Past Events

 
JULY 2007
July 12, marine biologist and educator Andy Lamb lead a shoreline biodiversity walk as part of the Chemainus Biodiversity Education Project.
 
JUNE 2007
Field activities of the Chemainus Biodiversity Education Project begin:

• June 6 Survivor Saltair, an outdoor environmental leadership activity for grades 4/5 in Saltair.
• June 10 a walk and talk with Dr. Brenda Beckwith on Garry Oak ecosystems and conservation planning in Echo Heights.
• June 15 an Echo Heights walk and public presentation by Dr. Nancy Turner on "Our food is our medicine."
• June 28 Ladysmith teachers team up with project experts to learn about local forest and marine biodiversity on their last Pro-D day of the year.

MAY 2007
Oliver Brandes gave an invited presentation “The Ecological Governance of Sustainable Water Management”  to the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers Network 2007 Annual Conference “Investing in People: Cultivating Leaders for Environmental Change” in Sidney, BC, May 28, 2007.
Water Issue Urgent, an article by Oliver Brandes and Tim Morris in the Toronto Star, May 19, 2007 that discusses how water security is the most pressing issue of the 21st century.
 
"Spring Tune-Up" -- a variety show and fund-raiser featuring local Chemainus talent held on May 25 at St Joseph's School Gym in Chemainus from 6:30-9:30. All proceeds to support the Chemainus Biodiversity Education Project. Have fun, get involved! See event poster
 
May 22 was International Biodiversity Day and launch date for the Chemainus Biodiversity Education Project, a collaboration between POLIS and community groups in the Chemainus region to foster an awareness of local biological diversity and develop educational materials for local schools and citizens. Read article in Chemainus Courier May 2007. The project is seeking volunteers to be involved in field activities to take place in Chemainus throughout the months of June, July, August, and September, and to assist in creating environmental education materials suitable for grades K-12 (to be completed by November). For more information or to inquire, please contact Kelly Bannister. Email Contact Form
 
APRIL 2007
"Water Efficiency: From Supply to Demand-side Management?" Presentation by Oliver Brandes on April 13, 2007 for Plenary Session I at Water Governance in Transition -- Utility Restructuring and Water Efficiency in Ontario.  Location: Peter Wall Institute, UBC.  More information
 
Alternatives Journal 31:1 (2007) features an article by James Biggar and Michael M'Gonigle called "Sustaining Change from the Middle Ground" that describes the new Common Energy initiative. The authors state: “the University of Victoria is a mid-sized university with a considerable ecological footprint.  It has has thousands of people with the energy and expertise to forge effective responses to the local manifestations of the climate crisis. To take advantage of all this mental and material power, a network of students, staff, faculty and regional partners created Common Energy. This organization's goal is to … move the university beyond “climate neutral” so it does more to solve the climate crisis than it does to cause it.” Read article
 
MARCH 2007
Kelly Bannister was invited to give a presentation "Climate Change, Community Action... and Echo Heights?" at the first Annual General Meeting of the Chemainus Residents Association. Read article published in the Ladysmith Chronicle on Mar 06, 2007.
 
2007 Georgia Basin Puget Sound Research Conference
Vancouver, British Columbia
March 26–29, 2007
Contact Justin Longo, Conference Co-Chair
Environment Canada and visiting researcher at POLIS

 
"Accessing Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity: Rights, Responsibilities and Key Issues"  Presentation by Dr. Kelly Bannister on March 24, 2007  10:20-11:20 am at the 7th Annual Health Conferernce of the Global Outreach Students Association (GOSA): Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Access to Essential Medicines. First Nations Longhouse, University of British Columbia. FREE admission, including lunch. Register by contacting  gosa.ubc@gmail.com. Read Conference information and Program
 
"The Importance of Ethics in Community-Based Research"  Presentation by Dr. Kelly Bannister on March 12, 2007  11:00-11:30 am. Community Research Engagement Workshop. Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre, 200 Cowichan Way, Duncan, BC. Sponsored by Inter Tribal Health Authority, Network  Environments for Aboriginal Research BC, and Snuneymuxw First Nation.
 
"Traditional Knowledge, Local Expertise and Biodiversity Conservation".  Presentation by Dr. Kelly Bannister on March 7, 2007, 7:00 - 8:00 pm,  Malaspina University-College, Faculty of Science and Technology Spring Lecture Series 2007.  Visit Website for information
 
"The Nexus of Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge". Presentation by Dr. Kelly Bannister on March 8, 2007 5:00 - 6:30 pm, University of British Columbia, Forests and Oceans for the Future speaker series.  Visit Website for information

"Climate Change, Community Action... and Echo Heights?"  Presentation by Dr. Kelly Bannister on March 1, 2007, 6:40-7:00 pm, Saint Joseph's School, Chemainus. Keynote address, AGM of the Chemainus Residents Association. Read ad in Chemainus Courier (March 22, 2007). A write-up was published in the Ladysmith Chronicle on Mar 06, 2007. Read article
  
FEBRUARY 2007
Planet U: Sustaining the World, Reinventing the University was nominated by Victoria's Monday Magazine for an "M award" for best nonfiction book of the year 2006.
 
"The Risky Enterprise of Science and Scientific Communication" is a report by Andrew Wender on the first Student Biotechnology Network's speaking event on Feb 13 featuring Dr. Conrad Brunk, Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria. Dr. Brunk's presentation was entitled "Representing Science in the Public: Some Rules of Engagement." Read report
 
Oliver Brandes receives kudos for his contributions to addressing water and climate change issues in the CRD in an article called "Local innovative leaders who are making a difference." The Lower Island News, Volume 24, January-February 2007, page 9. Read article
 
POLIS Research Associate, David R. Boyd, submitted a brief to the federal government in response to the announced Clean Air Act. The brief is entitled “Reality Check: Climate Change and the Proposed Clean Air Act" and was presented to the Standing Committee on Bill C-30 on February 6, 2007. Read brief
 
"Finding a New Path for Water Sustainability". A FREE workshop with Oliver Brandes (POLIS) and Peter Dixon (Veins of Life Watershed Society) on Monday, 26th February 2007 from 7:00–9:00 PM at 2994 Douglas Street (BCGEU Auditorium). Oliver will introduce the Soft-Path for water management, including ideas on water conservation and local opportunities for this approach. Peter will give a presentation on the history of water management in the CRD and conclude with new, emerging issues that need to be addressed. To register for this free workshop, or for further information, please contact Dorothy by phone at 595-1701 or by email at dgclippingdale@shaw.ca. Refreshments provided. Read workshop flyer
 
 "Me an expert? Reflections on Environmental Policy Research and Advocacy." Presentation by Tony Maas on February 9, 2007 at 12 noon, Hutt Building Rm 234, University of Guelph. Part of Guelph Geography Speaker Series. Read abstract

"Bioprospecting and Traditional Medicines: Legal and Quasi-legal Mechanisms for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge." Panel discussion led by Dr. Kelly Bannister, Mr. Merle Alexander and Dr. Thomas W. Bailey on February 8th from 12:30-2:00. UBC Law Building, Room 101 (1822 East Mall). Special event of the University of British Columbia Law Student Intellectual Property Club.  Read flyer
 
JANUARY 2007
CONGRATULATIONS to Professor of Business and POLIS Advisor Ana Maria Peredo who was recently honoured with the "Ascendant Scholar Award" for her pioneering work in the field of community-based entrepreneurship, sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty. She is one of four scholars, only two of whom are Canadian, presented with the 2007 award from the Western Academy of Management, a non-profit regional division of the US-based National Academy of Management. Read media release