In August 2020, after a whirlwind setup with help from Marie Fournier at Cetus, Alexandra Friedman caught a small boat from Port McNeill, BC to start her work at the Eagle Eye facility on West Cracroft Island as part of the Robson Bight Warden, later moving to Quadra Island Straitwatch program monitoring Northern Resident Killer Whales. This is a self-initiated opportunity to build on her background in Biology & Field Studies.

Cetus Research & Conservation Society is a non-profit marine conservation organization dedicated to protecting the lives of whales in the wild through research, education and direct intervention. Cetus was founded in 2005 to address the increasing endangerment of BC's killer whales due to human activities – as vessel traffic in the region increases, they work in the field to protect whales and other marine mammals from harassment and harm.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a joint conservation initiative of Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada, is the largest direct action conservation program in Canada. Every year, we inspire tens of thousands of Canadians to take action against litter, and particularly plastic, by participating in cleanups at their local lake, river, beach or park. The litter data collected by our citizen scientists has informed plastic policy at the municipal, provincial and federal level in Canada.

Hannah Kosichek will work closely with mentors Kate Le Souef and Julia Wakeling to inspire, inform and motivate Canadians to participate in cleanup efforts. She'll get to practice lots of different communications, writing and media skills, along with planning and coordination to get local projects going. Using GIS software, Hannah will also get to create unique storymaps to showcase the impact of the program! Her background in biology, international travel experiences and love for the ocean and all its inhabitants mean that Hannah is the perfect person to share her passions on the ground, literally, as you'll likely find her working hard at a local shoreline!

Howe Sound/Atl’ka7tsem is within the traditional and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and borders the Tsleil-waututh and Musqueam Nations’ territories.

Howe Sound/Atl’ka7tsem Research & Conservation aims to build regional capacity to protect, restore, and be stewards of human and natural values associated with the Sound’s aquatic environments. Amy Kikuchi brings a diverse skillset in environmental science, forest conservation and Indigenous knowledge, along with passion for reconciliation, biodiversity, conservation and environmental justice. From her home in Toronto, Amy is working with researchers Fiona Beaty and Laura Borden to build a community map, create education resources and collect stories, articles and photos highlighting unique elements of Howe Sound’s marine ecosystems and culture, weaving knowledge systems to understand long-term change. With her creativity, we have no doubt that Amy will do amazing work with the Howe Sound team.

To learn more, visit  https://makeway.org/project/howe-sound-atlkitsem-marine-reference-guide/

The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) promotes conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems through scientific research, environmental education and marine wildlife response. MERS is a registered Canadian charity based in Port McNeill, B.C. and was founded by a group of biologists and educators in 2010. Emily Pejic comes to Direct Action with a background in ecological conservation and GIS mapping; she’s done some education and outreach and can now tie this with research and data analysis toward her goal of becoming a marine biologist. Emily’s work through Direct Action will be essential in MERS’ efforts to study and protect marine mammals in British Columbia, assisting with the development of a central and collaborative Province-wide Humpback Whale Catalogue.

MORE DETAILS SOON TO COME!

This placement is part of the Ocean Wise Research Institute. The North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative (NCCRI) was established in Prince Rupert in 2014 and has since grown to become a dynamic community-based program of cetacean research, conservation, and public outreach with broad collaborative links with industry, government, First Nations, and educational institutions.

It was a very long ferry ride for Sydni Long, who arrived in Prince Rupert in September to start her placement with Ocean Wise’s North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative (NCCRI). Sydni’s experience with the University of Victoria Whale Lab and background in geography encouraged a love for cetaceans that extended to her life outside of school, where she volunteers as a Sightings Analyst with the Wild Ocean Whales Society. She’ll be busy on the boat doing cetacean surveys and photo ID’s, maintaining a humpback whale photo identification catalogue, responding to sightings submitted to the BC Cetacean Sightings Network, and supporting public engagement and education through social media and blogs.

Learn more about the team here: https://wildwhales.org/our-tea... 

This placement is part of the Ocean Wise Research Institute. The North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative (NCCRI) was established in Prince Rupert in 2014 and has since grown to become a dynamic community-based program of cetacean research, conservation, and public outreach with broad collaborative links with industry, government, First Nations, and educational institutions.

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

Learn more about the team here: https://wildwhales.org/our-tea... 

Genomics is a valuable tool in the world of conservation, and new technology and innovation is opening up entirely new avenues to accomplish conservation goals. Direct Action Ocean Ambassadors will work directly with Ocean Wise researcher Adam Warner in the Conservation Genetics lab to use nanopore-based DNA sequencing to create genetic fingerprints for field samples from killer whales. Besides learning how the DNA sequencing process works, helping to develop genetic fingerprints for each fecal sample, and matching those fingerprints to particular killer whales, participants will share their learning through the creation of an interactive learning tool designed to help educators and people in the community.

This placement is mostly virtual, but if safe to do so, participants will also spend up to two weeks in the West Vancouver PSEC lab!

The Ocean Biodiversity Research program’s (formerly Howe Sound Research) has over 40 years of marine research experience and is one of the longest running coastal monitoring programs in Canada. This multidisciplinary team works closely with citizen scientists and community groups to achieve scientific and conservation excellence. The team explores diverse types of shallow seabed habitats in Howe Sound, British Columbia, and currently involves over 100 citizen scientists and 5 research projects.

The “Ocean Citizens” project will help to maintain engagement and grow their network of citizen scientists throughout British Columbia to better monitor and protect threatened marine species. Direct Action participants will get to exercise a variety of education and outreach skills including public engagement, web development, guide creation and social media.

The blue economy concept is expanding worldwide, with policymakers recognizing its growing importance to managing aquatic and coastal space. Charlotte Banks, with mentorship from Parks Canada staff like Danny Major, Munju Ravindra and Hali Moreland, will start groundbreaking research on what exactly a blue economy means, its implications for marine conservation, and those impacted by it. Using two different coastal communities as case studies, Charlotte's efforts will explore the impacts (economic, cultural, social, ecological) of prioritizing blue economy principles and practices in Canadian coastal communities adjacent to NMCAs.

With a background in waste management and political science, combined with a passion for marine ecosystems, aquatic life, and conservation, we're very excited for Charlotte to practice and grow her skills in a new kind of Direct Action experience!

Parks Canada (PCA) recognizes that the marine environment is fundamental to the social, cultural and economic well-being of people living in coastal communities, and that there is a need to meaningfully engage with these communities to effectively address conservation and management challenges. 

The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR) is currently in the preliminary phase of marine program development and with mentorship from Meaghen McCord at Parks Canada, Katrice Baur is helping to build the foundations for an interdisciplinary and inclusive approach to promote the sustainable use and co-management of resources while maintaining the structure and function of these marine ecosystems. Through an understanding of cultural links, she will help to identify ways to incorporate such understanding into marine conservation and management actions. Although her work will be mostly virtual, Katrice will be able to experience the waters around Vancouver Island and grow some of her skills in Ecological Restoration. This is cutting-edge work that is vital to the long-term future for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve!

From her home in Alberta, Ocean Bridge alumna Jass Baidwan will be working with Munju Ravindra, Senior Advisor, Marine Conservation (Tourism & Transport) at Parks Canada, based in Nova Scotia. Together, they will create a program with the goal of researching and developing national strategies for Marine Tourism and Transportation within protected areas. Armed with a background in sustainable energy development, Jass is driven to take better care of the world and its waters. Her contributions could have large-scale impacts across Canada. These are big ideas that haven’t been explored before and Munju is well positioned to provide the kind of mentorship to break new ground.

This placement is led by Munju Ravindra, Senior Advisor, Marine Conservation (Tourism & Transport) at Parks Canada. The primary goal of this placement is to continue work started by Direct Action and Ocean Bridge 2019 alumna Jass Baidwan, who began researching and developing national strategies for Marine Tourism and Transportation within marine protected areas. This second placement will provide recommendations and guidelines for Parks Canada on cruise tourism in these areas, contributing to large-scale impacts across Canada.

The Ontario Waterways (ONW) region includes two freshwater systems (namely, the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal) composed of canals, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Locks, dams, bridges, other assets, and operational sites are located throughout the ONW. Over the years, staff have taken various actions to protect the environment in these areas and there is potential for further protections. This placement will help to facilitate environmental protection throughout the ONW by creating a workbook of stewardship actions that could be undertaken at Parks Canada sites.

Samantha Arevalo is based in Ontario and has a particular interest in wildlife conservation, having studied Zoology at the University of Guelph. Her experience in rehabilitating and protecting wildlife species in Ontario make her an ideal person to help Parks Canada grow its stewardship goals!

Janelle Bode started her virtual placement with Parks Canada – Ontario Waterways in September. Until now, Parks Canada Field Units in Ontario & Waterways region have addressed issues with phragmites, an invasive plant, each in their own way. The question from Mary Thiess at Parks Canada was how to work better together to tackle this challenge. Through this project, Janelle is developing an understanding of the challenges and complexity of managing aquatic invasive species, networking with protected area managers and Operations staff at Parks Canada to create a document outlining best management practices. Her passion for studying and restoring wetland vegetation and background in ecological restoration will be put to work!

The Parks Canada National Office Marine Conservation Unit, with a focus on the Southern Strait of Georgia led by Pippa Shepherd and Chantal Vis, has several projects that tie into Direct Action experience including developing best management and practices associated with sustainable recreational fishing activities in National Marine Conservation Areas and National Parks. As a former member of the Fish Ecology & Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Caleigh Delle Palme is extending her background in environmental science and biology to learn about BC’s Strait of Georgia from her home in Ottawa with support from Parks Canada’s national team. Her collaboration on this research will help to develop best practice recommendations on Parks Canada recreational fishing management, monitoring and assessment of recreational fishing at both site and national levels.

EcoSuperior & Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior (CLLS) have partnered to host two Direct Action youth, Simon Boudreault and Kelsey Herglotz, on the remote Porphyry Island in Lake Superior, located on the eastern side of the Black Bay Peninsula 40 km east of Thunder Bay. This placement is truly immersive, embracing themes of connection to place, stewardship of living landscape and aquatic conservation. Both Kelsey and Simon have spent a lot of time traveling, but now find themselves focusing on conservation closer to home in Ontario. Simon’s start in business administration has turned sharply toward a career in environmentalism; combined with Kelsey’s experience in international development and geography we know there will be some exciting learning on Porphyry.

Riparia is a Canadian charity that works to connect young women with learning opportunities on the water. With a team of guides, they get unprecedented access to tools (underwater drones! portable microscopes!) and different ways of thinking about and doing science.

Katie Schulze completed her bilingual degree in Biological Sciences in the prairies of Alberta, but fell in love with the water doing field research on Vancouver Island and in Fiji. Her expertise spans science on both land and water. She's working to create opportunities for others to fall in love too, by helping the Riparia team to set up new programming, develop social media content focused on freshwater science, and seek funding and sponsorships for future programming. It's not all logistics - Katie will also get time to develop a pet project driven by her own interests to help further Riparia's mission!

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Isabel Fleisher's initiative brought Swim Drink Fish to our attention and Krystyn Tully was instrumental in setting up Isabel’s placement. Isabel’s love for engaging those around her in meaningful conversation about nature and environmental protection, combined with her educational background in marine biology, contemporary studies and environmental impact assessment, mean that she is perfect for this role. Swim Drink Fish is a non-profit that uses citizen science and communications technology to inspire people to know and safeguard local waters, because everyone has a right to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. Isabel will be working on a number of projects, including research and reporting, water monitoring and analysis, interviewing community water monitoring leads in Toronto, Kingston, Niagara, Zhiibaahaasing First Nation and Vancouver to gather information about first-hand experiences, challenges and perspectives.

Because everyone has a right to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.