June 14, 2013 - 7:29am
Have you seen any whales lately?
Don’t miss a multi-media presentation by Caitlin Birdsall on the whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea turtles that inhabit BC waters. The lecture takes place at Vancouver Island University’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station on Wednesday, June 19, at 7 pm.
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 BC Cetacean Sightings Network. The evening will have you informed, inspired, and ready to become a citizen scientist.
The event is sponsored by the Vancouver Aquarium Cetacean Research Lab. All proceeds from the evening will support VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station public education programs.
Lecture tickets are $10 each. Dinner will be available at the Field Station between 5:30 and 7 pm (salmon burgers served with house Caesar) and tickets must be purchased in advance ($15 each).
Both lecture and dinner tickets are available at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station in Bowser, Salish Sea Market in Bowser, Weinberg’s Grocery in Buckley Bay, the Courtyard Café in Qualicum Beach and at the Welcome Centre at VIU’s Nanaimo campus.
The Deep Bay Marine Field Station, located about an hour's drive north of Nanaimo in the community of Bowser, is a key research facility for VIU and is fast becoming a popular tourism destination for the region.
The facility supports coastal and marine research related to sustainable shellfish aquaculture development, preservation of coastal ecosystems and interdisciplinary projects involving local communities. It is also open to the public year round as a marine science centre. The touch tanks and aquaria offer hands-on learning opportunities to educate school children, community members and other groups about marine life.
With stunning panoramic views of Baynes Sound and on-site culinary facilities, the Field Station is becoming a popular venue for weddings, celebrations, conferences, workshops and other events. Staff at the Field Station are available to help arrange interpretive tours for school and community groups and individuals, customized workshops, birthday parties and even overnight programs.
The Field Station is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors can take a self- guided tour of the facility, learn about marine conservation issues and how to help protect the environment. During certain times of the year, visitors can observe research underway in labs from the viewing mezzanine.
Regular admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children, or $15 for a family of four (two adults, two children)
For more information, visit www.viu.ca/deepbay or call 250-740-6611.
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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
