Event: Stream assessment survey
Contact: Ray Woroniak
For more information and to become a member of NatureKids visit our website page https://www.mabr.ca/naturekids
Join us for the MABR Traditional Plant Workshop, featuring presentations from local experts: Snuneymuxw Elder Geraldine Manson, Dr. Nancy Turner, and Kim Recalma.
Learn about traditional plant names, gathering locations, harvesting tools, techniques, and the cultural, nutritional, and medicinal significance of native species. Guests will also have the opportunity to create and sample a variety of foods and medicines made from native plants. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your connection to local knowledge and traditional practices.
About the presenters:
Geraldine Manson (C’etasia) is an Elder-in-Residence for VIU and in this role finds herself working directly with students, faculty and staff sharing all she has learned over the years from her Elders. Her, Snuneymuxw Elders chose her many years ago to be mentored by them. They shared the history of the land, from the mountains to the rivers that flow into the Salish Sea and back to the land; all the resources each contain. The importance of the environment. They taught her culture and values of life. That language was important to learn and why. Her Auntie Ellen White taught her the importance of plants and making medicine. Not just make medicine but the sacredness of what encircles the path of making medicine.
Dr. Nancy Turner is well-known across Canada for her passion and devotion in ethnobotany. She became connected to many First Nation Elders within their communities from Coast to Coast whose expert knowledge on plants and uses demonstrated how important their knowledge was of what native plants and ecological interactions are with the environment changes/seasons. Nancy has produced several books on the cultural importance of plants and their uses.
Oqwilowgwa or Kim Recalma-Clutesi is an artist, film maker and educator who works within her Nation, academically and cross-culturally. She has received extensive cultural, academic and political training since childhood. Kim has worked with traditional medicines for more than 50 years. She has won international awards for films and work documenting the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples.
Admission is by donation at the door, and tickets must be reserved through Eventbrite. Space is limited. Register to secure your spot here.
For any questions, please contact the event organizer at Ray.Woroniak@viu.ca.
Get ready for the June Biosphere BioBlitz by mastering the iNaturalist application! Learn how to identify, record, and share your observations of local species using this powerful citizen-science tool. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced naturalist, this training session will prepare you to make meaningful contributions to the upcoming June Biosphere BioBlitz and connect with nature in a technical and exciting way.
To register please contact Ray Woroniak
Join the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region for this dynamic two-part Think Tank session focused on fostering sustainable tourism and creating community culture events to draw visitors to the Oceanside area during BC’s Culture Days and in celebration of UNESCO World Tourism Day on Sept 27th.
To register please contact Ray Woroniak@viu.ca
Get ready for the June Biosphere BioBlitz by mastering the iNaturalist application! Learn how to identify, record, and share your observations of local species using this powerful citizen-science tool. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced naturalist, this training session will prepare you to make meaningful contributions to the upcoming June Biosphere BioBlitz and connect with nature in a technical and exciting way.
To register please contact Ray Woroniak
For youth aged 13 - 18, Junior Streamkeepers is an interactive and educational experience designed to introduce youth to the principles and practices of stream and watershed stewardship. Participants typically begin with an engaging overview of the local ecosystem, focusing on the importance of streams, wetlands, and riparian habitats for fish and wildlife. The session includes hands-on activities, such as water quality testing, aquatic invertebrate sampling, and fish habitat assessments, using tools like nets, identification guides, and water testing kits. Guided by experienced Streamkeepers, the trainees learn to observe and document ecological indicators, understand how human activities impact stream health, and explore ways to mitigate these impacts. Activities are tailored to be fun and accessible, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility while developing skills like teamwork, observation, and scientific inquiry. The session concludes with discussions on local conservation efforts and how participants can actively contribute to protecting and restoring their community’s waterways.
Location: begins in the MABR Education Centre then moves to Beach Creek Qualicum Beach
Space is limited and pre-registration is required
Contact: Ray Woroniak
This session led by Jared Shaw from the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce will guide participants in designing effective surveys using Google Forms, focusing on maximizing participation by making questionnaires fun, engaging and user-friendly. Attendees will learn practical tips for creating interactive and visually appealing forms that encourage respondents to complete them. In addition, the session will cover selecting the most effective question types based on the specific data you aim to collect. Whether for feedback, research, or outreach, participants will gain the skills to design impactful surveys that deliver valuable insights while utilizing the full potential of Google Forms' features.
Space is limited and registration is required.
Contact Ray Woroniak to register.
Location: Heritage Forest trail entrance on Village Way
Event: Stream assessment survey
Contact: Ray Woroniak
For more information and to become a member of NatureKids visit our website page https://www.mabr.ca/naturekids
Location: Heritage Forest trail entrance on Village Way
Event: Stream assessment survey
Contact: Ray Woroniak
For more information and to become a member of NatureKids visit our website page https://www.mabr.ca/naturekids
The MABR BioBlitz is an annual citizen-science event driven by the 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 identification of flora and fauna.
Dates: June 6 - 8, 2025
Locations: TBD
To register please contact Mandy Fraser
Would you like to help shape this year’s Rivers Day Festival? Join us in planning engaging activities and educational experiences that celebrate our waterways and make a lasting impact. Together, we’ll create a new annual and unforgettable event that highlights the vital importance of our rivers and fosters a stronger human connection to nature.
To register please contact Ray Woroniak
This vibrant evening market with local artisan vendors, offers a wide range of products, crafts, and delicious foods that were locally made and produced alongside live music. The Qualicum Beach Thursday Night Market takes place each Thursday throughout July and August, 2025.
Musician: TBD
Market Dates:
July 3, 2025
July 10, 2025
July 17, 2025
July 24, 2025
July 31, 2025
August 7, 2025
August 14, 2025
August 21, 2025
August 28, 2025
Rivers Day brings together various stewardship groups to offer guided educational tours, salmon spotting, interactive displays and booths, a craft station, a river scavenger hunt, workshops and prizes. MABR River’s Day provides an opportunity for families and community to connect with nature and each other in an outdoor setting.
Location Englishman River TBD
Celebrate the wonders of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region at our Annual Fundraising Dinner Gala. An enchanting evening dedicated to preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our shared environment. 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.
Location: TBD
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 their services, and functions in the biosphere region. Students learn about volunteer and training opportunities, different career paths, and opportunities with the groups. Students also learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how these groups play a role in advancing the SDGs.
What sustainable practices do you incorporate into your daily life, and how can others adopt them?
Join us for this dynamic Circle Talk where we’ll explore these questions together to create a biosphere guide to practical ideas for sustainable living, empowering residents to make small changes that collectively benefit the biosphere.
Contact: Ray Woroniak
The Brant Wildlife Festival aims to connect 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 and herring spawning, many other species are attracted to the shores and waters. Beaches within the MABR and surrounding areas provide an abundant food source for the Brant geese in the midst of their migration.
The Brant Wildlife Festival brings together thousands of people each year to celebrate nature. The festival hosts a multitude of events in the Spring that connect people with nature, educate people of all ages on topics of conservation, and celebrate the incredible biodiversity our region has to offer. The Brant Wildlife Festival is the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island.
Contact: Mandy Fraser
Event: Guided Tour of Heritage Forest
Contact: Ray Woroniak
For more information and to become a member of NatureKids visit our website page https://www.mabr.ca/naturekids
Arrowview Elementary School will host the 3rd annual Brant Wildlife Children's Festival in their gymnasium. Please join us for this public celebration of learning orchestrated by Arrowview Elementary students and teachers together with the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. The Brant Wildlife Children's Festival underscores our community's passion for collaboration and the environment featuring educational displays from over 25 different Vancouver Island groups together with students from preschool through high school. This event provides insight into our youth's devotion for preserving nature while paralleling the community groups' endeavours. Bridging the gap between classrooms and the community, fostering a collective sense of responsibility for the environment together.
Join the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region for this dynamic two-part Think Tank session focused on fostering sustainable tourism and creating community culture events to draw visitors to the Oceanside area during BC’s Culture Days and in celebration of UNESCO World Tourism Day on September 27th.
To register please contact Ray Woroniak@viu.ca
Explore eelgrass ecology, its habitat, and its essential role in coastal ecosystems. Discover ongoing restoration and conservation efforts and how eelgrass meadows support biodiversity, sustain salmon populations, and enhance shoreline stability.
Learn about World Seagrass Day, celebrated annually on March 1st, and explore the Resilient Estuaries of the Salish Sea project—its successes, challenges, and the collaborative work being done to safeguard estuaries for the future.
The presenters from SeaChange will have an informative display about estuaries and eelgrass. Estuaries are vital wetland habitats, formed where freshwater from rivers meet the saltwater of the ocean and mix. Come visit the MABR Educational Centre to learn more about healthy estuary ecosystems, the eelgrass lifecycle, wildlife that live in eelgrass meadows, and what you can do to help keep estuaries healthy. The display will have interactive art, games, and colouring sheets you can take home!
Speakers:
Susan Anthony, Biological Researcher and Project Manager
Phil Climie, Regional Coordinator
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Contact: Ray Woroniak
A recognition initiative that highlights the remarkable contributions of local stewardship groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. 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 curious about how you can make a difference, The Power of Stewardship is for you.
Schedule:
9:45am - Doors open
10:00am - Discussion panel begins
11:00am - First speaker: Ally Badger and Haley Tomlin will present Tire Wear Toxin Monitoring, stewardship volunteers and the BCCF.
11:30am - Second speaker: Nancy Randall - presentation to be announced soon.
The panel will host local experts Erica Forssmen, RDN Drinking Water & Watershed Protection Coordinator, and Jacob Melville, DFO Community Advisor. The panel will be facilitated by Dr. Pam Shaw, MABRRI Research Director.
Join us for animal-based crafts and a new MABR watershed puzzle. For more information and to become a member of NatureKids, visit our NatureKids page.
Contact: Ray Woroniak
Would you like to help shape this year’s Rivers Day Festival? Join us in planning engaging activities and educational experiences that celebrate our waterways and make a lasting impact. Together, we’ll create a new annual and unforgettable event that highlights the vital importance of our rivers and fosters a stronger human connection to nature.
To register please contact Ray Woroniak
Led by Jared Shaw from the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, this session will introduce participants to various AI tools, explaining their features, differences, and practical applications. Attendees will learn how to use these tools to streamline tasks such as minute-taking, image creation, and grant writing, empowering them to integrate AI into their workflows effectively.
Space is limited and registration is required.
Contact Ray Woroniak to register.
Join us on February 15 for an open, reflective workshop where we invite you to share your personal experiences and observations of climate change. This is an opportunity to connect with others and hear how climate change is impacting our lives in different ways. Through shared stories, we’ll explore the human side of the climate crisis and deepen our understanding of how it’s shaping our world.
Register here! Additional workshops will be held in March, April, and May, 2025. Please check back for more details, or contact the Project Coordinator, Courtney Vaugeois, if you would like to receive details once they are confirmed.
The workshop format has been found to be a space that provides the opportunity for participants to share similar or different experiences, which prompts ideas or thoughts that may not have been considered or remembered. The workshop will be semi-structured, guided by some draft questions, but will be flexible to new questions and topics that may arise. The interview will be approximately 90 minutes in duration and capped at 12 participants to ensure meaningful dialogue.
All participants must live in the MABR and be 19 years of age or older. Visit our project webpage for more information.
If you are interested in participating in an interview or workshop, contact our team:
Project Coordinator, Courtney Vaugeois
Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute
Vancouver Island University
Courtney.Vaugeois@viu.ca
Principal Investigator, Dr. Pam Shaw
Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute
Vancouver Island University
Pam.Shaw@viu.ca
Imagine the MABR in 10 or 20 years. What changes do you envision for the environment and the community? Join us for this dynamic Circle Talk where we’ll explore these questions together with the objective to create a shared vision for the region’s future, focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, and biodiversity. Your insights will help guide our efforts in conservation, community development, and the stewardship of our natural resources.
This Circle Talk will also be used for data collection of the MABR Climate Change Realities project. Conducted by the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), the MABR Climate Change Realities project aims to capture the local climate change experiences and realities of people living in the MABR. Learn more about this project: https://mabrri.viu.ca/mabr-climate-change-realities
To register, please contact Ray Woroniak.
Join us in celebrating World Wetlands Day as we explore the vital role of Hamilton Marsh in sustaining biodiversity, and combating climate change.
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) would like to invite you to attend our open house in Qualicum Beach on Friday, January 24, 2025.
The MABR Education Centre located at 124 West 2nd Ave Qualicum Beach will be open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm welcoming guests to learn about the biosphere region and our role in the community: connecting people with nature and creating vibrancy for a sustainable thriving economy.
Our vision for 2025 will be on display along with data and reports from key researchers and biosphere contributors, including the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN).
This is a chance to connect with local experts, explore the biosphere’s past and current projects, and find ways to contribute to this remarkable region. There will be opportunity to register for our upcoming events and programming including training workshops, speaker series, circle talks and think tanks.
As a UNESCO-designated biosphere region, MABR serves as a global role model for sustainable development prioritizing the conservation of biological and cultural diversity. Through active partnerships and community engagement, MABR aims to balance human and environmental needs while creating thriving sustainable economies by delivering innovative community education, events, research, and projects.
Join us for one of our NatureKids activities on January 22nd at the MABR Education Centre. For more information and to become a member of NatureKids, visit our NatureKids page.
Contact: Ray Woroniak