The BCMCA in Bamfield, B.C

Carrie Robb, BCMCA data manager and GIS specialist recently presented on behalf of the BCMCA at the First Knowledge Barkley Sound Symposium in Bamfield, B.C from February 9-11th. The BCMCA project tied in with the theme of the symposium, “spatial and temporal distributions of natural resources, human uses, and related values” and the Project Team was grateful that Carrie was able to participate in the symposium. As the project nears completion, this was a great opportunity to be able to communicate the unique collaboration of the BCMCA.

The presentation reflected the process of the BCMCA, which was titled, Generating Information to Support Integrated Marine Planning. Carrie presented results of some of the biophysical data and human use data, specific to Barkley Sound, which has been collected as a result of the BCMCA.

The Symposium was a unique 3-day gathering for the integration, summary, and synthesis of scientific, indigenous, and other local knowledge of the Barkley Sound ecosystem in British Columbia, Canada. Knowledge gathered will support sustainability planning initiatives in Barkley Sound and the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

The symposium’s goals were to develop

1) An open Wiki-site where submitted symposium abstracts and authored articles can be published. This site is known as the Barkelypedia. As the name implies, this is similar to Wikipedia, a peer reviewed online encyclopedia where anyone can share knowledge about the Barkley Sound ecosystem. Check out the site and learn how to post your own Wiki here.

2) An online Barkley Sound Knowledge Network community.