BCPARF

Connecting Knowers, Doers, and Learners!

Kamloops Registration Full. Online registration still open.

Since 2006, the British Columbia Protected Areas Research Forum (BCPARF) has worked with university and community co-hosts to bring together researchers, advocates, managers, students, and community members who create, share, and use research and knowledge in parks and protected areas across British Columbia and beyond. We believe in a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach to “research” and have prioritized submissions of all kinds that support evidence-based decision-making and needs-based research. This year's gathering is hosted at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. If you can't join in person, we will stream some of the programming online (please see schedule).

In addition to sessions beginning May 19th at 1pm Pacific and running through to May 20th at 4:30pm Pacific, the BCPARF team is pleased to welcome participants to the following activities, included in your registration:

May 20 ORCBC Mingler and Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Showcase

As formal BCPARF sessions wind down, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC Conference (ORCBC) will be starting their annual gathering of community partners, outdoor recreation providers and champions, volunteers, and land managers. This shared mingler is a unique opportunity to bridge two communities and do better by working together. Meet and mingle with attendees of the ORCBC Conference and learn about adaptive outdoor recreation equipment provided by community organizations such as RAD Society and Adaptive Adventures. ORCBC is also hosting the KORE Re-Hub Mobile Repair Trailer during the wee.

May 21 (am) Field Trips with Intention

On May 21, participants are invited to join one of five interactive “walkshops” either at Thompson Rivers University or at sites throughout the Kamloops region. These half-day field trips with intention offer informal experiential conversations with colleagues who want to share a conversation in the outdoors or visit a new place. Transportation and lunch is included with your registration. The five planned sessions include:

1. Ecogrief and Conservation Mental Health (09h00 to 12h00 at TRU): Conservation professionals are increasingly on the front-lines of climate change and biodiversity challenges. While many organizations offer mental health programs, coping with ecogrief and supporting conservation mental health calls for intergenerational community-building, intentional public and organizational education, and efforts to understand and reduce stigma around workplace stress. This field trip will build on CPCIL, BCPARF, and other efforts related to ecogrief and mental health and consider if and how advancing conservation mental health could be a pillar of our Collective.

2. Using Drones for Research and Management (09h00 to 12h00 at TRU): Drones can be outfitted with a variety of different sensors which can provide very high resolution data in a short time over a small area to help with various decision-making processes, including salmon habitat, natural hazards, vegetation health analysis, planning, infrastructure inspection, wildfire detection and monitoring and many others. This interactive session will provide an understanding of the advantages and limitations of watershed mapping using drones, including the resulting geo-spatial data products like orthomosaics and digital surface models (DSMs).

3. Grassland Conservation and Education (08h15 to 13h00 Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area - transport provided): Many presenters at BCARF are involved in Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area and will have uplifted the value of grasslands in conservation, recreation, education, and the parks and protected areas landscape. This outing is an opportunity to connect grassland-focused learners, doers, and knowers in the BCPARF and CPCIL Collective -- or to just appreciate some time in the grasslands around Kamloops.

4. CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES: Cwwelcwelt Kuc Garden and Indigenous Food and Freedom School

5. Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park and Kamloops Indian Residential School (09h00 to 12h00 transport provided): This session will begin with reflections about the link between parks and protected areas, conservation, and Reconciliation followed by a short ride to the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park and Kamloops Residential School where our guide will take us through the chapel, dining room, kitchen, boys’ dormitory, and gymnasium of the Kamloops Indian Residential School (1923-1977) and share the history of what really took place at this school. This visit is not simply a field trip it is an act of reconciliation and a step toward deeper understanding. Thank you for walking into this learning space with an open heart and mind. Note: Kamloops Indian Residential School tour may be substituted with a Guided Museum Tour of the Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park.

Registered attendees will receive a link to select their top choices for Field Trips.

Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the ancestral lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúl̓ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. We value the privilege to live and learn on these lands. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples. Wherever we are, we are grateful for the Indigenous peoples who have cared for--and will continue to care for--the places we work, learn, play, and connect.

REGISTRATION

NOTE: Registering after May 11 may impact our ability to accommodate food requirements.

KAMLOOPS - May 19-21

• $350 regular attendee

• $150 student or other needs-based

• Maximum 200 participants

ONLINE (main room only)

• $10 per person

Learn more about BCPARF and view Legacy content from past events at CPCIL.ca/BCPARF.

Travel to and accommodation in Kamloops are not included in the registration fee. We have arranged a booking discount at 3 properties:

• TRU residences: please book via this link using code 13836 for 15% off - VALID UNTIL MAY 12

• Ramada Hotel: please book by calling 250-374-0358 ext 0 or via this link using code BCPARF - VALID UNTIL MAY 1

• Plaza Hotel: please book by calling 250-377-8075 using the code BCPARF - VALID UNTIL MAY 1

If you would like to book your accommodation independently of our reservation, we recommend using the Tourism Kamloops website. Kamloops is easily accessible by car, various bus companies (Ebus, BC Bus North, Rider Express, etc.), and VIA Ria. If you are flying, we have arranged a booking discount with Air Canada CWCG3KA1; however, a discount is only applied if 10 or more people use it. If you need any assistance with booking accommodation or travel, please contact aliya@cpcil.ca.

This event will be photographed and images will be posted on the CPCIL and UBC websites. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please inform the CPCIL team at the registration desk on May 19th when you pick up your conference materials. UBC is authorized to collect these images under section 26 of the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

BCPARF is supported by the Collective for Parks, Conservation, Innovation and Leadership (CPCIL), a project at the University of British Columbia to reveal and support a growing community of knowers, doers, and learners working in protected areas, conservation, and (re)connection with nature across the continent.

Collaboration is in our nature and we welcome in-kind or financial contributions to help lower costs for all. Contact aliya@cpcil.ca if you would like to work with us.