Floating Ideas Lecture - November 14th, 2018 at 7:00pm (Doors open 6:30pm)

Going batty? Join Parks Canada scientists for an evening learning about bats. Bats are fascinating mammals and one of the most often misunderstood animals on Earth. Bats play an important role in our ecosystems by consuming large numbers of nocturnal flying insects. There are at least 10 species of bats on Southern Vancouver Island, including many species at risk.  While there are many reasons why bat species are of conservation concern — including habitat loss and disturbance of roost sites — the single greatest threat to bats is white-nose syndrome. Bat populations in eastern North America have plummeted due to the fungus which is rapidly spreading westward. Over the past two years, Parks Canada researchers have established bat monitoring programs in our in Coastal BC national parks and historic sites as part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat). We will share some of the findings from this research, along with some things you can do to help bats.

Aimee Pelletier is a Species at Risk Engagement Officer with Parks Canada and has worked for Parks Canada for 9 years, focusing on Garry Oak ecosystem restoration and recovery of species at risk (mainly plants) in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and at Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. For the past two years, Aimee has focused on public outreach that helps Canadians learn about and connect with rare ecosystems and species in Coastal BC, including endangered bats such as the Little Brown Myotis! As Parks Canada's very own "Bat Woman" Aimee loves dressing up as a bat and leading evening bat walks where she uses a special microphone to listen for the echolocation calls of bats in real time!

Kyle Nelson is a member of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve's Ecological Integrity team. He helped establish the park reserve's bat monitoring program in 2017 and has led the project ever since. He has worked for Parks Canada for four years, starting in the Canadian Rockies before joining the Gulf Islands team in 2017. In addition to his work with Parks Canada, he is pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Victoria looking at the migration activity of bats in the southern Gulf Islands. 

FREE WITH MEMBERSHIP* OR ADMISSION
*Members have free admission to full lecture series — eight annually! Become a MEMBER today.

November’s theme: Watershed Well-Being! We all live in a watershed, and what we do on land affects the rest of the watershed. Come and learn from one of our educators about watersheds, what makes them healthy or unhealthy, and what we can do.

Adult learners and seniors are invited to this monthly talk and tea. 

• Refreshments served

• No registration required

• Regular admission applies; annual passes and memberships accepted

• Wheelchair accessible

• Special rates available for groups of 12 or more booked in advance; call for more information

Bring your preschooler to the Centre for a morning of fun! Parents and preschoolers are invited to join our Educators on Tuesday mornings at 10:30am for special ocean-themed stories, crafts and activities. This week's theme is  "Awesome Otters."

Does your child or grandchild have a day off of school today? Join us for all day hands-on learning under the Salish Sea.

A whole suite of offerings including storytime, games, presentations and more.

All of these activities are free with membership or annual pass.

Bring your preschooler to the Centre for a morning of fun! Parents and preschoolers are invited to join our Educators on Tuesday mornings at 10:30am for special ocean-themed stories, crafts and activities. This week's theme is  "Killer Whale Crazy".

Create your own fish fashion! Be sure to bring along:

1. A pillow case, cloth bag or t-shirt (or purchase a t-shirt from the Centre)

2. $2 for fabric paint

3. Your creativity

Details:

• Sea-Shirt Sundays runs the first Sunday of every month

• Suitable for all ages

• Children must be accompanied by an adult

• No registration required

• Standard admission rates apply

• Annual Passes accepted

• $2 fee for fabric paint

Bring your preschooler to the Centre for a morning of fun! Parents and preschoolers are invited to join our Educators on Tuesday mornings at 10:30am for special ocean-themed stories, crafts and activities. This week's theme is  "Super Sharks".

Floating Ideas Lecture - December 10th, 2018 at 7:00pm (Doors open 6:30)

Diving Back in Time: Applications at the Interface of Indigenous knowledge and Ecology

Yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) are a marine species of immense ecological, economic, and cultural value. The fish, which can live more than a century, are relied upon by commercial, recreational, and First Nations fishers alike. Like many species that are valued by multiple user groups, yelloweye rockfish have faced massive stock declines in British Columbia throughout the last century.

Coastal Indigenous Peoples worldwide have relied on fish and other marine resources for millennia, and continue to do so despite recent degradation of ocean systems by external forces. Their Indigenous knowledge and law, comprised of experiences, observations, beliefs, and lifeways, is relevant for modern marine management and conservation. In BC, Coastal First Nations are in the process of developing proprietary Marine Use Plans, that combine Indigenous knowledge with independently conducted ecological studies to inform local marine management decisions.

One key hurdle to managing yelloweye rockfish is a dearth of baseline data — no fishery-independent data is available for the species prior to 2002, confounding the setting of meaningful management and conservation goals. In partnership with the Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, and Heiltsuk First Nations, our narrative endeavors to overcome these data limitations and inform management and conservation of yelloweye rockfishes by interweaving Indigenous knowledge and scientific data towards fuller understanding of the species. Ultimately, we documented important historical changes in yelloweye rockfish size and abundance, and emphasize the value of Indigenous-led management.

Lauren Eckert is a conservation scientist, adventure enthusiast, and Ph.D. student in the Applied Conservation Science lab at the University of Victoria. Her undergraduate career, which provided the privilege of ecological field experiences around the globe, exposed her to the complexities of interrelated social and ecological systems, and motivated her to delve into conservation science that upholds Indigenous knowledge and rights. Her recent work at the interface of social and ecological sciences aims to value local and Indigenous knowledge systems alongside empirical scientific studies using a community-engaged, Indigenous-led approach to conservation. Lauren completed her M.Sc. in a partnership led by the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Wuikinuxv, and Nuxalk First Nations on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada to contribute to their marine conservation strategies. Specifically, they examined how groundfish populations have changed over the last century in these territories, and how this information can inform management decisions by these Nations. Lauren began her Ph.D in 2017, continuing work at the University of Victoria with the intention of sustaining long-term partnerships with First Nations on the Central Coast. She is also a Raincoast Conservation Fellow and a National Geographic Explorer.

FREE WITH MEMBERSHIP* OR ADMISSION

*Members have free admission to our entire lecture series - eight annually! Become a MEMBER today.

Bring your preschooler to the Centre for a morning of fun! Parents and preschoolers are invited to join our Educators on Tuesday mornings at 10:30am for special ocean-themed stories, crafts and activities. This week's theme is  "Antarctic Adventure".

*This is the last Tot Tuesday of 2018!

December’s theme: Killer Whale Tales!

From fearsome monsters to inquisitive social creatures, our perspective on killer whales has shifted a lot over the past few decades. Discover what defines our 3 local groups of killer whales, learn more about the threats they face and what you can do to help protect these incredible animals.
Adult learners and seniors are invited to this monthly talk and tea. 

• Refreshments served

• No registration required

• Regular admission applies; annual passes and memberships accepted

• Wheelchair accessible

• Special rates available for groups of 12 or more booked in advance; call for more information

Deck the halls with our 2018 Merry Fishmas ornament.

We’ve made fish, octopus and more. What will we make this year? Drop-in between the hours of 10:00 and 4:00 to create a special Salish Sea ornament for your tree.

Deck the halls with our 2018 Merry Fishmas ornament.

We’ve made fish, octopus and more. What will we make this year? Drop-in between the hours of 10:00 and 4:00 to create a special Salish Sea ornament for your tree.

Join us for an exploration of everything watershed! New activities and special guests. Free with admission.

February’s theme: A Day in the Life of an Aquarist.

Learn how an aquarist cares for our exhibits. You’ll get the inside scoop on animal care, exhibit maintenance, jellyfish rearing and more!

Adult learners and seniors are invited to this monthly talk and tea. 

• Refreshments served

• No registration required

• Regular admission applies; annual passes and memberships accepted

• Wheelchair accessible

• Special rates available for groups of 12 or more booked in advance; call for more information