Northeast BC Natural Resources Education Tour

2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour Summary Report Courtney Hughes BSc, BEd, MEd

Boreal Education Coordinator

Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, British Columbia April 29 – May 1, 2010

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2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour Summary Report

Table of Contents I.

Overview

2

II. Program

3

III. Partnership and support

4

IV. Futures

5

Appendix A - Program participants

6

Appendix B - Detailed program

7

Appendix C – Testimonials

9

Appendix D – Participant Survey Results

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1 2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour Summary Report

I. Overview Inside Education’s educator professional development offered entirely outside Education was the Northeastern British Columbia 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, industry, 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 engaging tours provided teachers with a rare glimpse at the inner workings of natural gas development right in their own backyard.

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I. Overview (continued) 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.

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II. Program 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.

Table 1: 2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour

April 29

April 30

May 1

Natural Resources 101 Jim Martin, Centre for Environment-Economy Learning

Future of Northeastern BC Forests – Challenges for Sustainable Development Dale Morgan, Peace Forest Region

Inside Education – Education Session & Summary Evaluation Steve McIsaac & Laura Milroy, Inside Education

Aboriginal Relations and Traditional Knowledge Kristina Van De Walle, Northern Lights College Luncheon Discussion – Life in a Northern Town Mayor Mike Bernier, City of Dawson Creek Shale Gas – Ecology and Environment Tyler Zerbe, Encana Natural Gas Development Field Tour Brian Lieverse, Encana

An Aerial View of the Boreal Bailey Helicopters Watershed Education and Training/Modeling Dr. Hans Schreier, UBC Charlie Lake Conservation Society Bruce Kosugi, CLCS An Educational Walk in the Woods Steve McIsaac, Inside Education

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.

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III. Partnership & Support Participants were made aware of partner organizations throughout the program and specifically during: the introduction, in the participant package, and during closing discussions. In addition to the support of the expert presenters and hosts noted on the previous page, a special thank you goes to the following organizations for their financial support in making this program possible:

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IV. Futures 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 summarized 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.

Appendix A - Program Participants Aaron Mathias South Peace Senior Secondary School Dawson Creek

Anneli Duncan Central Middle School Dawson Creek

Beno Fodor South Peace Secondary School Dawson Creek

Carson Sargent Chalo School Fort Nelson

Ed Young Chalo School Fort Nelson

Georgina Mercer Fort Nelson Secondary School Fort Nelson

Jackie Da Ros South Peace Secondary School Dawson Creek

Lorena Wieler Taylor Elementary School Taylor

Rhiannon Johnson Fort Nelson Secondary School Fort Nelson

Robert Dempsey North Peace Secondary School Fort St. John

Sarah Huggins North Peace Secondary School Fort St. John

Susan Hay R. L. Angus School Fort Nelson

Troy Boyd North Peace Secondary School Fort St. John

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Detailed

Program

Appendix B Thursday, April 29 Dawson Creek Natural Resources 101 This session will be an introduction to the forest, water and energy natural resources ‘right in our own backyard’. This presentation will introduce the ecology, economics and some social issues related to natural resources in northeastern BC. Presenter: Jim Martin, Centre for Environment-Economy Learning Aboriginal Relations and Traditional Knowledge This session will introduce teachers to the aboriginal communities in and around northeastern BC with an eye to both their relationship with the natural world and relationship to natural resource development. What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? What are the educational realities for these communities?

Presenter: Kristina Van De Walle, Northern Lights College

Luncheon Discussion – Life in a Northern Town Dawson Creek’s Mayor Mike Bernier will join participants in a discussion of the relationship between communities and the natural resources 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 Shale Gas – Ecology and Environment We have all heard there is natural gas under our feet in northeastern 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 development in section of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

Presenter: Tyler Zerbe, Encana Natural Gas Development Field Tour Ever wondered what those facilities are we see around Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson? This field excursion will allow 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 30 Fort St. John Future of Northeastern BC Forests – Challenges for Sustainable Development Dale will involve the teachers in a discussion about the what, how and why of managing 7.5 million hectares of the provincial landscape. 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 An Aerial View of the Boreal 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

Charlie Lake Conservation Society Bruce will outline what his grassroots group is doing to help manage 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 An Educational Walk in the Woods 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

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

Tour Hosts: Bailey Helicopters

Saturday, May 1

Watershed Education and Training/Modeling

Inside Education – Education Session & Summary Evaluation

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

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

the teachers to help uncover the importance of water educa-

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

tion and education through an interactive model. This engaging

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

presenter will help teachers discover educational paths for their

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

students in post secondary and beyond.

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

Presenter: Dr. Hans Schreier, University of British Columbia

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

Presenters: Steve McIsaac & Laura Milroy, Inside Education

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Testimonials Appendix C “What a privilege to have had the opportunity to come to this event. All the sessions were well planned, interesting, informative, and relevant 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.”

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Lorena Wieler, Taylor Elementary School, Taylor

Participant

Survey Results

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

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

50%

12.5%

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree

85.5%

50%

Strongly Disgree

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

I would recommend this experience to my colleagues.

25%

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree

75%

100%

Strongly Disgree

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

0.40 0.35 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 0-25

26-50

51-75

76-100

101-150

151-200

200+

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2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour Summary Report

Courtney Hughes BSc, BEd, MEd

Boreal Education Coordinator

2010 Northeastern British Columbia Natural Resources Education Tour Summary Report