We are pleased to announce the dates for the popular course Wonders of the Salish Sea 2023.
Discover the magic of the Salish Sea with our four-part series of exciting talks!
From killer whales to octopuses, our expert speakers will take you on a journey to learn about the unique ecosystem and inhabitants of this beautiful region.
Hear about cutting-edge research on using poop-sniffing dogs to study the health of endangered killer whales and ongoing efforts to restore kelp forests.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn and be inspired!
4 Mondays from 7-9pm
March 27, April 3, 17, and 24 (no program on April 10 due to Easter Holiday)
Register here: https://revenue-can.keela.co/woss-2023
Monday, March 27th
7:00 pm – 7:55 pm Your Salish Sea Story with Mira Lutz Castle.
Mira Lutz Castle will lead the first session and share her discoveries as an estuarine scientist, including the curriculum she developed with SeaDoc Society, based on their book, “Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids.” She has a B.S. in Biology with a marine emphasis, a teaching certificate, and a Masters of Environmental Science in Marine and Estuarine Science.
8:05 pm – 9:00 pm Origin Stories of the Salish Sea with Chris Arnett.
Chris Arnett will provide an informative talk about the archeology, uses of the marine environment, and origin stories of the Salish Sea as told by the Coast Salish people over thousands of years. He is an independent archaeologist and heritage consultant with a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia.
Monday, April 3rd
7:00 pm – 7:55 pm What feces can tell us about the health of the endangered southern resident killer whales with Deborah Giles
Deborah Giles will lead the third session and share her insights on what feces can tell us about the health of the endangered southern resident killer whales. Giles conducts her research with the help of her highly trained assistant, Eba, the poop-sniffing dog. She is a leading expert on the Southern Resident killer whales, having focused almost exclusively on this iconic population since receiving her Ph.D.
8:05 pm – 9:00 pm Seals and Sea Lions – Ecosystem Allies or Ocean Pests? A talk with Joan Lopez
Join marine educator Joan Lopez as she delves into the role of seals and sea lions in the Salish Sea ecosystem, discussing both their positive and negative impacts. Explore the growing debate around reducing their numbers to restore salmon populations and discover whether these marine mammals are ecosystem allies or ocean pests. Joan is a marine educator with two decades of experience as a nature guide for a whale-watching company, holding a BSc in Marine Biology from UBC and serving as the chair of the Marine Biology Committee of Nature Vancouver.
Monday, April 17th
7:00 pm – 7:55 pm Pacific Flyway with Rob Butler
Rob Butler will talk about the Pacific Flyway, a migratory route for birds that spans from northeastern Russia to South America. He will cover the migration patterns of various bird species and the importance of protecting the habitats that these birds rely on. Robert is a scientist, artist, and public speaker with an MSc and a Ph.D. degree, who served as a research scientist of birds with the Canadian Wildlife Service and adjunct professor and has published several books and featured in various art shows and magazines.
8:05 pm – 9:00 pm Forage Fish – Small species with a big impact with Alanna Vivani.
Alanna Vivani will speak about forage fish, including Pacific sand lance, surf smelt, and Pacific herring, which are important prey for many top predators in the Salish Sea. She will discuss how these fish are surveyed and the health of their populations in local waters. Alanna is a Senior Research Assistant with MABRRI who focuses on marine conservation and has a BSc in Biology from Vancouver Island University.
On Monday, April 24th
7:00 pm – 7:55 pm Kelp Forest Restoration with Christopher Neufeld
Christopher Neufeld will discuss the decline of canopy-forming kelps, such as Giant Kelp and Bull Kelp, in the Salish Sea due to marine heatwaves and overgrazing by sea urchins. He will also describe ongoing efforts to reverse these losses to support conserving and protecting culturally and commercially valuable species. Christopher is a Research Scientist and Project Lead for the Kelp Rescue Initiative, focusing on how marine heatwaves are altering B.C.’s kelp forests and developing scalable solutions to reverse these losses.
8:05 pm – 9:00 pm Charismatic Cephalopods of the Salish Sea with Phoebe Churney
Dive into the world of octopuses of the Salish Sea with Phoebe! We will learn about three species endemic to the area varying from her personal interactions to the physiology, intelligence, and behaviour of these ink-credible creatures. Phoebe Churney is a senior at Maine Maritime Academy pursuing a dual degree in Marine Biology and Small Vessel Operations with experience conducting research on octopuses at Rosario Marine Beach Laboratory and serving as a Scientific Diver-in-Training and Lead Aquarist.
Please Pay What You Can
Register here: https://revenue-can.keela.co/woss-2023