About

Sacha Curran brings a multidisciplinary background in horticulture, arboriculture, and her career experiences in teaching to her current research work related to urban forest resiliency and social-ecological dynamics.

For her applied research project with the University of Guelph’s Horticulture program, she explored invasive species ecology and the role of community as an essential partner in strengthening early detection capacity and rapid response timelines; specifically focused on the highly destructive invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) not yet detected in Alberta and its likely impact on vulnerable urban ash inventories. This work led to the development of Community Field + Forest, a research-based platform, designed to bring together accessible resources and coordinated monitoring via the iNaturalist app, Emerald Ash Borer Monitoring in Alberta. Sacha continues to work alongside local, provincial, and federal partners to grow public awareness and monitoring engagement.

She has contributed to knowledge mobilization in the field with a published peer-reviewed EAB pest factsheet and a co-written conference poster (STOPDED) presentation with the Alberta Invasive Species Council, as well as topical interviews in the Edmonton Journal, Rat Creek Press, and the Edmonton Horticultural Society. Sacha has presented her work at a range of venues for varied audiences including the 2025 Spoke n’ Loam Conference, the City of Edmonton Integrated Pest Management Advisory Group, and recently with Citizen Science Alberta’s 2026 Speed Dating event.

Sacha is a member of the Prairie Chapter-International Society of Arboriculture, Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice, Canadian Urban Forest Network (CUFN), Urban & Community Forestry Society (U.S), the Society for Ecological Restoration (U.S.-Int’l), and the Tree Design Action Group (UK). She was recently nominated for the Invasive Species Centre of Canada’s Leadership Award.

In Fall 2026, Sacha will begin her graduate studies in the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership program at the University of British Columbia.