They wanted questions about the estuary and they got them.
More than 100 questions were gathered from the dozens who attended the second Citizen Scientist Initiative (CSI) on Saturday, March 21 at StartUp Squamish, and the task now is to analyze and categorize the inquiries before sending then off to get answers.
Event organizer Larry Murray of the 麻豆社国产Environmental Society (SES) said CSI gatherings are growing. Groups are learning from each other thanks to these events, he added.
鈥淭he whole notion of CSI is catching fire, and we鈥檙e seeing more energy in the whole field of empowering local people to come forward with the research they鈥檙e doing,鈥� he said. 鈥淐SI provides this forum or opportunity for people to show what they鈥檙e doing in our environment.鈥�
The event kicked off with opening remarks from Mayor Patricia Heintzman and launched into a video shot by birder Chris Dale with footage he had gathered in the estuary. A number of birds, insects, bears and a bobcat were featured in the video.
Edith Tobe from the 麻豆社国产River Watershed Society discussed her perspective on the area, reflecting on her more than two decades of experience studying the estuary. She also showcased the work she鈥檚 done with Quest University students to help them get involved.
Randy Lewis shared the 麻豆社国产Nation perspective on the estuary, and Carl Halvorson discussed what he鈥檚 learned since working with CN Rail following the Cheakamus Spill almost a decade ago.
鈥淐arl gave really good insights and has been working with CN Rail to mitigate that whole event,鈥� Murray said. 鈥淗e helped put together and extensive report with CN and the SES, and he鈥檚 learned a lot.鈥�
Halvorson said that for about a day, the river was really contaminated, but then the water flushed out a large part of the contamination. But during the flush out it made the surrounding area mostly sterile, he added; it has now recovered thanks in part to money provided by CN to remediate the river.
Meg Toom of WildSafeBC was the final speaker; she discussed the District of Squamish鈥檚 work in the estuary.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e doing some really neat environmental assessment stuff, and I鈥檓 excited about the robust approach to the estuary she is doing through the district with Caroline Ashekian,鈥� he said.
Following the speeches were open sessions where questions were raised, gathered and recorded for future use. SES has a busy April ahead with several Earth Day events planned, including a birdhouse-building project involving local students.
Murray said he was pleased with the second CSI gathering and hopes to see the event continue.
鈥淚 think we鈥檙e now moving forward with a deeper understanding of the environment and the estuary in general,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t these events we want to network, celebrate and share different techniques and all three objectives were met.鈥�
For more information on SES, visit www.squamishenvironment.ca or search 麻豆社国产Environment Society on Facebook.聽
