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Field Course Opportunity: Introduction to Field Soil Classification and Assessment

BCIT is offering a field-based course that introduces the basics in soil classification and field descriptions and assessments using the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) and other common techniques used in natural resource management, including forestry, arboriculture, natural areas management and ecological restoration. Students will gain hands-on experience digging soil pits, interpreting soil horizons, hand texturing, differentiating soil humous forms and analyzing the implications of their findings for various resource management applications. This 12-hour course includes 10 hours of field training with hands-on exercises at two different field sites in the Lower Mainland. The course begins with 2 hours of introduction online prior to the field days. Students are required to arrange their own transportation to the field sites. This course is applicable for anyone working or studying in natural sciences, ecological restoration, forestry, resource management, arboriculture, planners, stewardship outreach and education.

Thu May 27 – Sun May 30

Cost: $285.00

See the BCIT webpage for more information.

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New Course Offering! APBI 462: Conservation Agriculture and Biodiversity Monitoring

Widespread biodiversity loss is occurring rapidly worldwide, often driven by agricultural activities. At the same time, the biodiversity present in agricultural systems contributes to the critical processes that underlie food production and a variety of ecosystem services that benefit people. Students in the course will participate in ongoing biodiversity monitoring in agro-ecosystems using real-world survey techniques and assessment protocols, evaluate how different management actions and decisions on diversified farms and landscapes influence biodiversity, and discuss how biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services and food production.

This is an intensive summer field course, consisting of a combination of lectures, interactive class discussions, seminars from experts in the field, field based lab activities, data analysis lab activities, and tutorials, primarily based at UBC Farm. The class meets every weekday while the course is scheduled, with lectures and expert seminars occurring daily, followed by a one-hour break, and then concluding with a three hour lab time, in the field at UBC Farm, in the Farm Yurt, or in the Farm Marquee Space. Lab activities will be primarily group based, with individual components, led by the course instructor and TA. There is one nighttime lab activity (frog call survey).

Course dates: May 10-May 20 (9-days). Summer Term 1.

See the course overview for more details.

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Volunteer Opportunity: Lettuce Harvest

“What Would It Look Like If Individuals Tended Plots Collectively, Then Distributed The Bounty?”

Lettuce Harvest is a non-profit organization working to turn yards in Vancouver into food gardens. Their small team of talented and passionate young people have a range of skills and experience. The Lettuce Harvest team was brought together by a passion for climate, environmental action and a collective love of food.

Volunteer with Lettuce Harvest as a Neighbourhood Manager, a Work Party Lead or a General Volunteer.

Find out more about Lettuce Harvest on their website.

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UBC Life Blog: The 5 emotional stages of switching majors

“It takes a lot of courage to reroute your path. Things that used to be certain are no longer grounded in certainty…and the future originally imagined is erased and rewritten.” – Meg Kuang

In this short read, Meg breaks down why she decided to switch majors and provides helpful insight on ensuring you’re in the degree and major that is right for you.  Check it out!

https://students.ubc.ca/ubclife/5-emotional-stages-switching-majors

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Wild Animal Welfare Conference

The WAWC is delighted that its first virtual conference includes presentations from some of the leading names in animal welfare around the world. We are most grateful to all the speakers for embracing the challenge of answering our three questions about wild animal welfare (Does it matter? Can it be assessed? How can it be optimized?), in addition to agreeing to speak at times of day which are not necessarily conducive to their own welfare. We extend our thanks to them all.

Monday 19 April 2021 from 12:45AM to 9:00AM hrs PST (08:45 to 17:00 hrs BST)

The event will include sessions on:

  • Safeguarding wild animal welfare using the Five Domains approach
  • The contextual nature of how we value wild animals
  • Evaluation of wild animal welfare
  • Interactions between animal welfare, species conservation and management, and human issues

To view the programme and register, visit their website.

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