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Applications are accepted on a continuous basis through the academic year (Aug 15 – July 15th) on the ROMEO research application portal. Following submission, all applications undergo an initial review to determine the level of REB review required.

The BC Wildlife Federation partnered with Greenways Land Trust in Campbell River, BC to host a Wetlands Keeper course free of charge and open to the public. Wetlands are important ecosystems that are disappearing in BC and urgently needs community protection. In 2016, MABRRI started a wetland mapping project in partnership with the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and Vancouver Island University (VIU). This project is helping build an inventory of where wetlands are, and promotes research regarding connectivity between wetlands and other water systems.

The perks of working with MABRRI were on full display on Friday June 9th when myself, Ryan and Maria launched The Silver Bullet (Ryan’s boat) from Schooner Cove in Nanoose. We set out to locate and sample bull kelp in the Salish Sea, which has been disappearing along the coast of south east Vancouver Island.  Our first target was around the east and north side of Gabriola Island where I snorkeled and searched the cool waters for any signs of bull kelp.  However, while we found some drifting in the tide line, no live bull kelp was found after over an hour of searching.

Today, June 9, 2017, Ashley, Kayla, Lauren, and I (Carson) set out to Milner Gardens to do our best impression of swamp monsters as we completed some wetland mapping. Starting at 8am we loaded our gear in the MABRRI truck and started northbound on the Island highway. After about a 40 minute drive with some excellent scenery along the way we arrived at our destination, the picturesque Milner Gardens. Pulling into the parking lot we were greeted by a very calm group of deer lounging about in flat spot of grass near the truck.

MABRRI is currently working with Snaw-Naw-As First Nation to develop the Snaw-Naw-As Garden of Spiritual Healing over the course of two years. The main goal of the garden is to help preserve traditional knowledge and language pertaining to local native plant species. The garden will also help promote food security, raise awareness of physical and mental health benefits associated with gardening, and foster a sense of community by being a place where members can teach, learn, and explore gardening together.

On Wednesday May 3, MABRRI research assistants Ryan Fredrickson, Kidston Short, and Larissa Thelin spent the day on the Salish Sea with Captain Tom Fredrickson to do water sampling for the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project. Coordinated by Canadian-based Pacific Salmon Foundation and American-based Long Live the Kings, the project aims to determine the primary factors affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea.

On Tuesday, May 2 the newest MABRRI research assistants went on a tour of the MABR to get acquainted with where we will be working all summer. During this day trip we went to Little Qualicum Falls, a provincial park designated as a UNESCO Amazing Place. For many of us, this was our first time at the falls. The tall mossy cliffs and gorgeous waterfall made us understand why Little Qualicum Falls was chosen as one of MABR’s 10 Amazing Places.

On Saturday March 25th, Students from Vancouver Island University (VIU), in association with Staff from the City of Parksville, hosted a World Café for the Community Parks Master Plan & Survey Project. From 10am – 3pm, students worked with members of the community to draw ideas about the future of the City’s Parks and Trails. Altogether, seventeen students from Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), Masters of Community Planning (MCP), and a range of bachelors programs volunteered to facilitate the World Café.

On Monday morning a few of the MABRRI researchers (Graham, Kayla, Ryan) loaded up our inflatable boat (Big Red), a kayak, our inflatable life jackets, three dry suits for snorkeling, our flippers and masks and the all of the necessary safety gear into the F-150 VIU work truck. We then made a quick stop for coffee and some breaky and headed for the 6:30am ferry over to Gabriola Island. Once we made it over to Gabriola, we found our way to Orlebar Point and Barry Point with the help of our tour guide (Kayla) who grew up on Gabriola Island.