An exciting opportunity of experiential learning is being offered at the Skeena River estuary for UNBC students this summer.
About 20 students are enrolled in the summer 2017 Systematic Botany Field Camp where they will learn skills in plant identification and understand the ecological processes that shape major habitat types in northwest British Columbia.
The course offers students participation in all stages of the scientific process including hypothesis generation, data collection, synthesis of information along with written and oral presentations.
"They'll experience hands-on learning opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have," said Darwyn Coxson, the UNBC ecosystem science and management professor who teaches the field camp course.
"The contribution from(Pacific North West) LNG will allow UNBC to offer an important experiential learning opportunity to our students, learning first-hand about the diversity and importance of plant communities in the Skeena River Estuary," Coxson said.
The Innovation Fund in Experimental Learning is an area of focus included in the Northern Leadership Campaign.
The campaign is a $15 million fundraising effort that will ultimately help strengthen and inspire leadership and provide new opportunities for experiential learning.
Through the support of donors, UNBC is inspiring next-generation leaders by providing opportunities to learn by doing, outside of a traditional classroom setting according to UNBC spokesperson, Peter James.
Part of this year's funding came from such companies as Pacific North West LNG.
"Pacific North West LNG is pleased to support the important research being undertaken by the University of Northern British Columbia faculty and students in the Inverness Channel," said Brian Clark, environmental studies advisor for the company.
"Though hands-on learning and field studies that will further enhance the educational experience of each student, these studies will also provide more information about the soil, environmental conditions and the plant composition of Inverness Channel."
The Skeena River Estuary provides a vital connection between terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Skeena River Watershed.
The Skeena River is the second-longest river entirely within British Columbia after the Fraser River.
