Hosts: Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and Mosaic Forest Management
Attendees: Maximum 14 guests per day
Tour Leads: Ray Woroniak and Graham Sakaki (MABR) and Steve Adams and Pam Jorgenson (Mosaic)
Event Overview: Join the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) and Mosaic Forest Management (Mosaic) for a unique tour exploring the beauty and ecological diversity of our region through the lens of British Columbia’s Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) zones. This full day experience begins with a short indoor presentation and hands-on training session at the ts’xwelikshenawtxw (MABR Education Centre), where participants will learn how to identify forest ecosystems using the Field Guide for Site Interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. Then, embark on an experiential journey through forest lands, and riparian areas making stops in distinct biogeoclimatic zones, such as the Coastal Douglas-fir and Coastal Western Hemlock. Using the Field Guide, participants will gain practical skills in site identification and a foundational understanding of the diverse ecological landscapes that define our UNESCO-designated biosphere region.
Key Considerations: This tour will have a field component to it that may challenge participants. There will be one location where participants will be expected to walk ~1.0km roundtrip with considerable slopes each way. The tour has risks that include but are not limited to: trips, slips and falls, insect bites and stings and potential wildlife encounters. Neither the MABR or Mosaic take any responsibility for individuals’ participation in this tour and each participant will be asked to sign a personal liability waiver form before heading into the field. Both the MABR and Mosaic will also be collecting photo images of the tour which may be used on social media, a photo release form will be provided to each participant for signature.
Itinerary: Participants will meet at ts’xwelikshenawtxw (MABR Education Centre) located at 124 West Second Avenue, Qualicum Beach.
9:00-9:15 Welcome and Introductions
9:15-9:30 BEC Zone Presentation
9:30-10:15 BEC Zone Training Session
10:15-10:30 Safety Briefing*
10:30-11:00 Travel
11:00-12:15 BEC Site Number 1
12:15-1:00 Travel (eat lunch on bus)
1:00-2:45 BEC Site Number 2
2:45-3:30 Travel (return to ts’xwelikshenawtxw)
To register, contact Ray Woroniak at Ray.Woroniak@viu.ca