Parks Canada and Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea announce new partnership
News Release
Innovative programs to showcase the natural and cultural features of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
July 18, 2016 Sidney, British Columbia Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada and the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea are celebrating a new partnership that brings the animals, plants and ecosystems found in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve to youth and families visiting the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney, British Columbia.
The new and innovative programming, delivered by Parks Canada at the Shaw Centre, will allow more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience the great outdoors and learn about the environment, culture and history in the Salish Sea region.
Four new interactive family programs kick off the summer. Visitors will be introduced to local endangered species like the (not-so) Common Nighthawk and the Contorted Pod Evening Primrose, learn what a clam garden is and how local Indigenous Peoples have managed clams and seafood for thousands of years in the Gulf Islands, and discover why healthy sand dunes are so important to the local ecosystem. These new programs complement other programming offered by the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea.
Quotes
“Parks Canada is very pleased to be part of the new partnership with the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. I encourage all Canadians to take this opportunity to discover and explore the rich environment, culture and history of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Salish Sea region through new, innovative programming at the Shaw Centre.”
Marcia Morash,
Superintendent, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Parks Canada
"We couldn't be happier to have Parks Canada – Gulf Islands National Park Reserve join us as an official partner in 2016 delivering fun and knowledgeable information about the islands and waters in the Salish Sea. This partnership will allow upwards of 25,000 summer visitors to Sidney and Coast Salish Traditional Territory, the opportunity to learn about the world-class Salish Sea Bioregion with the hope that it encourages exploration and appreciation for this amazing but delicate ecosystem. Having two Parks Canada interpreters at the Centre elevates the visitor's experience and gives them a true meaning of the PLACE they are visiting. Thank you to Parks Canada for sharing your expertise with the Centre and the community!"
Mark Loria,
Executive Director, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Quick Facts
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is 36 square kilometres of land on 15 islands and numerous small islets in southern British Columbia.
- Working alongside Coast Salish First Nations, whose enduring connection to the area dates back more than 10,000 years, Parks Canada protects, preserves and presents this incredible national park reserve which is home to some of Canada’s most diverse and endangered ecosystems.
- The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is a not-for-profit, community-based science and culture centre with a vision for a healthy and sustainable Salish Sea Bioregion, and a mission to create experiences that engage people to learn about, explore and conserve the Salish Sea – its wildlife, waters, land, culture and people.
- The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is located at 9811 Seaport Place in Sidney, B.C., and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Parks Canada programs run Thursday to Monday until August 26, 2016.
Associated Links
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Contacts
Kiri Westnedge
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Coastal British Columbia Field Unit, Parks Canada
250-654-4086
Kiri.westnedge@pc.gc.ca
Leah Thorpe
Deputy Director, Operations
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
250-665-7511
ops@oceandiscovery.ca
Parks Canada interpreters are delivering fun, new programs at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea this summer.
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