February 20, 2014 - 7:45am
Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Deep Bay Marine Field Station is teaming up with the Brant Wildlife Festival for the second year in a row to offer people of all ages a chance to learn about wildlife and marine science.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the fantastic line up of events for the 2014 Brant Wildlife Festival March 1 to April 22,” says Brian Kingzett, Manager of VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station.
“The Festival is a celebration of nature, particularly Brant geese as they rest and feed on the shores of the Parksville and Qualicum beach areas on Vancouver Island. Our goal at the Field Station is to help educate people about marine science and our local waters.”
Located about an hour’s drive north of Nanaimo in the community of Bowser, VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station is a key research facility and public marine science centre that is fast becoming a popular tourism destination on Vancouver Island.
Activity highlights at the Field Station during the Brant Wildlife Festival include a Film and Speaker Series starting March 6, a Spring Harvest Dinner March 10, spring break camps for kids starting March 19 and a Kids Day Open House on March 22.
Nature Trust of BC Director and co-founder of the Pacific Wildlife Foundation, Dr. Rob Butler, is the keynote speaker at the March 10 Spring Harvest Dinner.
Following a gourmet feast of fresh local food prepared by VIU’s award-winning Culinary Arts students, Dr. Butler will give a presentation entitled The Salish Sea: Nature and a Sense of Place, which focuses on his search for the roots of Salish Sea culture, seeking insight into its diverse and abundant natural world.
Dr. Butler is an award-winning ornithologist known for his research on birds, radio and television appearances and for his popular writing style. He is also a Fellow of the Explorers Club, American Ornithologists Union, and has held executive positions in several science and conservation non-profit groups.
Doors open at 6 pm, and tickets ($60 each) are available at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, 370 Crome Pt. Road in Bowser, at the Salish Sea Market in Bowser, or by calling 250-740-6611.
For more details about other activities offered at VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station, please visit
For general information about the Festival, go to or call toll free 1-866-288-7878. The Nature Trust of BC is helping to coordinate the Festival.
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About Deep Bay Marine Field Station
VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station in Bowser provides hands-on learning opportunities to educate school children, the public and other groups about what makes the Salish Sea so special. This research facility and marine science education centre is open to the public daily from 10 am to 4 pm. It supports coastal and marine research related to sustainable shellfish aquaculture development, preservation of coastal ecosystems and interdisciplinary projects involving local communities. Visitors to the Station can view local marine life in large aquaria and get up and personal with local species in the facilities touch tanks.
With its stunning panoramic views and on-site culinary facilities, the Field Station is becoming a popular venue for weddings, celebrations, conferences, workshops and other special events. Field Station staff arrange interpretive tours for school and community groups and individuals, customized workshops, birthday parties, overnight programs or private tours and sunset dinners for groups.
The Field Station is one of Canada’s greenest buildings. Recently awarded LEED Platinum certification, it is an attraction in itself with a distinctive clamshell shaped structure and unique sustainability features.
For more information:
Website viu.ca/deepbay
Tel: 250 740-6611
Email: deepbay@viu.ca
Twitter: @VIUDeepBay
Media Contact
Janina Stajic, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
