders.
You can also find A Hot Topic: Addressing Heat Vulnerability in the Capital Regional District on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — look for Episode 3: “Ruth.”
💡 Want to learn more about Ruth’s work?
Explore the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL) and its groundbreaking initiatives in forest health, water protection, and community-based climate action.