Think Tanks

MABR Think Tanks are collaborative and action-oriented sessions that bring together residents, experts, community leaders, Indigenous knowledge holders, and community group to develop innovative solutions for environmental, social, and sustainability challenges, as well as community events and initiatives aimed at inspiring a thriving and vibrant local economy. Through facilitated brainstorming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategic action planning, these sessions generate practical, scalable, and community-driven strategies. Each Think Tank concludes with a report summarizing the findings and proposed solutions, offering a clear roadmap for future initiatives that align with the MABR’s vision for a sustainable and resilient future. Focused on addressing pressing local issues, these Think Tanks play a pivotal role in driving meaningful change within the community.

NatureKids

MABR NatureKids is a family-oriented program that offers children and their families the opportunity to explore and connect with nature together. Spending time outdoors has been shown to improve health, happiness, and focus, and the program fosters these benefits while nurturing a deep appreciation for the natural world. By encouraging meaningful and ongoing experiences with local plants, animals, and wild places, the program aims to inspire children to develop a lasting love for nature and a commitment to its protection. In partnership with NatureKids BC, MABR is proud to offer these enriching opportunities within the MABR.

Tech Tuesdays

MABR Tech Tuesdays are a dynamic workshop series tailored to empower non-profits and other community groups in the MABR by enhancing their technological capabilities for increased productivity and sustainability. These interactive, expert-led sessions span everything from website creation to implementation, user-friendly website tools, maintenance and best practices, social media engagement, search engine optimization (SEO) training, and other topics brought forward by community.

Tech Tuesdays aims to empower local non-profits with the knowledge to become self-sufficient in their digital efforts, improve community outreach, and increase visibility for their causes. The workshops offer hands-on learning, Q&A, and practical guidance to help nonprofits thrive in a digital landscape. By leveraging these tools and techniques, non-profits can foster greater connections with their communities and advance their missions while contributing to the broader sustainability goals of the MABR.

Open Houses

Hosting Open Houses provides MABR with valuable opportunities to deepen its connection with the community while showcasing its mandates, current initiatives, and future research and engagement goals. These events offer a platform for community to learn about the biosphere region, raising awareness of its impact and fostering collective action for sustainability. Highlighting past accomplishments, ongoing projects, and upcoming programs, the MABR Open Houses promotes transparency and builds trust within the community. These events also serve as an opportunity to express gratitude to sponsors and volunteers, recognizing their contributions and encouraging continued support. This event also serves as platform to promote upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, helping the MABR ensure active participation and build momentum for the year ahead. Overall, the MABR Open Houses strengthens MABR's role as a leader in environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and community engagement, inspiring a shared community commitment towards a sustainable future.

Speaker Spotlights

MABR Speaker Spotlights are events that bring together experts within their field of study to share their insights on topics relevant to the MABR mandates. These gatherings feature a keynote presentation followed by a facilitated Q&A session. The Speaker Spotlight aims to educate and stimulate thought while fostering networking opportunities among community members, experts, and like-minded individuals. Speaker Spotlights contribute to building stronger connections within the region, supporting the community’s commitment to sustainability, and aligning with UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By offering a space for dialogue and collaboration, these events inspire action and contribute to policy, research, and environmental stewardship efforts. Ultimately, this supports the MABR fulfill its mission of connecting people with nature and bolsters a thriving and informed community with a lasting impact on sustainability and community development.

Visual Media Nights

MABR Visual Media Nights combine the art of filmmaking with the mission of advancing MABR’s mandates, creating a deeper emotional connection between the community and the environment. Through the power of storytelling, these events aim to educate, engage, and inspire the community to work together toward a thriving and sustainable future. Media Nights are impactful events that allow the MABR to fulfill its strategic objectives of conservation, education, community engagement, climate action and reconciliation. These events utilize the universal appeal of storytelling and film to inspire action, celebrate achievements, and connect people to the beauty and significance of the MABR, reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The Power of Stewardship

A recognition initiative that highlights the remarkable contributions of local stewardship groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and enhancing the MABR, this event is a great way to meet local stewardship groups and discover volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and the work being done to protect and enhance our local environment. Attendees can explore interactive displays showcasing innovative projects, hear inspiring stories from local environmental leaders, listen to scheduled speakers, and participate in Q&A. The event also provides opportunities to network with like-minded individuals, learn how to support local conservation initiatives and build a stronger, more connected community. Whether you're a seasoned conservationist or simply curious about how you can make a difference, the Power of Stewardship is for you.

Traditional Plant Workshop

Held annually in the Spring, this workshop features presentations from three local experts, including Snuneymuxw First Nation Elder Geraldine Manson, Qualicum First Nation Elder Kim Recalma, and Ethnobotanist Dr. Nancy Turner. These knowledge holders and experts share traditional plant names, techniques and tools for harvesting, as well as the cultural, nutritional, ceremonial, and medicinal properties of native plants and how they are prepared. Guests often also have the opportunity to sample different native plant foods and create medicine.

Stewardship Training Series

Every May, the MABR hosts weekly hands-on environmental stewardship and citizen science training courses and workshops designed for participants of all ages and experience levels. These events aim to empower individuals, community groups, and organizations with practical skills and knowledge to advance conservation, sustainable development, and climate resilience in our region. Whether you're a citizen scientist, a policymaker, or simply someone passionate about environmental stewardship, these workshops provide the tools and connections needed to make a lasting impact in the MABR and beyond.

Biosphere BioBlitz

The MABR BioBlitz is an annual citizen-science event driven by community and spanning across three days. The BioBlitz is aimed at documenting as many species as possible within a specific area and timeframe. It provides a fun and engaging way to connect with the environment while contributing valuable data for scientific research and conservation efforts. The MABR BioBlitz is tailored to all levels of experts who want to learn and support the identification of local flora and fauna.

Thursday Night Markets

Each summer, the MABR Qualicum Beach Thursday Night Market brings together local vendors to celebrate and contribute to building a healthy economy and an equitable society. This vibrant market offers a wide range of products, crafts, and delicious foods that are locally produced and/or crafted. By supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, the market promotes economic sustainability and fosters social well-being, strengthening our community. The market is one small step forward to creating a pathway to a more sustainable economy in the MABR.

Biogeoclimatic Bus Tours and BBQ

This bi-weekly event in July is dedicated to exploring the terrestrial beauty of our biosphere region focusing on its biogeoclimatic zones. Participants will start the day with a short presentation and training session and then experience an experiential three-hour journey through diverse landscapes, where they will gain unique insights into the various ecosystems that make up our biosphere region. Following the tours a BBQ will be provided where community members can gather, socialize, and share their experiences from the day. This casual atmosphere is perfect for building connections and fostering a sense of community and connectedness within the MABR.

Rivers Day Celebration

Rivers Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September as part of World Rivers Day. World Rivers Day is a global celebration of waterways highlighting their value and importance to our communities and promoting better stewardship. This event brings together various groups to offer guided educational tours, salmon spotting, interactive displays and booths, a craft station, a river scavenger hunt, workshops and prizes. MABR Rivers Day provides an opportunity for families and community to connect with nature and each other in an outdoor setting.

MABR Fundraising Gala

Celebrate the wonders of the MABR at our Annual Fundraising Dinner Gala, which is an event dedicated to fundraising that contributes to the MABR’s four Legacy Funds. This elegant affair combines fine dining, inspiring stories, and meaningful contributions to support the vital work of MABR in promoting conservation, sustainability, and community stewardship. Most importantly this event shows heartfelt appreciation for our generous sponsors and the accomplishments our sponsors have made possible.

Brant Wildlife Children’s Festival

This celebration of learning focuses on elementary-aged students and their families, bringing together local and regional stewardship groups working alongside students from K-12. Participants create interactive displays showcasing their enthusiasm for nature and the natural environment. This event truly underscores our community’s passion for collaboration by highlighting the devotion to our youth living within the MABR, while reflecting the efforts of our community groups, bridging the gap between classrooms and the community, and fostering a collective sense of responsibility for the environment collectively.

Brant Wildlife Festival

The Brant Wildlife Festival connects community with the spectacular migratory return of Brant geese to raise awareness for the biological diversity within the region and highlight the importance of protecting critical habitat and minimizing disturbance to wildlife. The Brant Wildlife Festival takes place during a time where wildlife is extremely active, with Brant Geese preparing for their migration, Pacific herring spawning, and many other species are attracted to the shores and waters contributing to a plethora of biodiversity. Beaches within the MABR and surrounding areas provide an abundant food source for the Brant geese amid their migration, along with many other resident and migratory species alike. The Brant Wildlife Festival hosts a multitude of events in the Spring that connect thousands of people with nature, educating and engaging participants of all ages on topics of conservation, and celebrates the incredible biodiversity our region has to offer. The Brant Wildlife Festival is the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island.

Biosphere Awareness Day

Biosphere Awareness Day (or BAD Day) takes place in the Kwalikum Secondary School gymnasium and aims to raise awareness that we live in a UNESCO-designated biosphere region and the collective efforts of all that go into supporting its mandates. This trade show-style event features local non-profit groups setting up table displays and providing information for the students to learn more about the many stewardship groups, the services each provides, and strategic objectives of the MABR. Students learn about volunteer and training opportunities, different career paths, and opportunities to engage with the many stewardship groups. Students also learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how the local stewardship groups play a vital role in advancing the SDGs at a local level.