Image: Jason Lum

By Mike Vanden Bosch

UFV Science Café

Chilliwack councillor to discuss land use politics, strategies at next UFV Science Café

Mar 26, 2025 | 1:28 PM

CHILLIWACK — Fresh off an event that discussed the health impacts of wildfire smoke in the region, University of the Fraser will host its next Science Café event featuring four-term Chilliwack Councillor Jason Lum.

Lum, a longtime elected official and distinguished UFV alum, will speak alongside UFV professor Dr. Lenore Newman at the next Science Café event focussed on land use in the Fraser Valley in the broader context of housing, agriculture and commercial uses. The event happens Wednesday, April 2 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Lum, who is also one of UFV’s 50 Remarkable Alumni, brings his perspective on balancing policy pressures with competing land use demands.

“From sustainability to development, I will explore strategies and trade-offs in managing land amid growing environmental and economic challenges,” Lum said.

Newman is director of UFV’s Food and Agriculture Institute and a prominent voice in the national conversation about food and agriculture innovation.

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“Conflicting land uses create a lot of challenge in our region as we have a growing population and very little land,” she said. “In this talk, I discuss UFV’s emerging One Health hub and look at how it provides a new tool for examining the consequences of land use conflict.”

Science Café events are free and feature casual, dynamic interactions between audiences and speakers. Coffee and cookies will be served, and guests are asked to bring a reusable mug to help make this event more sustainable.