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Upcoming Events: Connecting with You in Person
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SUNDAY, APRIL 17: MABR BIOBLITZ
Part of the Brant Wildlife Festival
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Find out more about the MABR 2016 BioBlitz in this recent news article! |
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OTHER BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL EVENTS
April 16th and 17th
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SATURDAY APRIL 16
9am to 1 pm - Brant Geese Viewing
Join Gary and Ronda Murdock of Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours to view Brant geese and other seabirds from hot spots in Oceanside with field ornithologist Christopher Stephens. $20 per person. Register by email or phone: mail@rainforestnaturehikes.com / 250-248-3667
2pm - Stories from the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region
Come and see a full-length documentary produced by Arrowsmith Media and partners about people's personal connection to land in the Mount Arrowmsith Biosphere Region. Presented at the Parksville Museum.
SUNDAY APRIL 17
11 am to 3 pm - Hamilton Marsh Tour
Bring your friends and family to explore this amazing marsh outside Qualicum Beach and learn about the interesting plants and wildlife with the Friends of French Creek and Arrowsmith Naturalists. By donation.
More Brant Wildlife Festival events and info here.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 7PM: MABR GUEST LECTURE
Hosted by the Friends of French Creek Conservation Society
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What is a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve and what makes our region worthy of this designation? What is the story of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) and what key changes have occurred since 2000? How is MABRRI, the MABR’s affiliated research institute, addressing the biosphere reserve mandate? And finally, how can you get involved? Find out the answers to all of these questions with Monica Shore and Dr. Pamela Shaw. Fore more about the Friends French Creek Conservation Society, click here.
Location: St. Columba Presbyterian Church (921 Wembley Road, Parksville BC)
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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 7PM: MABR GUEST LECTURE
Hosted by the Nanoose Naturalists
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The Nanoose Naturalists have invited our staff to speak about research being pursued at MABRRI, VIU's research institute dedicated to increasing collective knowledge about the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. "Nanoose Naturalists is a Vancouver Island naturalist club dedicated to the study, enjoyment, and preservation of our local bio-diverse ecosystems. The Club was founded in 2002 and is one of 53 nature clubs in BC with a total of over 5,000 members. These nature clubs are all affiliated to the Federation of BC Naturalists" (www.nanoosenaturalists.org).
Location: Nanoose Library Hall (2489 Nanoose Rd, Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9E6)
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SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1-3 PM: MABR COMMUNITY COURSE
Hosted by Milner Gardens and Woodland
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Join our team for an interactive and engaging community course about the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. This course was sold out in September 2015 and we're eager to provide it again for those who weren't able to attend the last one. View all community courses at Milner Gardens here.
Location: Milner Gardens & Woodland (2179 W Island Hwy, Qualicum Beach, BC)
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MABR 2015 Annual Report
A report for anyone interested in what we've been up to
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We've captured a snapshot of the year 2015 in the MABR's Annual Report to record and celebrate the many collaborations, projects, and events that connected people with each other and with nature in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. We hope you'll take a moment to read it! Download the MABR's 2015 Annual Report here.
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4th WORLD CONGRESS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES
"The dawn of a new era for UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme"
March 14-17 in Lima Peru
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In March, the MABR was part of a delegation of fourteen Canadians who attended the 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (4WCBR) in Lima Peru. The purpose of the 4WCBR was to endorse a new action plan for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves that ensures that all entities are working toward clearly defined and shared goals. The Lima Action Plan, now endorsed and adopted, will guide the actions of all networks, committees, and national commissions that are involved in the management of biosphere reserves from 2016 to 2025.
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The MABR presented in three different sessions on the following topics: (1) climate research in high alpine areas; (2) biosphere reserve-related curriculum in post-secondary institutions, and; (3) strengths and gaps in existing research on UNESCO biosphere reserves.
- To read the MABR's report on the 4WCBR in Lima Peru, click here.
- To read the Lima Action Plan for UNESCO's MAB Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2016-2015), click here.
- To read the Lima Declaration on UNESCO's MAB Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves, click here.
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The main people behind the scenes at VIU's Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) are Dr. Pam Shaw, Graham Sakaki, and Sarah Lumley.
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Dr. Pamela (Pam) Shaw is MABRRI's Research Director as well as the Director of the Master of Community Planning Program at Vancouver Island University. Pam has more than 30 years of experience in land use planning and facilitation, and is currently researching new forms of governance for biospheres and community organizations. She brings ideas, connections, and experience to the research team.
Graham Sakaki is MABRRI's Research Coordinator. He has been involved with MABRRI since it was established in August of 2014. Graham oversees the coordination of all ongoing research projects. His education background includes a degree in Natural Resources Geography and a diploma in Forest Resource Technology, and he is currently pursuing VIU's Master of Community Planning. Graham's professional experience in organizational management has transferred seamlessly to MABRRI.
Sarah Lumley is MABRRI's Assistant Coordinator. She manages MABRRI’s online communications, leads numerous projects including the Institute’s first citizen science BioBlitz, and is the main contact for all of the students involved in research at MABRRI. Sarah obtained her degree with honours in Urban Geography from VIU in 2015. She has been working at MABRRI since the summer of 2015 and will begin graduate studies in the fall of 2016. Sarah’s positive outlook, initiative, and leadership skills add incredible value to MABRRI.
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FIVE STUDENT RESEARCHERS TO JOIN THE SUMMER TEAM
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Pam, Graham, and Sarah are looking forward to welcoming and training five students from Vancouver Island University to help advance MABRRI's summer research program. In May, check out the MABRRI blog to meet the student team. They'll introduce themselves and tell you about the projects they're involved in. |
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FOUR MAIN PROJECTS THIS SUMMER
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MABRRI staff and students will be focusing on four main projects this summer:
- Wetland monitoring and mapping
- Lake monitoring
- Eelgrass mapping
- Collaborative environmental monitoring and community mapping - a new app
Check out MABRRI's website for more details as these projects unfold.
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LAKEKEEPERS WORKSHOP OPEN TO COMMUNITY
Weekend of April 30th & May 1st
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MABRRI is hosting a BC Lake Stewardship Society LakeKeepers workshop on April 30th and May 1st. Participants will learn about stewardship, the biological and chemical characteristics of lakes, and how to monitor lake health. The course includes both a classroom and field component. 5 spots have been created for community members to join us!
If you're interested in attending or would like more information, please contact MABRRI's Assistant Coordinator Sarah Lumley. |
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NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR AN ECO-AWARD
An Environment Studies Association of Canada Award
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"Each year, ESAC selects a recipient of the Environmental Community’s Organizer Award (ECO-Award). The ECO Award honours an individual, team, or organization, which has positively contributed to the field of environmental studies in Canada through community-building, research, knowledge-to-action, or innovations in practice or approaches... The Call for Nominations for the 2016 Eco-Award is now open! Nominations will be due electronically by midnight EST on Monday, May 2."
Find out more.
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