January 4, 2017 - 3:45pm
Like many good things, the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) started small and has got bigger as word about the organization’s work spread.
Two years ago, the Institute consisted of just three people: a research director, research coordinator and one work-op student. This past summer, the VIU-connected research group received enough funding to add another six full-time undergraduate students to the team. Established in 2014 to help fulfill the research, education and outreach mandate of the UNESCO-designated Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR), MABRRI has created extensive research opportunities for VIU students, engaged the public through educational events, and raised the profile of one of the most diverse and ecologically significant places on Vancouver Island. VIU Provost and Vice-President Academic Dr. David Witty, the current Director of the MABR, helped set up the supports for MABRRI to succeed including dedicating offices on the Nanaimo campus, facilitating partnerships in the region and championing the student research and public outreach work the group is involved with.
Research projects in 2016 included wetland mapping in the Regional District of Nanaimo, monitoring the water quality of fresh water lakes in the MABR and creating a mobile app that will allow users to contribute to a collaborative mapping database containing information and photos of the region’s flora and fauna.
So what does a student-focused, community-based participatory research organization do to celebrate this success? They throw a party of course! Researchers served up burgers, wild salmon, cake and lemonade at the “Biosphere BBQ,” held at Rathtrevor Beach.
Visit mabrri.viu.ca for more details.
*This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2016 issue of VIU Magazine. Check out more stories from the latest issue of VIU Magazine here.
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