Vancouver Island University (VIU) Deep Bay Marine Field Station is joining forces with the Brant Wildlife Festival for the second year in a row to offer people of all ages a chance to learn about wildlife and marine science.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the fantastic line up of events for the 2014 Brant Wildlife Festival March 1 to April 22,” says Brian Kingzett, Manager of VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station.
“The Festival is a celebration of nature, particularly Brant geese as they rest and feed on the shores of the Parksville and Qualicum Beach areas on Vancouver Island. Our goal at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station in Bowser is to help educate people about marine science and our local waters.”
Activity highlights at Deep Bay Marine Field Station during the Brant Wildlife Festival include a Spring Harvest Dinner (March 10), spring break camps for kids (March 19), a Kids Day Open House (March 22), and a new Film and Speaker Series starting March 6.
Nature Trust of B.C. Director and co-founder of the Pacific Wildlife Foundation, Dr. Rob Butler, is the keynote speaker at a Spring Harvest Dinner at the Station March 10.
Following a gourmet feast of fresh local food prepared by VIU’s award-winning Culinary Arts students, Dr. Butler will give a presentation entitled The Salish Sea: Nature and a Sense of Place, which focuses on his search for the roots of Salish Sea culture, seeking insight into its diverse and abundant natural world.
Dr. Butler is an award-winning ornithologist known for his research on birds, radio and television appearances and for his popular writing style. He is also a Fellow of the Explorers Club, American Ornithologists Union, and has held executive positions in several science and conservation non-profit groups.
Doors open at 6 pm, and tickets ($60 each) are available at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, 370 Crome Pt. Road in Bowser, at the Salish Sea Market in Bowser, or by calling 250-740-6611.
For more details on all VIU activities at Deep Bay Marine Field Station during the Brant Wildlife Festival, including the spring break kids camps and Kid’s Day Open House, please visit www.viu.ca/deepbay
For information about other Brant Wildlife Festival activities, visit www.brantfestival.bc.ca or call toll free 1-866-288-7878. The Nature Trust of B.C is helping to coordinate the Festival.
About the Deep Bay Marine Field Station
Located about a half hour’s drive north of Parksville in the community of Bowser, Vancouver Island University’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station is a key research facility and public marine science centre that is fast becoming a popular tourism destination for the region.
It’s open daily to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.