Sunday@4: Icefields to Oceans – Our Vanishing Glaciers

The Hakai Institute’s motto is “Science on the Coastal Margin”. Via ecological observatories, research platforms and partners, Hakai conducts long term ecological research on the BC coast.  Its studies cover the spectrum from coastal ocean, through the nearshore and estuaries, and up the fjords and watersheds to the snowfields and glaciers. Eric Peterson will talk about the impact climate change is having on our snow and ice, and what it means to salmon and everything else living in our coastal watersheds and ocean.

Eric originally trained as a scientist (Biology PhD), but his main career was as a technology entrepreneur, most notably as founder and president of Mitra. In the 1990’s Mitra developed international standards for medical imaging, taking hospitals from X-ray film to big data and diagnostic workstations. After selling Mitra in 2002, Eric created the BC-based Tula Foundation, which for the last decade has had the Hakai Institute as a core programs. Hakai is just the latest activity Eric has been pursuing for over 30 years: building dynamic, flexible organizations that tackle socially important tasks.

Photo: From the institute’s observation tower looking at the Klinaklini Glacier, which feeds Knight Inlet and Queen Charlotte Strait, near the north end of Vancouver Island.

Cash bar opens: 3:30 pm        Program starts: 4:00 pm

**Buffet Dinner (reserved guests only) immediately following the program:

Southern BBQ (@ $21+tax+gratuity): BBq pork side ribs and roasted BBQ island farms chicken, Mac and Cheese, cornbread, coleslaw

Prior Reservation Required (dinner only) – deadline Thursday, Feb. 7 – noon: email: jdinn@fairwinds.ca or call: 250-468-9915 (NB: Minimum 40 people required for buffet – please sign up ASAP)