From the Forest to the Sea Watershed Education Program
GIFTS and the Galiano Conservancy Association have formed a new partnership that takes advantage of the two organizations’ combined 41 years experience to deliver cutting-edge youth education trips. The new program will engage students with real-world scientific exploration while they learn and apply the art of filmmaking to capture their experience and produce a polished documentary.
The Conservancy has, for 23 years, explored and stewarded the Pacific island’s diverse ecologies, developing the most relevant, captivating, and safe hands-on learning adventures for youth. Working scientists guide students in one of three ecosystems: marine park and intertidal zone, coastal forest, sea creatures, and midden deposits from Galiano’s millennia-old First Nations’ settlement; a watershed, where students assess the health of these crucial lifelines and become better stewards; or, an enchanting forest meeting a pebble beach where they learn the intricacies of forest types and assist in a restoration project.
In groups of 3 or 4, students will choose the subject that most fascinates them within one of these ecosystems to be the focus of their documentary. They can choose sea anemones or a forest bird, salmon restoration or sea stars, beaver dams or fir trees, or whatever topic tickles their curiosity. Galiano Conservancy biologists and educators will direct their research, provide interviews, and guide them through the ecosystem best suited to their subject. GIFTS’ mentors will guide them through interviews, filming B-roll, and all the other components of GIFTS’ regular filmmaking experience.
In GIFTS’ secure forest facility, groups will share the excitement of their new-found learning while finishing their edits. Besides their own film featured on a DVD with all the films created that week, participants will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of Gulf Islands’ ecosystems and the natural world.
Like all our school group programs, we are flexible in the delivery and specifics. We seek to provide your class with the most effective educational experience possible.
For more information about The Galiano Conservancy Association, please visit www.galianoconservancy.ca.
