Research
Long-term environmental monitoring programs will be established on both the terrestrial and marine components of the purchased lands, adopting scientific methodologies that provide scientifically defensible research data.
Research will be undertaken using a ‘citizen science’ approach using discipline specific, professional leadership working together with community volunteers in apprenticeship.
Research will include:
- a. enhancing the global information systems (GIS) mapping of said lands and the application of enduring features (DIEM project 2013/2014);
- b. annual (fall & spring) salmon enhancement conducted in the James Creek watershed with the participation of local children (Cortes Island Elementary Junior Secondary School and network of homeschoolers), Klahoose First Nation, DFO Community Advisor and Quinsam Hatchery (Campbell River, BC);
- c. conducting annual inventories of species and plant communities with an emphasis on species and plant communities at-risk to update the MOE CDC data base for Cortes Island;
- d. monitoring sensitive ecosystems for climate change, species loss and compositional change;
- e. documenting wildlife use, especially large predators, of said lands to provide insight into greater landscape level use by wildlife; liaise and work with MOE Conservation Officer Service (COS).
