From May 14-25th, a group of 24 upper-level biology students, with faculty members Jenn Barrett, Debbie Wheeler, Sandra Gillespie, Dina Navon, Yvonne Dzal and UFV alumnus Dilan Praat, travelled to Tofino, BC, for Biology’s first field school since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 12 days of hands-on learning, students explored the incredible diversity of ecosystems within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, including temperate rainforests and bogs with biology faculty member Harley Gordon, as well as mudflats, rocky intertidal zones, sandy beaches, and eelgrass beds. Along the way, students learned about the ecology of the region, as well as historical, social, and Indigenous issues, from both UFV faculty and local experts and organizations:
- Students got their feet wet beach seining with the Raincoast Education Society,
- They learned about Nuu-chah-nulth culture and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas with Eli Enns, co-founder of the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, and
- They explored the challenges and successes of coastal conservation and restoration with the Redd Fish Restoration Society.
Through their own research projects, students gained practical experience in field methods, while building valuable skills in research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. The field school provided students with the opportunity to learn from the land, work closely with peers and faculty, and experience firsthand the excitement of discovery and scientific inquiry in natural ecosystems, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Behind every successful field school are months of planning. A huge thank you to Jenn Barrett, Debbie Wheeler, and Sandra Gillespie for their hard work in bringing Biology’s field school back for the first time since 2019!
