northeast bc natural resources education tour

2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour Summary Report

2010 Northeastern British ColumbiaNatural Resources Education Tour

Summary Report

Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, British Columbia

April 29 – May 1, 2010

title sponsor program supporters

TM

Courtney Hughes BSc, BEd, MEdBoreal Education Coordinator


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Table of ContentsI. Overview 2

II. Program 3

III. Partnershipandsupport 4

IV. Futures 5

AppendixA-Programparticipants 6

AppendixB-Detailedprogram 7

AppendixC–Testimonials 9

AppendixD–ParticipantSurveyResults 10


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Inside Education’s educator professional development offered entirely outside Education was the Northeastern British Colum-

bia Natural Resources Education Tour. This inaugural program aimed to provide British Columbia’s teachers with a greater

understanding and awareness of the natural resources found in their part of the province. Thirteen teachers (Appendix A)

from three school districts in northeastern British Columbia, representing Grades 1-12 participated in the exciting three-day

program. The discussions, tours and activities were used to expose participants to the water, energy and forest resources

found in abundance in their area.

Inside Education was pleased to incorporate program participation local and provincial experts representing government, indus-

try, academia and the not-for profit sector. Ensuring a multitude of perspectives were represented, the program was intended to

give teachers a broad overview of the many forms of natural resources that are important to the ecology, development, prosperity

and economy of northeast British Columbia.

The program began by covering a broad overview of the natural resources that are located in the areas surrounding Dawson Creek,

Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. This overview was followed by experts who addressed the social aspects of the natural resources

from both an aboriginal and community view.

The first natural resource to be focused on was that of shale gas, with Encana’s Tyler Zerbe providing insight into the geology of

this resource, one that is just growing in importance in the area and in the Horn River Basin. With this background information

setting the stage, it was on the bus to a tour of an Encana compressor site and a just-finished-operation drilling rig. These en-

gaging tours provided teachers with a rare glimpse at the inner workings of natural gas development right in their own backyard.

continued...

I. Overview


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Our next focus resource was that of the forest, with the British Columbia Ministry of Forest and Range helping provide an

understanding of all the complexities of managing the forest for a variety of stakeholders. This knowledge was put to use

in the field during a visit to a local forest and the opportunity for them to use some of the tools-of-the-trade in forest science

and forest management.

The issue of water and its management was addressed by UBC’s Dr. Hans Schreier, one of British Columbia’s leading water

researchers and educators. Finally, moving from the macro to the micro in water issues, we were very pleased to welcome

two guests from the Charlie Lake Conservation Society.

To help the teachers to get a better picture of the natural resources in NEBC from a different angle, we took the opportunity

to have an aerial view by helicopter. All enjoyed this unusual mode of transport as we had a bird’s eye tour of area oil and gas

operations, various stages of forestry operations, and even a fly-by of the future “Site C” hydroelectric dam.

Inside Education professional development programming strives to always keep in mind the needs of the teacher, even while

‘showing and telling’ so many detailed issues. Teachers were anxious to take advantage of the educational resources pertaining

to Natural Resource available to them. Inside Education’s summary workshop that walked the teachers through some of the best,

most relevant natural resource education materials available to them and their colleagues. We challenged the teachers to ‘spread

the word’, and share the experience and opportunities beyond the walls of their own classroom. Ultimately it will be the thousands

of British Columbia young people who will benefit from their teacher’s dedication to learning about Natural Resources in their area.

Northeastern British Columbia educators often face logistical and financial challenges to accessing high quality professional

development opportunities. The contacts, resources, and networking opportunities provided by Inside Education at no cost

to educators are invaluable toward furthering understanding of British Columbia’s Natural Resource and Energy sectors in

British Columbia’s youth.

I. Overview (continued)


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This three-day program held in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and the surrounding area allowed the participants to gain a

general understanding of the numerous Natural Resources found in that area of Canada. This was accomplished through a

progression of presentations and tours starting with an overview of the numerous natural resources then gradually progressing

through each resource individually. During the program, participants were engaged in informative discussions with presenters

and visited locations rarely seen by education professionals, thus enhancing their educational experience. A detailed program

can be found in Appendix B, and Table 1 below provides a general program overview.

Inside Education’s programs end on the final day with a discussion and demonstration on how to incorporate and apply the

information learned during the education tour to the classroom. Ultimately the program aim was to help British Columbia

students, become more informed about the topic of Natural Resources in their province, allowing them to become better

consumers, stewards and citizens.

II. Program

Table 1: 2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour

April 29NaturalResources101

Jim Martin, Centre for Environment-Economy Learning

AboriginalRelationsandTraditionalKnowledge

Kristina Van De Walle, Northern Lights College

LuncheonDiscussion–LifeinaNorthernTown

Mayor Mike Bernier, City of Dawson Creek

ShaleGas–EcologyandEnvironment

Tyler Zerbe, Encana

NaturalGasDevelopmentFieldTour

Brian Lieverse, Encana

April 30FutureofNortheasternBCForests–

ChallengesforSustainableDevelopment

Dale Morgan, Peace Forest Region

AnAerialViewoftheBoreal

Bailey Helicopters

WatershedEducationandTraining/Modeling

Dr. Hans Schreier, UBC

CharlieLakeConservationSociety

Bruce Kosugi, CLCS

AnEducationalWalkintheWoods

Steve McIsaac, Inside Education

May 1InsideEducation–Education

Session&SummaryEvaluation

Steve McIsaac & Laura Milroy,

Inside Education


Participants were made aware of partner organiza-

tions throughout the program and specifically during:

the introduction, in the participant package, and dur-

ing closing discussions. In addition to the support of

the expert presenters and hosts noted on the previ-

ous page, a special thank you goes to the following

organizations for their financial support in making this

program possible:

III. Partnership & Support

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The participants of the Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour were very pleased with the exposure,

information and understanding they gained from taking part in this program. Please refer to the comments and data sum-

marized in Appendix C and D.

Inside Education is proud of the success of our Education Tours and programs. In gauging the need for topical, pertinent

and easily accessible natural resource and energy education programs and services in British Columbia we have identified

a continuing desire in educators, partners and presenters to support programming that takes a deeper look at these topics.

Inside Education will continue to offer programming in these areas to enable teachers to better provide relevant and current

information to thousands of British Columbia’s youth.

IV. Futures

Aaron Mathias South Peace Senior Secondary SchoolDawson Creek

Anneli DuncanCentral Middle SchoolDawson Creek

Beno FodorSouth Peace Secondary SchoolDawson Creek

Carson SargentChalo SchoolFort Nelson

Ed YoungChalo SchoolFort Nelson

Georgina MercerFort Nelson Secondary SchoolFort Nelson

Jackie Da RosSouth Peace Secondary SchoolDawson Creek

Lorena WielerTaylor Elementary SchoolTaylor

Rhiannon JohnsonFort Nelson Secondary SchoolFort Nelson

Robert DempseyNorth Peace Secondary SchoolFort St. John

Sarah HugginsNorth Peace Secondary SchoolFort St. John

Susan HayR. L. Angus SchoolFort Nelson

Troy BoydNorth Peace Secondary SchoolFort St. John

Appendix A - Program Participants

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Detailed ProgramAppendix B

Thursday, April 29Dawson Creek

NaturalResources101

This session will be an introduction to the forest, water and en-

ergy natural resources ‘right in our own backyard’. This presen-

tation will introduce the ecology, economics and some social is-

sues related to natural resources in northeastern BC.

Presenter: Jim Martin, Centre for Environment-Economy Learning

AboriginalRelationsandTraditionalKnowledge

This session will introduce teachers to the aboriginal communities

in and around northeastern BC with an eye to both their relation-

ship with the natural world and relationship to natural resource

development. What are the challenges? What are the opportuni-

ties? What are the educational realities for these communities?

Presenter: Kristina Van De Walle, Northern Lights College

LuncheonDiscussion–LifeinaNorthernTown

Dawson Creek’s Mayor Mike Bernier will join participants in a discus-

sion of the relationship between communities and the natural re-

sources in and around Dawson Creek. A discussion around forestry,

mining, oil and gas and tourism will be among the issues discussed.

Presenter: Mayor Mike Bernier, City of Dawson Creek

ShaleGas–EcologyandEnvironment

We have all heard there is natural gas under our feet in northeast-

ern BC. Where is it? How did it get there? How do we find it? This

session will address some of the geological influences in the shale

of northern British Columbia that lead to natural gas this develop-

ment in section of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

Presenter: Tyler Zerbe, Encana

NaturalGasDevelopmentFieldTour

Ever wondered what those facilities are we see around Dawson

Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson? This field excursion will al-

low teachers to get up close and personal (from an appropriately

safe distance!) with natural gas development – included in the

tour will be a visit to a compressor site.

Host/Presenter: Brian Lieverse, Encana


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Friday, April 30Fort St. John

FutureofNortheasternBCForests–ChallengesforSustain-

ableDevelopment

Dale will involve the teachers in a discussion about the what, how

and why of managing 7.5 million hectares of the provincial land-

scape. He will address the economic, environmental and social

challenges that his region, the department and the government face

in managing these large land masses and the resources they hold.

Presenter: Dale Morgan, Peace Forest Region

AnAerialViewoftheBoreal

This exciting tour will allow teachers to get a birds-eye view of the

natural resources (and the development thereof) in northeastern

British Columbia. This helicopter-based tour will allow us to see

oil and gas, forestry alongside the natural environment features of

the region. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Tour Hosts: Bailey Helicopters

WatershedEducationandTraining/Modeling

One of British Columbia’s leading water educators will visit with

the teachers to help uncover the importance of water educa-

tion and education through an interactive model. This engaging

presenter will help teachers discover educational paths for their

students in post secondary and beyond.

Presenter: Dr. Hans Schreier, University of British Columbia

CharlieLakeConservationSociety

Bruce will outline what his grassroots group is doing to help man-

age the local watershed. Bruce will address concerns relating

to water quality in the lake to land used within the watershed.

The Society is working to help implement a strategic plan for the

watershed that addresses agricultural, residential, oil and gas,

transportation and recreation uses within the watershed.

Presenter: Bruce Kosugi, CLCS

AnEducationalWalkintheWoods

This field-based activity evening will introduce teachers to some

of the tools-of-the-trade in natural resources management. This

will be an engaging opportunity for participants to use some of

these tools and discover classroom applications (even without

the specialized equipment)!

Facilitator: Steve McIsaac, Inside Education

Saturday, May 1

InsideEducation–EducationSession&SummaryEvaluation

What can I use for resources in the classroom to teach about natural

resources and the environment? How will I take what I have learned

this tour back into the classroom? Where can I go for more informa-

tion? The weekend was full of information sessions, tours and activ-

ities. This program will help teachers put things together in a format

that could be used in their classrooms, schools and school districts.

Presenters: Steve McIsaac & Laura Milroy, Inside Education


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TestimonialsAppendix C

“What a privilege to have had the opportunity to come to this event. All the sessions were well planned, interesting, informative, and rel-

evant to the curriculum I teach. Your selection of speakers presented us with a wide range of views and expertise on a variety of subjects

under the resource umbrella.

This will certainly count as one of the best professional development opportunities I’ve had the privilege of being a part of in my 10 years

of teaching.”

Sue Hay, R. L. Angus School, Fort Nelson

“This tour was the most relevant professional development course I have ever done because of its application to me personally. I have lived

in the region almost my entire life and have been looking a way to gain access to the wealth of expertise that I know is in the area. You have

provided me with that access. I am very excited about what I can do for my students with respect to inspiring interest in Math and Science

as well as providing ideas for career opportunities.“

Jackie Da Ros, South Peace Secondary School, Dawson Creek

“This has been incredible! It means a lot, especially being in an isolated town to be given this sort of opportunity. Being new to this area of BC, I didn’t

know much about the local area and resources, but now, after all I have learned, I can bring a lot of relevant in formation back to my classroom.”

Rhiannon Johnson, Fort Nelson Secondary School, Fort Nelson

“To have so many experts brought to us in one place was invaluable. The field trips were amazingly informative and I have a much better

knowledge of what is happening in my own backyard.”

Robert Dempsey, North Peace Secondary School, Fort St. John

“I don’t know when I have learned so much! Having this deep look into my backyard has been wonderful. I compare what I already know to

the information I am gathering and honestly, I am astounded. This experience will make me better, more informative teacher.”

Lorena Wieler, Taylor Elementary School, Taylor


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Participant Survey ResultsAppendix D

How many students do you expect to share your experience with in the next year?

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disgree

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disgree

I would recommend this experience to my colleagues.

100%75%

25%

50%

50%85.5%

12.5%

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 101-150 151-200 200+

This experience has increased my awareness of available education resources related to the Natural Resources found in this area.

This experience has enhanced my teaching and helped me to provide an informative, accurate, and high quality educational experience for my students.

This education experience increased my understand-ing of Northeast British Columbia’s Natural Resouces, the environmental impact of their developmeny, and some of the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing this region.


Courtney Hughes BSc, BEd, MEdBoreal Education Coordinator

northeast bc natural resources education tour

Documents

forest resources

forms of natural resources

british columbias teachers

outside education

forest management

local forest

forest science

inaugural program