Lecture Night June 20: Who’s out there? Wild Whales of the BC Coast

Westcoast Humpback 2

Have you seen any whales lately?  Find out why the BC Cetacean Sightings Network wants to know!  

Join us for a multi-media presentation by Caitlin Birdsall  on the whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea turtles that inhabit BC waters sponsored by the Vancouver Aquarium Cetacean Research Lab.  Discover which species are most commonly spotted around Vancouver Island, their unique natural histories, the threats they face, and how coastal citizens can participate in stewardship and research through the Sightings Network. The evening will have you informed, inspired, and ready to become a citizen scientist.

Proceeds from the evening will support our Public Education programs including our very own whale project. Read the rest of this entry »

Shellfish Salon: Travel Report – Oyster culture in Tasmania and NSW Australia

Pelican on Australian Oyster Farm

AKA our first Shellfish Grower Coffee Shop   April 24, 200-3:30  at the Field Station Read the rest of this entry »

Grey Whale Project – Ready for next phase!

Starting the dig

This week was exactly three years from when we buried the carcass of a young grey whale that will eventually be displayed at the Field Station.  Today was a good day as , Bill Pennell and I went back to the Scia’New First Nation in Beecher Bay and conducted a test dig to see whether it was ready to recover.

See CTV’s Video report from the day here. (great story but I can’t embed)

The news was good – our burial and patience worked and we are now ready to recover the skeleton.  The preparation of the skeleton will provide an incredible learning opportunity for students involved in the process.  Once on public display in the atrium of the Field Station, this whale’s legacy will be to help educate and inspire about coastal species for decades to come.  Even with lots of student and community volunteer labour, to do this properly will be an expensive project that we expect will cost $50,000.

Next we need to raise funds and find sponsors to help complete this project.  Can you help?

Read the rest of this entry »

Unlocking coastal B.C.’s blue carbon opportunities – We sign important MOU with BC Government and Project Watershed

Blue Carbon MOU signing 13.04.09

We had a cool windy day up on the Comox estuary with our great friends at Project Watershed as we signed a three way Memorandum of Understanding between ourselves (VIU), Project Watershed and the BC Government (via, Ministry of Environment and the Climate Action Secretariat to work together to investigate “Blue Carbon” and its role of estuaries in sequestering carbon.

Above: “Project Watershed’s Dr. Paul Horgen, Minister of Environment Hon. Terry Lake and VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson sign MOU at Courtenay Estuary. Read the rest of this entry »

Setting up for Art Show this week!

set up

A busy day here today as Art & Design students get ready for “EXPLORATIONS” the BA Visual Arts Graduating Exhibition 2013. Opening reception is this Saturday, 1pm – 4pm. Art will remain on display at the station until Apr 30th…Come check it out! Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNNER! Help us choose this years T-Shirt! Get art supplies for a student!

Kelp T-shirt

Help support the Field Station and art students by voting for this year’s 2013 (First) Annual T-shirt design destined to become a collector’s item! Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Art. 6 Comments »

Brant Wildlife Festival 2013 – Recap (long photoessay)

Brant and Gulls

This was the first year that Deep Bay Marine Field Station has participated in the Brant Wildlife Festival, so we weren’t sure what to expect. But, boy were we surprised!  Since March 16th we’ve had a lot going on: two Wildlife Boat Tours aboard the RV Chetlo, “Society of Crows” lecture by Dr. Robert Butler, “Sumptuous Seafood” Cooking Class with Chef Debbie Shore of the Vancouver Island Culinary Institute at VIU, a premier film presentation “Blue Notes” by award winning local underwater photographer, Peter Mieras, local artist displays and demonstrations sponsored by the Salish Sea Market in Bowser, all of which lead up to our Community Open House this past weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

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