The PODS Enterprise - Looking Forward to SUNSHINE COAST HIGHWAY PO BOX 8 MADEIRA PARK BC VON 2H

Transcription

1 The PODS Enterprise - Looking Forward to SUNSHINE COAST HIGHWAY PO BOX 8 MADEIRA PARK BC VON 2H

2 ABOUT THE PROJECT The Ruby Lake Lagoon Society is embarking on a bold journey into the future. Building on our many successes over the past twelve years we believe it is time to expand our stewardship beyond the relatively calm freshwaters of the Sunshine Coast and to reach out into our spectacular and dynamic marine environment. We all benefit by connecting with the wonders of the incredible natural world around us and this has always been our primary underlying philosophy. The connection between the land and the sea and the sky and all their inhabitants is what makes the Sunshine Coast such a truly magnificent place to live and it is water that connects us all. With the potentially destructive consequences of climate change there could not be a better time for greater scientific understanding of our oceans. We know that there are major changes occurring in the Malaspina Strait and throughout the northern Georgia Strait and Salish Sea, but there are huge gaps in our knowledge. We honour the region s fishing, boat building and First Nations past but seek to embrace the new technological era in the same way as our forebears by embarking on a voyage of discovery exploring, surveying and protecting our priceless marine environment. Without up-to-date knowledge and the application of ground breaking scientific discoveries and technologies we are all left in the dark. By 2020 we intend to build a spectacular aquarium and stateof-the-art marine research centre in the heart of Madeira Park to help shed light on the oceans around us. The Lagoon Society is already actively engaged in citizen science projects with research partners at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which are proving extremely valuable. PODS will provide vital facilities for conducting further more elaborate marine research programs and will be within easy reach for students from numerous universities and colleges. For example, we know very little about herring recruitment, invasive species and the distribution of kelp beds. PODS will house: We will call this iconic facility The Pender Ocean Discovery Station or PODS. PODS will not only provide an outstanding educational resource for all ages but will also bring much-needed reinvigoration to the local economy of Madeira Park, particularly during the long winter months when business is often very slow. PODS is inspired by our passion for science-based education and applied research and the value this represents in conserving the marine world around us for future generations. A beautiful, interactive subterranean aquarium Interactive, hands-on exhibits Wet Lab Classroom with Touch Tanks An outdoor children s amphitheatre classroom Marine research laboratories for local high schools as well as regional university professors and students Extensive conference facilities A cafe and tea shop

3 ABOUT THE SOCIETY The Lagoon Society was formed by a group of local residents in April 2002 and in 2005 we built and opened the Iris Griffith Field Studies and Interpretive Centre, a state-of-the art green building adjacent to the Ruby Lake Resort. The IGC is now a hub of activity for local families with a restored wetland and small lake and numerous exhibits and displays. We also showcase many different sources of green energy, such as solar and wind power, and have beautiful wild flower gardens and landscaping using only native plants. Our aim has always been to promote the preservation and enhancement of Biodiversity throughout the Sunshine Coast. With this in mind we have always engaged with the local community here by inspiring curiosity and excitement in the natural world around us. Most of all though we are very proud to have initiated our flagship Nature School Program which provides top quality field trips for teachers to immerse students in outdoor education, including guided nature hikes, pond dipping and microscope studies. The Iris Griffith Centre has also become the venue for numerous environmental workshops, festivals, conferences and other events and has now grown into an established community of its own. The building of the Iris Griffith Centre has had a huge beneficial effect on the local economy and the visitors that we have attracted have added greatly to local commerce particularly through supporting local restaurants and hotels. We have also added over $5 million to the local economy through the hundreds of different grants, awards and bequests from which we have been fortunate enough to be the beneficiaries.

4 RUBY LAKE LAGOON SOCIETY REPORT CARD =50 =100,000 =50,000

5 IRIS GRIFFITH CENTRE REPORT CARD =1000

6 GET INVOLVED To help us on our voyage of discovery we are seeking financial help from many different sources but this is obviously a very considerable undertaking and we welcome all the volunteer help we can muster. If you would like to assist us in some way please do not hesitate to contact us and maybe consider helping us to grow in any of the following ways. Become a Patron of the Lagoon Society Become a Member of the Lagoon Society Help Host the Iris Griffith Centre Help out at the EarthFair Store in Downtown Madeira Help Organizing Fund-raising Events Join Our Citizen Science Projects Help with Stewarding The Tyner Regional Park Drive the Wood Duck Bus Grow Plants in our Native Plant Nursery Help us Organize Ourselves Make a Donation Consider a Legacy Package or a Bequest Contact our President Dr Michael Jackson at michael@lagoonsociety.com We are tied to the ocean. When we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came. J F KENNEDY

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