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MountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion2015AnnualReport

TheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegioninspiresapositivefutureontheeastcoast

ofVancouverIslandinBritishColumbia,Canada,byfacilitatingcollaboration,

coordinatingparticipatoryresearch,andsupportingcommunityinitiativesthat

promoteenvironmental,social,cultural,andeconomicsustainability.

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TableofContents

Reflectingon2015......................................................................................................................................4MABRDirector:Dr.DavidWitty....................................................................................................................4MABRCoordinator:MonicaShore................................................................................................................4

FirstMeetingoftheMABRRoundtable............................................................................................5MABRintheCommunity.......................................................................................................................5RegionalEngagement.......................................................................................................................................5EducationalEvents..............................................................................................................................................................5RegionalFairsandCelebrations....................................................................................................................................6RegionalDevelopmentInitiatives.................................................................................................................................6WorkingwithFirstNations.............................................................................................................................................7

InvitationforRegionalContributionstotheMABRAnnualReport..................................................7NationalEngagement........................................................................................................................................9AmazingPlacesNationalCommittee...........................................................................................................................9CoordinatingFeedbackontheLimaActionPlan...................................................................................................9CommunicationswithourFederalMemberofParliament...............................................................................9ContributingtoDr.MaureenReed’sBookonCanadianBiosphereReserves...........................................9

InternationalEngagement..............................................................................................................................9SupportfortheDevelopmentofaBiosphereReserveinBelize......................................................................9EuroMAB2015inEstonia.............................................................................................................................................10EuroMABScienceSub-Committee.............................................................................................................................10ParticipationinanInternationalSocialMediaCampaign...............................................................................10

RaisingAwarenessoftheMABRwithinandbeyondourBorders.......................................11MABRRI....................................................................................................................................................11AboutMABRRI...................................................................................................................................................11StrategicPlan.....................................................................................................................................................11ProjectsatMABRRIin2015..........................................................................................................................121.MountArrowsmithWeatherStation&SnowPillow....................................................................................122.StateofEnvironmentReporting............................................................................................................................123.MABRAtlas.....................................................................................................................................................................124.AdventureBlog..............................................................................................................................................................135.HistoricalMappingintheMABR...........................................................................................................................136.DigitalStoriesoftheMABR:DiversePerspectives........................................................................................137.WatershedManagementinBrazil&theMABR..............................................................................................148.PollinatorHotels...........................................................................................................................................................149.AgriculturalPrioritiesonVancouverIsland.....................................................................................................1410.InterpretiveSignageandSenseofPlace..........................................................................................................1411.PacificWay...................................................................................................................................................................1412.CollaborativeEnvironmentalMonitoring.......................................................................................................1513.BlueCarbon..................................................................................................................................................................15

VisitingScholarsProgram.............................................................................................................................15Dr.MariaInesPaesFerreira,Brazil..........................................................................................................................15NatashaDonevska,PhDCandidate,Germany......................................................................................................16

AcknowledgingallCollaborators....................................................................................................16UndergraduateStudents................................................................................................................................................16

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GraduateStudents............................................................................................................................................................16MABR2015ExecutiveTeam.............................................................................................................17TheMABR’sContributiontotheLimaActionPlan2016-2025.............................................18

StrategicActionAreas.....................................................................................................................................................18ActionsImplementedbytheMABRin2015,whereithasbeenindicatedthatbiospherereservesholdsharedresponsibility............................................................................................................................................18

LookingAheadto2016.......................................................................................................................19

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Reflectingon2015

MABRDirector:Dr.DavidWitty

ThepastyearhasbeenanimportantfurthertransformationfortheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion(MABR)asitcontinuestostrengthenworkingrelationshipswithRoundtablemembers.ThroughcommoneffortandcollaborationwithintheRoundtableformat,wehavebeenallowedtolisten,discuss,andconsiderininteractive,respectfulways.

Aswell,thecreationofMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegionResearchInstitute(MABRRI),thatishousedatVancouverIslandUniversity(VIU),hasenabledmanystudentsandfacultytoworkwithlocalcommunitiesandFirstNationstoexplorebiophysics,cultural,andassociatedenvironmentalconsiderations.RecentsuccessfulfundingapplicationswillpermitfurtherandmorevariedresearchwithintheMABR.Muchhastranspiredinthepasttwoyears.Recenthistory

suggeststhatmuchmorewillbeaccomplishedinfuture.

VIUisproudtobepartofacommunitythatcares;caresforitsrelationshipwiththeFirstNationswithinwhoseterritorytheMABRissituated;caresfortheUNESCOdesignationthatpromotesenvironmentalsustainability;andcaresforthegeneralwell-beingoftheregion.

David Witty PhD,MRAIC,FCIP,RPPProvostandVice-PresidentAcademic,VancouverIslandUniversity

MABRCoordinator:MonicaShore

Overthepastyear,theMABRhasfacilitatedregionaldialogue,participatedincommunityevents,offeredcoursesandlecturestoraiseawarenessofandappreciationfortheregion,coordinatedresearchprojectsthroughVIU’sMABRResearchInstitute,andsupportedotherorganizationswhoseworkisfundamentaltothehealthandhappinessofpeopleandnaturehereonthemid-eastcoastofVancouverIsland.

TheMABRhasalsospenttimebuildingandstrengtheningrelationshipsandpartnershipswithinandbeyondthebiosphereregion’sborders.Byconnectingwithournationalandinternationalbiospherereservenetworks,wehaveembracedopportunitiesforpeermentorshipandlearninganddiscoveredthe

sharedrealitiesthatbiospherereservesexperienceacrossallcontinents.

Ilookforwardtocontinuingtheworkthathasbegun,andtoconnecting,growing,sharing,andlearningfromeachofyouwhoinspiresapositivefutureintheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion.

Monica Shore

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FirstMeetingoftheMABRRoundtable

In2015,theMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion(MABR)facilitateditsfirstRoundtablegathering,attendedbynineteenpeople,includingrepresentativesfromSnaw-Naw-As(Nanoose)FirstNation,QualicumFirstNation,theCityofParksville,theTownofQualicumBeach,theRegionalDistrictofNanaimo’sDrinkingWaterandWatershedProtectionProgram,theVancouverIslandConservationLandManagementProgram,IslandTimberlands,TimberWest,ParksvilleandDistrictChamberofCommerce,andVancouverIslandUniversity.TheMABRRoundtablemeetsquarterlyandfunctionsasthegoverningbodyoftheMABR,providingdirectiontoMABRstaffonpriorityactionsareasandresearchtobepursuedintheshort,medium,andlong-term.Throughdiverserepresentation,theMABRRoundtableitselfsetsamodelforhowpeoplewithdifferentinterestsandmandatescanworktogetherinarespectful,collaborative,andeffectiveway.Membershavecollectivelydevelopedacultureofengagementthatensuresthateveryonefeelscomfortable,engaged,andeagertoreturn.

MABRintheCommunity

RegionalEngagement

In2015,theMABRcoordinated,participatedin,andfacilitatednumerousinitiativeswiththegoalofengagingandcollaboratingwithcommunitygroupsandresidentswithinourregion.Engagementtookmanyformsandinvolvedabroaddiversityofpeople.ExamplesofcollaborativeresearchcanbefoundinalatersectionaboutMABRRI,theMABR’sResearchInstitute.

EducationalEvents

• TheBiosphereinyourBackyard–anintroductoryandinteractivecommunitycourseabouttheMABR,hostedatMilnerGardens

• Balanceinthe“New”MountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion:CanHumansLiveinBalancewithNature?–anopenlecturefortheMidVancouverIslandHabitatEnhancementSociety(MVIHES)

• IntroductiontotheMABR–anopenlecturefortheQualicumBeachHistoricalandMuseumSociety

• BotanyandBiospheres–anopenlectureaboutplantlifeintheMABRfortheComoxValleyHorticulturalSociety

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• EducationalTouroftheMABR–a3-daytourdevelopedcollaborativelywithVIU’sWorldLeisureCentreofExcellence,introducingSustainableLeisureManagementgraduatestudentstothebiospherereserveconceptandtotheregionitself

• VIULunch&Learn–afreelectureforVIUfacultyandcommunitymemberstolearnaboutthe

MABRanditsassociatedresearchinstitute• SustainabilityEducation–afreeguestlecturefeaturingDr.DavidZandvlietfromSimonFraser

University’sInstituteforEnvironmentalLearning

RegionalFairsandCelebrations

• FlourishinginaGreenEconomy–theMABRhostedaninformationboothatatradeshoworganizedbyCommunitiestoProtectourCoast(CPOC)inQualicumBeach

• VancouverIslandUniversitySustainabilityFair–aninformationboothatVIU’sNanaimocampustopromotetheactivitiesofthebiospheretoyoungadultswithintheuniversity’sstudentbody

• QualicumBeachFamilyDay–aninteractiveboothoutdoorswithgamesforkidsandadults

• QualicumBeachVolunteerAppreciationDay–attendedthiseventinsupportofthemanyvolunteerswhosetanexampleofengagedcitizenshipwithintheregion

RegionalDevelopmentInitiatives

• WaterDayOrganizingCommittee–supportedthedevelopmentoftheRegionalDistrictofNanaimo’sfirstWaterDayfestival,totakeplaceinthespringof2016

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• BrantWildlifeFestivalVisioningForum–facilitatedaregionalforumabouthowtore-envisionandfurtherdevelop/focusthe25-yearoldBrantWildlifeFestivalthatiscurrentlycoordinatedbytheNatureTrustofBC

• BrantWildlifeFestivalSteeringCommittee–partofaregionalsteeringcommitteededicatedto

raisingawarenessandlocalownershipoftheBrantWildlifeFestival

WorkingwithFirstNations

• RegulargatheringswithSnaw-Naw-AsandQualicumFirstNations–tofurtherourunderstandingofrespectfulengagementandprotocolandtodevelopcollaborativeprojects

• MeetingwithSnaw-Naw-AsElders–totalkaboutwhataUNESCObiospherereserveisandisn’t• ConversationsaroundReconciliation–tookacourseco-taughtbySnuneymuxwEldersandVIU’s

DirectorofAboriginalEducationtolearnaboutpersonalandcollectivemeaningsofreconciliation

InvitationforRegionalContributionstotheMABRAnnualReport

TheMABRishometomanyorganizationsandinstitutionswhoseworkcontributessignificantlytoUNESCO’sManandtheBiospheremandate.Throughanonlinesurveysharedviaemail,theMABR’se-newsletter,andsocialmediachannels,theMABRinvitedcommunityorganizations,businessesandinstitutionstosharesomeofthewaysinwhichtheysustaintheenvironmental,social,cultural,andeconomichealthoftheregion,thusexemplifyingwhatitmeanstobeabiospherereserve.Thefabricofcommunityandenvironmentalhealthiswoventhroughtheeffortsofmanypeopleandgroups,andoneoftheMABR’sjobsistocelebrateandpromotetheimportantworkdonebyall.Herearetheresponseswereceived:BCNature(ImportantBirdAreasProgram)

• TheImportantBirdAreas(IBA)ProgramisastewardshipprojectofBCNature,whoseCaretakerNetworkmatchesvolunteerswithIBAs.TheLittleQualicumEstuary-NanooseBayIBAiswithintheMABR.TheCaretakermonitorsthestatusofbirds,worksonconservationissues,raisesawarenessandhelpsprotecthabitatwithintheIBA.

IslandTimberlands

• Longtermmanagementoftheforestecosysteminthebiosphere.Plantedapproximately900,000trees,ofsixdifferentspecies,inthebiospherein2015.

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• WorkedcollaborativelywithotherlandownersandsupportedtheRegionalDistrictofNanaimoonyoutheducationprogramsaswellasourownyoutheducationtours.

• Supportedwaterqualitymonitoringandthesnowpillowprojectforongoingclimateandenvironmentalunderstanding.

NorthIslandWildlifeRecoveryAssociation(NIWRA)• NIWRAestablishedawildlifegardenin2015withplantingsofIndigenousfloraandadragonfly

pond.Thisgardenistobeusedforteachingpurposesandwehavehadalotofinterestfromvariouseducationalfacilities,includingourelementaryschoolsinthelocalarea.Wehavethuslybeguntosetupaneducationalprograminconjunctionwiththelocalschoolboardsforlocalchildrenforthe2015/16schoolyear.

QualicumBeachMuseum

• ThehistoricalsocietybehindthemuseumholdsayearlyspeakersseriesandweinvitedtheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegionResearchInstitute(MABRRI)tomakeapresentationtoourgroup.Itwasamostinformativesessionandapartnershiphasensuedwithmorecollaborationinthefuture.WenowhaveastudentworkingatthemuseumthankstofundingfromMABRRI.

ParksvilleQualicumBeachTourismAssociation

• DevelopmentoftheParksvilleQualicumBeachHistoricTourthathighlights10historicsitesthroughvideos,maps,brochures,webcontent,andinterpretivepanels.

RegionalDistrictofNanaimo’s(RDN)DrinkingWaterandWatershedProtectionProgram:• ThroughourCommunityWatershedMonitoringNetwork,wesupportlocalstewardshipgroups

collectwaterqualityandphysicalhabitatdataonlocalwaterways,tobeincludedintheProvincialdatabasetoassistwithprotectionandrestorationefforts.

• WeareworkingtoeducateschoolchildrenonwheretheirdrinkingwatercomesfrombytakingthemonfieldtripsintheEnglishmanRiverwatershed.

• Weareusinglocalgroundwaterdatatoassistwithlanduseplanningdecisionsregardingwateravailabilityandquality.

TimberWest

• Wehavesupportedamulti-yearstreamenhancementprogramonCentreCreekbypartneringwiththeMid-VancouverIslandHabitatEnhancementgroupanddonationsthroughthePacificSalmonFoundation.

• WehavealsoorganizedwatershedfieldtourswithUBCgraduatesandelementaryschoolsstudentsingrades4and5.

VancouverIslandConservationLandManagementProgram• Wehavebeenworkingwithmultiplepartnerstodevelopamonitoringandrestorationprogram

forourestuarieswithafocusonecosystemresilience.

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NationalEngagement

AmazingPlacesNationalCommittee

TheMABRbeganassistingmembersoftheCanadianBiosphereReserveAssociationonthedevelopmentofguidelinesforanationalprojectthatwouldconnectCanada’ssixteenbiospherereservesthroughacommon‘AmazingPlaces’brand.“AmazingPlacesisbasedonamappingprojectlaunchedbytheFundyBiosphereReserveinNewBrunswick.Itbeganwiththedesiretoguidevisitorsbeyondthenationalparkboundaries,andespeciallypromotehikingintheregion’svastbutunknowntrailnetworks...AmazingPlacestellastoryaboutphysical,biologicalorhistoricalfeaturesinpubliclyaccessiblelocations.Followingthe‘donoharm’model,AmazingPlacesarechoseninlocationsthatcanhandleincreasedvisitationwithoutcompromisingwhatmakestheplaceAmazing.”1

CoordinatingFeedbackontheLimaActionPlan

Inthefallof2015,allbiospherereserveswithintheworldnetworkweregivenanopportunitytocommentonthedraftoftheLimaActionPlan2016-2025(LAP).InMarchof2016,atthe4thWorldCongressofBiosphereReserves,theLAPwillbeadoptedandreplacetheMadridActionPlan,whichhasgavestrategicdirectiontoUNESCObiospherereservesoverafive-yearperiodfrom2008to2013.TheMABRcoordinatedcommentsontheLimaActionPlanfromindividualsaffiliatedwithCanadianBiosphereReserveAssociationandCanada’sManandtheBiosphereCommittee.Commentswereincorporatedintothefinaldraftofthedocument.

CommunicationswithourFederalMemberofParliament

FollowingCanada’sOctober2015federalelections,NDPMPMr.GordJohnswaselectedtorepresenttheridingthatencompassestheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion.Mr.JohnsalsorepresentstheClayoquotSoundBiosphereReserve,onwhoseboardofdirectorshehaspreviouslysat.InNovemberof2015,theMABRcommunicatedwithMr.JohnsinacoordinatedeffortbyallCanadianbiospherereservestoincreaseawarenessaboutthevaluethatthenetworkcanbringinaddressingclimatechangeandsustainabilityissues.

ContributingtoDr.MaureenReed’sBookonCanadianBiosphereReserves

Dr.MaureenReed,professorattheUniversityofSaskatchewan,iswritingabookaboutCanadianbiospherereserves,tobepublishedin2016.TheMABRcollaboratedwithDr.ReedonasectionabouttheMABR’sroleincontributingtopeace-buildingwithintheregion.

InternationalEngagement

SupportfortheDevelopmentofaBiosphereReserveinBelize

TheMABRisworkingwithDr.RoyYounginsupportofanewbiospherereserveinBelize.ThebiospherereservewouldservetosupportandhighlightexistingregionalcollaborationtopreserveapopulationofhowlermonkeysthatisuniquetoBelizeandthatreliesonaveryspecificecosystemforsurvival.

1http://www.visitamazingplaces.ca/about

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EuroMAB2015inEstonia

InMay2015,MonicaShoreandDr.PamShawheadedtoHaapsaluEstoniafortheEuroMAB2015conference.EuroMABisanetworkofnearly300EuropeanandNorthAmericanbiospherereservesthatarepartofUNESCO’sManandBiosphereProgramme.TheEuroMABnetworkgatherseverytwoyearsforaconferenceindifferentbiosphereregions.

RepresentativesfromUNESCO’sManandBiosphereProgrammeSecretariat,directorsofnationalbiospherereserveassociationsandindividualbiospherereservemanagers,coordinatorsandresearchersattendedEuroMAB2015.Forfourdays,plenarysessions,workshops,regionalexcursionsandnetworkingtookplace.Bytheendoftheweek,wewerebroughtuptospeedonrecentinitiativeswithinthenetwork,hadvisitedtheWestEstonianArchipelagoBiosphereReserve,andconnectedmeaningfullywithourpeers,buildingthesocialcapitalthatisnecessaryforthesuccessfulexistenceofanysizeablenetwork.

TheMABRledacollaborativeworkshoponCulturalHeritageandIndigenousKnowledgewithinBiosphereReserveswithTammyDorwardandCathyThickefromClayoquotBiosphereTrust,andwithHelgiPollofromtheWestEstonianArchipelagoBiosphereReserve.

EuroMABScienceSub-Committee

SincetheEuroMAB2015conferenceinEstonia,theMABRhasbeenanactivememberofoneofUNESCO’sEuropeanandNorthAmericansub-committeesdedicatedtogatheringscientificresearchaboutbiospherereserves.Thesub-committee’sgoalistosharethisinformationwithintheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReservesandwiththegreaterpublic.MABRRIhasdedicatedover500hourstothedevelopmentofabibliographyofbiospherereserveresearchthatwillbepostedonlinein2016.

ParticipationinanInternationalSocialMediaCampaign

Keepingup-to-dateontheactivitiesof650peerorganizationswithintheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReservescanbeachallenge.Inlate2015,aninternationalsocialmediacampaignentitled#ProudToSharewaslaunchedtoenablemembersoftheworldnetworktosharephotos,videos,news,andinterestinginitiativeswithoneanother.BiospherereservesworldwideareaskedtocontributeonepostaweektoaprivateFacebookgroupusingthehashtag#ProudToShare.TheMABRhasbeenanactiveparticipant.

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RaisingAwarenessoftheMABRwithinandbeyondourBorders

UNESCObiospherereserveswereconceivedasmodelregionsthatexemplifyhowcollaborationamongsthumanbeingscancreateamoresustainableexistenceforpeople,animalandplantspecies,andtheenvironmentsthatweshareandinhabit.TheUNESCOdesignationhonoursallpeopleandorganizationswhosecollectiveeffortshaveearnedthisregionitsinternationalstatus.TheMABRseekstocommunicateandcelebratethismessagethroughvariousmedia:

• MABRe-Newsletter,publishedonlineeverytwomonths• Website:MABR.CA• SocialMedia:Facebook,Twitter,andInstagram• Flyersandeventposters• Videos(producedbymedia,VIU,andpartners)• Communityevents• Printmedia:CoverarticleoftheVIUMagazine,articlesinlocalpapers

MABRRI

AboutMABRRI

TheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegionResearchInstitute(MABRRI)istheenginebehindtheMABR’sresearchandeducationalprograms.MABRRI’smissionistoadvanceaprogramofinquirythatinvolvesregionalstakeholdersinmeaningfulexplorationsofissuesoflocalrelevance.ByharnessingtheknowledgeoftheMABRcommunityandtheinterdisciplinarystrengthsofstudentsandfacultyatVancouverIslandUniversity,MABRRIisacentreforcollaborativeresearch,innovation,andknowledgesharingthatelevatestherelationshipbetweenpeopleandnatureinthebiosphereregion. MABRRIcontributestothesuccessoftheMABRthroughresearchandeducation,whichisoneofthethreemainfunctionsofallUNESCObiospherereserves.MABRRIenvisions,fundsandcoordinatesresearchprojectsandeducationalprogramsorinitiativesthatadvance“environmental,economicandsocial(includingculturalandspiritual)sustainability”2

StrategicPlan

MABRRI’sStrategicPlanforResearchandEducationaimstoprovidethefoundationfortheresearchinstitutetobecomearegionalandinternationalleaderincommunity-based,student-ledenvironmental,social,andeconomicsustainabilityresearch.TheplanoutlinesthenextstepsforMABRRI,includingobjectivesforconductingresearchintheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion,researchthemesandpriorityareasforresearchfocusoverthenextthreeyears,andourvisionforcollaboratingwithstakeholdersintheregion.Alinktothestrategicplanisavailableatmabrri.viu.caonthe‘resources’page.2UNESCOMAB(UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization,ManandBiosphereProgramme).2008.MadridActionPlan.Paris:UNESCOMABSecretariat.www.unesco.org/mab/madrid/doc/MadridDeclaration.pdf(accessedAugust28,2014).

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MABBRIisanacademicentityatVancouverIslandUniversity(VIU)thatsupportsandconductsnaturalandsocialscienceresearchintheMABRandsurroundingareas.MABRRIwasestablishedatVIUin2014whentheMABRtransitionedfromacharitablenot-for-profitmodeltoaregionalroundtablepartnershipmodelspearheadedbyVIUandtheCityofParksville.Theresearchinstituteconducts,supports,andfacilitatesresearchthatmeetstheenvironmental,social,cultural,andeconomicsustainabilitygoalsoftheMABRandupholdsthemandateoftheUnitedNationsEducational,Scientific,andCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)ManandtheBiosphereProgramme.

ProjectsatMABRRIin2015

1.MountArrowsmithWeatherStation&SnowPillow

In2015,theMABRcontributedtothepurchaseofaweatherstationandsnowpillowthatwereinstalledonMountArrowsmith.Theseinstrumentshelptogatherclimate-relateddata(precipitation,temperatureandsnowpack)intheupperEnglishmanandLittleQualicumwatersheds.Asaresult,theregionwillgainabetterunderstandingoftheimpactsonclimatechange,beabletoforecastwatersupplyandpotentialflooding,andmonitorfireweatherwithgreateraccuracy.ThisprojectisacollaborationbetweentheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion,theBCMinistryofEnvironment,MinistryofForests,LandsandNaturalResourceOperations,theRegionalDistrictofNanaimo’s(RDN)DrinkingWaterandWatershedProtectionProgram,IslandTimberlands,TimberWest,andtheArrowsmithWaterService,whichincludestheRDN,theCityofParksvilleandtheTownofQualicumBeach.

2.StateofEnvironmentReporting

AStateofEnvironmentReport(SOER)islikeareportcardofenvironmentalhealth.In2015,studentresearchersatMABRRIexploredbestpracticesforStateofEnvironmentReportingwiththegoalofidentifyingasuitablemodelformonitoringenvironmentalindicatorswithintheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion.Indicatorscanincludeanythingfromwaterqualitytowasteproduction--thingsthatarebasedonexternalpressurescausedbyhumanactivity.AnSOERwouldenableustosetsustainabilitytargetsfortheregion,workingwithpartnersandcommunitymemberstodeveloppossiblesolutions.

3.MABRAtlas

MABRRIisdevelopingaMABRAtlasmodelledaftergrandatlasessuchastheCanadianGeographicAtlasofCanadaandtheCoastSalishAtlas.TheMABRatlaswillbebothahistoricalandmoderndayatlasthatshowcaseschangesovertimeandstoriesfromtraditionalandlocalknowledge.

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4.AdventureBlog

ThefirstsummerresearchteamofstudentsatMABRRIinitiatedanadventureblogontheMABRwebsite,showcasingtheworkthattheydidandalloftheincredibleplacesthattheyexploredintheregion.Witheveryposting,theyincludedaphotographicslideshowwithafirstpersonnarrativedescribingtheiradventuresthatdayandanyinterestingexperiencestheyhadoutinnature.Alsoincludedwerehandytipsoneachofthelocationsforthosewhowishedtogotherethemselves.

5.HistoricalMappingintheMABR

OneofMABRRI’sstudentshasbeenworkingwiththeQualicumBeachHistorical&MuseumSocietytodigitizehistoricalphotosandstoriesthatwilleventuallybeusedtocreateanonlinehistoricalmappingsystem.OncecompletedallresidentsoftheMABRwillbeabletoaccessthemapanddataonline.ThisprojectwilleventuallybeappliedtotheMABRAtlasin2016.

6.DigitalStoriesoftheMABR:DiversePerspectives

Thisprojectfeaturedacreativecompilationofstoriesthattellusaboutpeople’sdiverseconnectionstothelandscapewithintheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion.TheinitiativewaspioneeredbyatalentedgroupofstudentsatVancouverIslandUniversity(VanessaMarquez,HansLiu,JenniferPerry,DominiqueKlees-ThemenandDougWortley)withinaninterdisciplinarycoursetaughtbySociologyprofessorDr.SylvieLafrenière.TheMountArrowsmithBiosphereReserveResearchInstitute(MABRRI)providedfundingforstudentinvolvementandassistedwithprojectcoordination.ThevideocanbeviewedonYouTube.

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7.WatershedManagementinBrazil&theMABR

Dr.PamShawandVisitingScholarDr.MariaInesPaesFerreiraworkedwithMABRRIresearchersonthecompletiontwoacademicarticlesbasedonDr.PaesFerreira’spost-doctoralresearchoncollaborativegovernancemodelsforwatershedandenvironmentalmanagement.ComparisonsweredrawnbetweentheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegionandtheStateofRiodeJaneiroinBrazil.

8.PollinatorHotels

MABRRIstudentresearchersbuiltthreepollinatorhotelsinthesummerof2015asapilotinitiative.Pollinatorhotelsarestructuresbuilttoencouragethenestingofnativepollinatingspecies.Researchwasconductedonhowtobestconstructthepollinatorhotelsandcontinuesonhowtosetupamonitoringprogramtotracktheirimpactsonlocalpollinatorpopulations.MABRRIwillbeapplyingforadditionalfundingtoestablishthemonitoringprogramin2016,withthegoalofeventuallybuildinguptoaregionalpollinatorconservationprogram.

9.AgriculturalPrioritiesonVancouverIsland

TheMABRRIsummerteamcompiledprioritiesfromexistingAreaAgricultureplans,OfficialCommunityPlans,andotherrelevantplanningdocumentstodeterminesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenagriculturalprioritiesonVancouverIsland.Initialresearchwasalsoconductedoncooperativeagriculturalinitiativesandstructures.ThisresearchwilleventuallybeusedbytheMABRroundtabletoestablishfoodsecurityandagriculturegoalswithintheregion.

10.InterpretiveSignageandSenseofPlace

MABRRIstudentHaleyRobinsonbeganherindependentresearchprojectforGeographyin2015,whichincludesconductingareviewofinterpretivesignageatseverallocationsintheMABRandresearchingthebestpracticesforsignagethatinspiressenseofplace.Shewillbepresentingherfindingsin2016attheWesternDivisionoftheCanadianAssociationofGeographersConferencein2016,aswellascreatingasummaryreportofsuggestedimprovementsforinterpretivesignageintheMABR.

11.PacificWay

MABRRIbeganareviewofexistingliteratureonwaysofconductingbusinessandmeetingsthatdifferfromthestandardRobert’sRulesofOrder.ThePacificWayprojectaimstodevelopprotocolformeetings

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heldintheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegionthatinspirescollaborationandthatensuresallvoicesareheard.Thisprojectiscontinuingintothe2016researchprogram.

12.CollaborativeEnvironmentalMonitoring

TheMABRRIteamsetupatrialmappingapplicationonipadsusingEsri’sArcCollectorprogram.Thisispartofaprojecttocreateacollaborativemonitoringprogramfortheregioninwhichallcitizenscanreportonenvironmentalissuesandobservationsinthefield.TheteamhasappliedforfundingfromNAPECAtotaketheprojecttothenextlevelin2016,whichwillbetocreateandtrialanindependentuserfriendlyappthatiscompatiblewithallmobiledevices.

13.BlueCarbon

Researchwasinitiatedonthecarbonsequestrationabilitiesofeelgrassinestuarineenvironmentsandhowthesecouldbeeconomicallyleveragedtoencouragepropermonitoringandprotectionoftheseenvironments.Thisprojectwillbeexpandingtoincludeareviewofamultitudeofsecondaryecosystemservicesin2016.TheresultsofthisresearchprojectwillbeincorporatedintotheStateofEnvironmentReportingprocessthatiscreatedfortheMABR.

VisitingScholarsProgram

In2015,MABRRIinitiatedaVisitingScholarsProgramtoincreaseinternationalawarenessandcontributionstoknowledgeabouttheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion.MABRRI’sVisitingScholarsPolicyandapplicationformareavailableathttp://viu.mabrri.caonthe‘resources’page.

Dr.MariaInesPaesFerreira,Brazil

MABRRI’sfirstPost-DoctoralResearcher,Dr.MariaInêsPaesFerreira,CoordinatoroftheEnvironmentalEngineeringPost-graduationProgramofInstitutoFederaldeEducação,CiênciaeTecnologiaFluminens,aBrazilianFederalInstitutionofProfessionalEducation,ResearchandExtension.

Dr.PaesFerreiraspentthreemonthswithMABRRIinFall2015,focusingontwoprojects:(1)thelinksbetweenwatershedprotectionandpovertyreduction;and(2)paymentforecosystemservicesresearch.Dr.PaesFerreirawasanactivelectureracrosscampusandcontinuestoworkwithgraduatestudentsfromtheMasterofCommunityPlanningProgramontheirresearchprojects.ResultingfromthesuccessofthisVisitingScholarProgram,thetwouniversitiessignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingthatseeksoutareasofmutualinteresttothetwoinstitutionswheretheycanjointlycollaborateandpublishtogether.Todate,Dr.PaesFerreiraandDr.

Shaw,alongwithgraduatestudentscurrentlyworkingasResearchAssistantswithMABRRI,havesubmittedonepaperforpublicationonwatershedprotectioninitiativesinBrazilandCanadaandarecompletingasecondpaperthatexaminesthelinkbetweenpovertyreductionandwatershedprotectioninbothjurisdictions.Dr.PaesFerreiraandDr.ShawarealsopresentingtogetherataconferenceinRiodeJaneiroinJuly2016,andareimplementingothercollaborativeresearcheffortsthatwillengageotherresearchersatbothuniversities.

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NatashaDonevska,PhDCandidate,Germany

Inthefallof2015,MABRRIalsowelcomedMacedoniandoctoralcandidateNatashaDonevska,whoseresearchinvestigatesparticipatorygovernanceprocessesleadingtoeconomicdevelopmentthatissocio-culturallyappropriateandenvironmentallysustainable.Ms.Donevska’sresearchisisacomparativestudyoffourbiospherereserves.Ms.DonevskaispursuingherPhDatFreeUniversityBerlinandworksasaconsultantforsustainabledevelopment,particularlyinUNESCOprotectedareassuchasworldheritagesitesandbiospherereserves.Sheplanstopublishherresultsininternationalacademicjournals.

AcknowledgingallCollaborators

In2015,MABRwasfortunatetoreceivesupportfrommanyindividualsandorganizationsintheregion.Thissupportcameinmanyforms,fromnetworkingandideasharingtoprovidingfundingandstudentlearningopportunities.Wewouldliketotakethisopportunitytothanktheseindividualsandcommunitygroupsfortheirideas,inspiration,andmostimportantly–theirdedicationtohelpingtheMABRachieveitsfullpotentialasamodelforsustainabledevelopment.Withouttheirsupport,theMABRwouldnotbeabletoachieveasmuchasitdidin2015.AspecialthankyoutothefollowingstudentswhowereinvolvedinMABRRI’s2015projects:

UndergraduateStudents

MichaelAndersonRobbieBrittainDanielCockcroft

RyanFredericksonDominiqueKlees-ThemensHansLiu

VanessaMarquezJenniferPerryHaleyRobinson

GraduateStudents

TaylorAlexanderKatieBurridge

RushiGadoyaDougWortley

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MABR2015ExecutiveTeam

In2015,thefollowingpeoplewereinvolvedintheday-to-daymanagementandcoordinationoftheMABRanditsassociatedresearchinstituteatVancouverIslandUniversity.TheteamreceiveddirectionfromDr.DavidWitty,VancouverIslandUniversity’sProvostandVice-PresidentAcademic,aswellasguidancefromtheRoundtablethatwasinauguratedinNovemberof2015.

MonicaShore,MA–MABRCoordinator

MonicaistheCoordinatoroftheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegion.ShemanagestheMABR’sinternalandexternalcommunications,coordinatescommunity-basedevents,facilitatesmeetingsandcommunityforums,andrepresentstheMABRbothnationallyandinternationally.OriginallyfromMontreal,Monica’sbackgroundisinsustainability,culturaldevelopmentandtourism,theperformingarts,andcommunications.SheisfluentinEnglish,French,andSpanish.

PamelaShaw,PhDMCIPRPPFRCGS–MABRRIResearchDirector

PamistheDirectoroftheMasterofCommunityPlanningProgramatVancouverIslandUniversityandtheResearchDirectoroftheMountArrowsmithBiosphereRegionResearchInstitute.Pamhasmorethan30yearsofexperienceinlanduseplanningandfacilitation,andiscurrentlyresearchingnewformsofgovernanceforbiospheresandcommunityorganizations.Shebringsideas,connections,andexperiencetotheresearchteam.

GrahamSakaki,MACandidate–MABRRIResearchCoordinatorGrahamhasbeeninvolvedwithMABRRIsinceitwasestablishedin2014andoverseesthecoordinationofallongoingresearchprojects.HeiscurrentlypursuingtheMasterofCommunityPlanningatVIU.Graham’seducationbackgroundincludesadegreeinNaturalResourcesGeographyandadiplomainForestResourceTechnology.TheskillsheacquiredinthehospitalityindustryandinorganizationalmanagementhavetransferredseamlesslytoMABRRI.

SarahLumley,BA–MABRRIAssistantCoordinatorSarahmanagesMABRRI’sonlinecommunications,leadsnumerousprojectsincludingtheInstitute’sfirstcitizenscienceBioBlitz,andisthemaincontactforallofthestudentsinvolvedinresearchatMABRRI.SarahobtainedherdegreewithhonoursinUrbanGeographyfromVIUin2015.ShehasbeenworkingatMABRRIsincethesummerof2015andwillbegingraduatestudiesinthefallof2016.Sarah’spositiveoutlook,initiative,andleadershipskillsaddincrediblevaluetoMABRRI.

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TheMABR’sContributiontotheLimaActionPlan2016-2025

StrategicActionAreas ActionsImplementedbytheMABRin2015,whereithasbeenindicatedthatbiospherereservesholdsharedresponsibility

A.TheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReservesconsistingofeffectivelyfunctioningmodelsforsustainabledevelopment

• TheMABRhasestablishedallianceswithpartnerstoconservebiodiversitywithintheregion(e.g.nativeplantrestorationprojectdevelopmentwithSnaw-Naw-AsFirstNation)-A1.3

• TheMABRhelpedtofundandinstallaweatherstationonMt.Arrowsmiththatwillfunctionasanobservatoryforclimatechangeresearch,monitoring,mitigationandadaptation-A1.4

• TheMABRparticipatedinacommunityeventcalled‘FlourishinginaGreenEconomy’andwillcreateapageonthewebsitetopromotegreen/sustainable/socialeconomiesintheregion-A1.5

• Throughitsaffiliatedresearchinstitute,theMABRconductednumerousprojectsin2015dedicatedtoensuringthelong-termconservationofthesocio-ecologicalecosystems,inadditiontopromotingtheimportantworkdonebyotherNGO’s-A1.6

• TheMABRhasintegratedIndigenousprotocolandtraditionsintotheplanningofthebiospherereserveactivities-A2.2

• TheMABRhasaclearcommunicationsplanandallottedstafftimetoimplementitsactions-A2.4

• A4.1–TheMABRispartneredwithVancouverIslandUniversityandhashadanestablishedresearchinstitutededicatedtoinvestigatingquestionsaboutthebiospheresinceAugust2014

• TheMABR’sresearchinstituteishouseatauniversityandownshighqualityequipmentforconductingresearchinthebiosphere-A4.3

• Regionalstakeholdersareinvolvedinco-designingprojectsthatinformthesustainabledevelopmentofthebiosphere-A4.5

• TheMABRbegandevelopingabusinessplanin2015toassesshowbesttogeneraterevenueforthelong-termsustainabilityofthebiosphere-A5.1

• TheMABRadapteditsgovernancemodelandmanagementprocessfollowingits2010periodicreview-A6.2

• TheMABRhasidentifiedecosystemservicesandisinvolvedinfacilitatingtheirlong-termprovision,alongwithmanyotherregionalNGO’s-A7.1

• TheMABRisconductingresearchthatwillleadtoprogramimplementationforthepreservationandmaintenanceofbiodiversitythathavebotheconomicandculturalvalueandthatunderpintheprovisionofecosystemservices-A7.3

B.Inclusive,dynamicandresult-orientedcollaborationandnetworkingwithintheMABProgrammeandtheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReserves

• TheMABRisworkingonglobalbiospherereservecurriculaincollaborationwithCanada,Sweden,France,andAustralia-B1.1

• TheMABRhasdevelopedacommunitycourseforinterestedstakeholdersaboutthebasicsofbiospherereservesandoftheMABRitself-B1.2

• TheMABRhasbeenanactiveparticipantintheMountainsnetworkandhasencouragedtherejuvenationofthisthematicgroup-B2.

• TheMABRisamemberofEuroMAB’sScienceSub-Committee,whichseekstoengagewithabroadnumberofscientistsandIndigenousknowledgeholders-B7.1

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C.EffectiveexternalpartnershipsandsufficientandsustainablefundingfortheMABProgrammeandtheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReserves

• TheMABRhasbegunpromotingpartnershipstoraisefundsfromexternalentitieswithobjectivesthatarecompatiblewiththoseoftheMABProgramme-C3.2

• TheMABRhasbeensuccessfulinacquiringfundingfromregionalandnationalfundingagenciesforanumberofcurrentprojects–C5.1

• TheregionalChamberofCommercesitsatthegovernanceRoundtableandcanassisttheMABRincommunicatingthebenefitofthebiospherereservetoentrepreneursandsocialenterprises–C6.1

• TheMABRhasdiscussedthecreationofaspecialbiosphereawardforbusinesseswithstrongsustainabilityprinciples.ThisawardwouldbedevelopedinpartnershipwiththeChamberofCommerce–C6.2

D.Comprehensive,modern,open,andtransparentcommunication,informationanddatasharing

• TheMABRhaspostedallofficialdocuments/plans/strategies/reportsonitswebsiteforviewingbythegeneralpublic.TheMABRwasalsoinvolvedintheinstallationofahigh-alpineweatherstationonMt.Arrowsmith,whichwillgeneratepubliclyaccessibledataonceinstallationiscomplete–D1.1

• TheMABRisintheplanningstagestopublishtheInternationalJournalofBiosphereReserves,whichwillfacilitatedataandknowledgesharingacrosstheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReserves–D2.3

• TheMABR’swebsite,socialmediachannels,e-newsletter,andonlineaccessibilitytopublicationsensurebroadengagementandoutreach–D3.1

E.EffectivegovernanceofandwithintheMABProgrammeandtheWNBR

• TheMABRwillworkwiththeMountainsthematicnetworktodevelopnewobjectives,performanceassessmentmechanismsandatimeframeforestablishedgoals–E4.1

LookingAheadto2016

HavingcompletedourfirstfullyearofoperationsandresearchsincetheMABR’sgovernancetransition,weareextremelyoptimisticaboutthefuture.2015wasachallengingyetrewardingyear,withmany“firsts”andpilotinitiatives.Ittakestime,patience,andperseverancetobalanceallofthedemandsofUNESCO’sManandtheBiosphere(MAB)Programmemandate,butwiththesupportofourcommunity,wewillcontinuetolearn,grow,andimprovefromyeartoyear.Manypartnershipshavebeendeveloped,andweareexcitedformanymoretocome.Withagovernancemodelnowinplacetoplanandensurethelong-termsustainabilityandrelevanceofthebiospherereservedesignation,wecanbegintoundertakenewprojectsandinitiativesthatengageavastnumberofstakeholders.In2016,MABRRI,ourresearchinstitute,willdoublethesizeofits2015summerstudentresearchteam.RecentsuccessfulresearchfundingapplicationswillalsoallowMABRRItomakeagreaterimpactinanumberofprojectareas,assistedbynewlyestablishedResearchAdvisoryCommitteesinvolvinglocalknowledgeholders.Itiswithmuchenthusiasmthatwemoveinto2016,gratefultobepartofaworldnetworkwhere,fromregiontoregion,peoplearestrivingtolivebetterwithoneanotherandinharmonywithnature.