Field Course “Marine Mammal Ecology & Conservation: Research Techniques”

University of British Columbia, in association with Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation (CERF), is offering a field course on the biology of marine mammals in British Columbia. The course is taught at the Salmon Coast Field Station in the remote Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada.

The course will run over two weeks. Each day will include a mix of lectures and field activities, such as boat trips for direct observation of marine mammals. There will be an emphasis on learning practical field skills, including photo-identification, sampling techniques and behavioral observations, along with GIS mapping.

Students may obtain academic credit by enrolling in UBC course Biology 448 (Directed Studies) or potentially through their home institution. Alternatively, participation can be as an internship experience with a certificate of completion.

The course will be taught by Dr. Lei Lani Stelle, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Redlands and Research Biologist with CERF. She has worked in BC over the last 15 years studying gray whales, river otters, and Steller sea lions. She also leads a study in Southern California that examines human impacts on all marine mammal species. Professional artist and photographer, Shane Keena, MFA, will teach skills in photographing animals in the field, including editing software (example images can be viewed at http://ShaneKeenaPhotography.com). The UBC contact is Dr. Wayne Goodey (Lecturer, UBC).

Accommodations are in a house with shared, dorm-style beds, full bathroom, running water and electricity. Meals will be prepared communally.

Dates

Sunday August 3 – Friday, August 16^th, 2014

Field Cost ~$1500 CDN

· Course is limited to 10 participants

· Deposit of 50% of the course fee is required to reserve your space

Includes:

Instruction
Accommodation at field station
All meals
Round-trip transport between Telegraph cove and Salmon Coast field station
All activities (i.e. boat surveys)

Does not include:

UBC tuition fees (payable directly to UBC)
Travel insurance
Alcohol
The cost of getting to Telegraph Cove
Expenses incurred before/after the course or spending money

Additional information and applications are available at

http://cerf.bc.ca/courses/ubc.asp

Any questions should be directed to Dr. Stelle; leilani_stelle@redlands.edu

Lei Lani Stelle, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

University of Redlands
1200 E Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 748-8628