strategic plan for research and education 2019 2022 · the 2019-2022 plan includes the next steps...

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR RESEARCH

AND EDUCATION 2019 - 2022

MOUNT ARROWSMITH BIOSPHERE

REGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

MABRRI Strategic Plan For Research and Education 2019—2022 i

The ideas and opinions expressed within this document are those of the Mount Arrowsmith

Biosphere Region Research Institute team, and do not express those of Vancouver Island University,

Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, or the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Governing

Roundtable.

Contact

Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute

Vancouver Island University

900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo BC V9R 5S5

250.753.3245 (local 2802)

Websites

mabrri.viu.ca

mabr.ca

Contributors

Larissa Thelin, Assistant Research & Community Engagement Coordinator (Author)

Courtney Vaugeois, Community Engagement Projects Coordinator (Design)

Graham Sakaki, Research & Community Engagement Coordinator (Editor)

Pam Shaw, Director (Editor)

Sarah Lumley (Co-Author of 2015-2018 Strategic Research and Education Plan)

Photograph Sources

Social Media

Facebook.com/MountArrowsmithBR

@mtarrowsmithbr

The photograph of Hamilton Marsh on the front cover was provided by Arrowsmith Media. All

other photographs included in this report were taken by the MABRRI team.

Citation

Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. (2019). Strategic plan for research

and education 2019-2022. Retrieved from https://mabrri.viu.ca/resources

https://mabrri.viu.ca/

http://www.mabr.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/MountArrowsmithBR

https://www.instagram.com/mtarrowsmithbr/

https://www.arrowsmithmedia.com/

https://mabrri.viu.ca/resources

MABRRI Strategic Plan For Research and Education 2019—2022 ii

Executive Summary

The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute’s Strategic Plan for Research and Education

aims to provide the foundation for the research institute to become a regional and international leader in

community-based, student-led environmental, social, and economic sustainability research.

The 2019-2022 plan includes the next steps for the research institute, including objectives for conducting

research in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and surrounding areas, research themes, updated

research priorities, as compared to the 2015-2018 plan, and our vision for collaborating with stakeholders

in the region.

2016 Wetland Recce 2017 Linley Valley World Cafe

MABRRI Strategic Plan For Research and Education 2019—2022 iii

Table of Contents

Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Context…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

MABRRI Research Objectives……………………………………………………………………………………………

Research Themes and Priorities……………………………………………………………………………………….

Vision for Collaboration……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Appendix A: Culture of Engagement…………………………………………………………………………………

Appendix B: Guiding Principles for Collaboration with First Nations…………………………………

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MABRRI Strategic Plan For Research and Education 2019—2022 1

The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) is an academic entity at

Vancouver Island University (VIU) that supports and conducts natural and social science research in the

Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) and surrounding areas. MABRRI was established at VIU in

2014 when the MABR transitioned from a charitable not-for-profit model to a regional roundtable

partnership model spearheaded by VIU and the City of Parksville1. The research institute conducts,

supports, and facilitates research that meets the environmental, social, cultural, and economic

sustainability goals of the MABR2 and upholds the strategic objectives of the United Nations Educational,

Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Programme3.

MABRRI’s mission is to advance a program of inquiry that involves all regional

stakeholders in meaningful explorations of issues of local relevance. By

harnessing the knowledge of the MABR community and the interdisciplinary

strengths of students, staff, and faculty at VIU, MABRRI seeks to be a centre for

collaborative research, innovation, and knowledge sharing that will elevate the

relationship between people and nature in the biosphere region.

Introduction

2018 Five Acre Farm

Stream Mapping

2016 Eel Grass Mapping 2018 UN Sustainable Development Goals & VIU Symposium


Context

The purpose of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme is to improve the relationships between

people and their environments through a global network of locally managed and internationally

recognized biosphere reserves4. In particular,

…the MAB Programme, through its World Network of Biosphere

Reserves (WNBR) and its regional and thematic networks, will

strategically address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

through sustainable development actions in biosphere reserves, carried

out in partnership with all sectors of society, to ensure the well-being of

people and their environment4(p. 3).

1) Conserve biodiversity, restore and enhance ecosystem services,

and foster the sustainable use of natural resources;

2) Contribute to building sustainable, healthy and equitable societies,

economies and thriving human settlements in harmony with the

biosphere;

3) Facilitate biodiversity and sustainability science, education for

sustainable development (ESD) and capacity building; and

4) Support mitigation and adaptation to climate change and other

aspects of global environmental change3.

Biosphere reserves support and facilitate collaboration between Indigenous Peoples, stewardship

organizations, all levels of government, corporations, academic institutions, and residents3. Partners

work together to address the four strategic objectives of the MAB Programme:

MABRRI functions as the research arm of the MABR, a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve1, thereby

allowing the MABR to fulfill the third strategic objective of the MAB Programme, mentioned above.

The MABR is located on Vancouver Island, extending from the top of Mount Arrowsmith – the highest

mountain on Southern Vancouver Island5 – to 300 meters into the Salish Sea6 (Figure 1). The

boundaries of the MABR make up the approximate boundaries of five watersheds – Englishman River,

Little Qualicum, French Creek, Nanoose Creek, and Bonnel Creek6. Within 1186 square kilometers,

MABR encompasses many unique ecosystems ranging from high alpine and coastal forests to intertidal

and marine habitats7. The drastic vertical range gives the MABR incredible biodiversity and makes it

unique among biospheres in Canada7. The region is home to 45,000 people and is also within the

traditional territories of seven First Nations7: Qualicum, Snaw-naw-as, K’ómox, Snuneymuxw, Tseshaht,

Hupacasath, and Ditidaht.


The location of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region on Vancouver Island

The MABR is currently governed by a Roundtable of stakeholders representing the following

organizations: Snaw-naw-as First Nation, Qualicum First Nation, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum

Beach, Snuneymuxw First Nation, BC Ministry of Environment, Vancouver Island Conservation Land

Management Program, Islands Trust, The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce, Island Timberlands,

TimberWest Forestry Corporation, and Vancouver Island University1. There are also two community

representatives. The Roundtable members meet quarterly to discuss potential collaborative projects and

initiatives, as well as issues that may be occurring in the region (see Roundtable Meeting Minutes here).

The meetings are guided by two documents that were collaboratively developed by the Roundtable

members: the MABR Roundtable Culture of Engagement (Appendix A), and the MABR Guiding Principles

for Collaboration with First Nations (Appendix B). As the governing body of the MABR, the Roundtable

members also serve as an Advisory Committee to MABRRI, and have therefore provided input on

MABRRI’s research projects, as well as on the development of this Strategic Plan for Research and

Education.

Since the development of the previous Strategic Plan for Research and Education (2015-2018)8, MABRRI’s

level of research output and competency has dramatically increased. This plan will therefore serve to

frame the objectives of all future research at MABRRI and narrow the focus of research efforts and

resources into updated priority areas that will best serve the MABR.

http://www.mabr.ca/documents


MABRRI Research Objectives

The overarching objective of MABRRI’s work is to support the research and educational goals of the

MABR, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, and the academic objectives of Vancouver Island

University, as mentioned previously. MABRRI’s specific objectives remain unchanged from the previous

plan and are to:

1) Continue to establish meaningful partnerships with a diverse

range of people, organizations, and communities in the MABR;

2) Continue to foster relationships with local First Nations based on

trust and mutual respect by adhering to the Guiding Principles

established in 2015 for collaboration with First Nations (see

Appendix A);

3) Facilitate respectful dialogue between MABR stakeholders to

determine the current research needs within the MABR;

4) Advance the research goals of the MABR community by providing

logistical support, equipment, training, and expertise and

encouraging community-based participatory research;

5) Provide a venue for regional partners to share knowledge, review

current research, and collaborate on solutions to increase the

environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability of the

region;

6) Provide practical hands-on learning experiences to students at VIU

and opportunities for conducting relevant applied research in the

MABR;

7) Integrate education about sustainable development, science, and

culture in the MABR into VIU course curricula and other

educational venues in the region, and;

8) Promote a diverse range of perspectives through interdisciplinary

research and collaboration.


Research Themes and Priority Areas

MABRRI is focusing its research efforts and capacity on three primary research themes: the three pillars

of sustainability – environmental, cultural and social, and economic. These themes currently remain

unchanged since from the previous Strategic Plan for Research and Education. However, in the near

future MABRRI plans to align its research themes with the Sustainable Development Goals, to align its

efforts more closely with the Man and the Biosphere Programme4. Within each of these research

themes are several priority areas of focus. These priority areas have been updated since the last

Strategic Plan for Research and Education.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a key component of biosphere reserves and a subject in which they are

expected to act as models for other regions around the world3. The MABR is seeking new opportunities

to ease conflict between natural and human systems and find ways for the two to mutually benefit each

other. The first step to finding these solutions is to learn more about current environmental challenges,

impacts, and drivers in the region. MABRRI will focus on three primary areas for future environmental

research: climate change, watersheds, and biodiversity.

Climate Change is a global problem and we are beginning to observe its impacts at both local and regional

scales9. Climate change research clearly illustrates a link between human actions in the past century and

increasing average global temperatures9. This magnitude of change will have drastic consequences for

the future of the planet and all of its inhabitants9. To address this issue, MABRRI will direct its efforts

towards attempting to understand the impacts of climate change in the region and determining both

mitigation and adaptation strategies that can be implemented at a local level. Some of MABRRI’s current

research initiatives related to this priority include studying the impacts of climate change on local plant

phenology, assisting with initiatives to find strains of bull kelp that are resistant to increasing ocean

temperatures, and teaching youth in the region about potential local impacts of climate change.

Watersheds define the boundaries of the MABR – in fact, the Region is home to five major watersheds:

Englishman River, Little Qualicum, French Creek, Nanoose Creek, and Bonnel Creek. These watersheds

not only provide drinking water for community members, but also provide critical habitat for fish and

other wildlife12. For this priority, MABRRI will seek to understand fresh water in the region, such as

ground water, streams, wetlands, lakes, and estuaries, including the impacts that humans may have on

it. Some of MABRRI’s current research initiatives that relate to watersheds include understanding how

wetlands contribute to ground water recharge and monitoring the quality of two major bodies of fresh

water.

I. Climate Change

II. Watersheds

III. Biodiversity


Biodiversity has been declining globally10 due to many factors, such as habitat destruction through land

degradation11. With climate change, the rate of biodiversity loss is expected to continue to increase9.

This can have many consequences on both natural systems and the ecosystem services that they

provide for people. What MABRRI seeks to focus on is local biodiversity: how it is changing over time;

what factors are affecting those changes; and how conservation efforts can be structured to have the

most positive impact in the region. An example of MABRRI’s current research initiatives related to this

priority is the Forage Fish Spawning Habitat Monitoring project, which involves mapping where forage

fish spawning habitat occurs, a key prey species for salmon, in an attempt to protect their habitat and

increase biodiversity in the Salish Sea.

Cultural and Social Sustainability

I. Traditional Knowledge & History

II. Reconciliation

III. Relationships of People & Nature

Cultural and Social Sustainability are key elements of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme3. In

order to achieve sustainable development, biosphere reserves must recognize the importance of social

and cultural aspects and their interlinkages with environmental ones3. In fact, the MAB Programme has

an ecosystem approach in regard to its strategy for integrated management of land, water, and

resources – in particular, “it recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral part of

ecosystems” 3(p. 27). As an example, biosphere reserves are meant to recognize “the role of traditional

and local knowledge in ecosystem management”3(p. 12). The MABR encourages community based-

participatory research that recognizes local people as the experts of their places. The MABR is home to a

diverse population and many different user groups, including many that have lived in the area for the

majority of their lives. MABRRI will focus on three primary areas for future cultural and social research:

traditional knowledge and history, reconciliation, and relationships of people and nature.

Traditional knowledge and history are elements that make the MABR a place that is unique to the rest of

the world. MABRRI recognizes that the history of the MABR includes the rich pre-colonial history of the

many First Nations who lived and looked after the land before colonial settlement. There are many

stories to be told in the region of changing environments, traditional ecological management practices,

and the development of local communities over time, which MABRRI seeks to learn and understand, and

to help ensure that these traditions survive. An example of MABRRI’s current research initiatives related

to this priority is the Snaw-naw-as Garden of Spiritual Healing, which involves working directly with Snaw

-naw-as First Nation members to grow traditional plants in an attempt to increase understanding of their

medicinal and ceremonial uses amongst community members.

Reconciliation relates to the renewal of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians

that is “based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership”13(para. 1). It is one of the key

initiatives of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO14 and the Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association


lists reconciliation as one of its focus areas15. In order to research traditional knowledge and history, the

MABR and MABRRI must first develop and strengthen relationships with the First Nation communities

that live in the area. The Snaw-naw-as Garden of Spiritual Healing is an example of what can be

accomplished when Indigenous and non-Indigenous people work together. An example of how MABRRI

is further attempting to foster reconciliation is through the development of a new and updated Guiding

Principles for Collaboration with First Nations (Appendix A), which will include protocol on how to gather

traditional knowledge in research initiatives.

Relationships of people and nature and the attempt at enhancing them is at the core of the MAB

Programme and thus a primary focus of biosphere reserves3. There are countless ways that people

interact with nature in the MABR – residents, business owners, recreational users, and tourists each

interact with nature in our biosphere region in different ways. In short, each person has a unique

relationship with the biosphere, and MABRRI hopes to harness these experiences through digital

storytelling, art, and other creative mediums. Researching and documenting these relationships will

allow MABRRI to better understand the needs of the MABR and both its natural and human inhabitants

as well as highlight the region’s sense of place. In the last couple years MABRRI has been working with

different communities within the MABR to better understand the people of the biosphere region.

Through the development of the City of Parksville’s updated Community Park Master Plan, through

various community engagement events that the team attends, and through the annual MABR BioBlitz,

MABRRI is continually working to not only understand how people connect with nature, but to facilitate

opportunities for this connection to occur.

Economic Sustainability

I. Natural Resource Management

II. Food Security & Sovereignty

III. Sustainable Development

Building a sustainable, healthy, and equitable economy that “positively affect[s] the conservation of

biodiversity and its sustainable use” is one of the strategic objectives of the MAB Programme3 (p. 18).

Economic sustainability is essential for ensuring a positive future for the MABR. MABRRI will focus its

efforts on determining ways for the MABR to thrive and develop economically while protecting the

social, cultural, and environmental aspects of the region.

Natural Resource Management, or sustainable natural resource management, is a key component of the

MAB Strategy3 and a major part of economic development in the MABR. The majority of lands in the

MABR are owned and operated by private forestry companies that boast sustainable practices that

grant them third-party certification in Sustainable Forestry Initiatives16. In partnership with these

forestry companies and other natural resource sectors, MABRRI is looking to collaborate on projects

that will be of mutual benefit to these industries, other user groups of the MABR, and the natural

environment. Such projects could include environmental monitoring, studying salmon populations, and


defining important habitat and wildlife corridors. Current research initiatives that align with this priority

include the groundwater recharge project mentioned in Watersheds above.

Food Security & Sovereignty directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: End

hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture17. As such, it

is an important aspect of the Man and the Biosphere Programme4. MABRRI will focus its efforts on

promoting sustainable agriculture, working with local groups to conserve agricultural lands, and assisting

with efforts to increase food security and sovereignty in the region, where possible. The Snaw-naw-as

Garden, mentioned in Reconciliation above, is also an example of how MABRRI is working to achieve this

priority – the garden houses 12 raised garden beds, most of which house fruits and vegetables and have

provided multiple years of harvest for the community.

Sustainable Development is a major component of the Man and the Biosphere Programme – particularly in

terms of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals4. It is essential to plan for future

generations to ensure that they will have equal or greater opportunities for economic success while also

preserving the quality of the natural environment. Green technology, renewable energy, and

environmental design are some areas of priority for MABRRI research, as well as an economic

assessment of ecosystem services in the region. A previous research initiative of MABRRI that align with

this priority is the French Creek Estuary Analysis that involved working with a local environmental group

and the landowners of a property in French Creek to showcase the natural value of the property in

hopes of protecting a portion of the developable lands as natural space for the future.


Vision for Collaboration

As outlined in MABRRI’s research objectives, a main focus of the institute is the formation of

collaborative research projects with various stakeholders in the region. An integral part of MABRRI’s

vision for collaboration starts with building foundational relationships in the community. In building

these relationships, MABRRI is better able to learn about the needs and interests of its partners, which

can then be used to identify the most suitable projects to collaborate on. In addition to building

relationships in the greater community, MABRRI will also be forming these relationships with students

at VIU. There are many ways to incorporate student learning in MABRRI projects, and provide students

with relevant research experience in their chosen field. MABRRI hopes to pair some of these students

with interested community partners to establish projects that will be mutually beneficial.

One of MABRRI’s research objectives is to meet the research needs of the MABR by being open to any

person who comes forward with a research project. At the same time, the institute is still growing and

developing with a small, dedicated research team. This makes it essential for MABRRI to focus its efforts

on a selective number of projects at one time to allow for quality of research and a reasonable turn-

around time for projects. In order to balance these needs, MABRRI invites community members and

stakeholders to propose project ideas, recognizing that the institute cannot directly conduct and

manage each project brought forward; MABRRI can however, provide advice, technical expertise,

contacts, and equipment to assist with project development and initiation. To speak to a member of the

MABRRI coordinator team please visit the MABRRI website.

2018 Forage Fish Sampling Community Training 2018 Bull Kelp Diving

http://mabrri.viu.ca/contact


Conclusion

The next several years are full of opportunity for MABRRI, as the institute continues to develop and

expand its research capabilities. During this time, MABRRI hopes that many more people and partners

will become involved in its research initiatives and contribute to its success through their innovative

ideas, expertise, and passion for the MABR. This Strategic Plan for Research and Education is meant to

serve as a guiding document for the development of MABRRI’s research initiatives over the course of

the next three years. This document is not intended to limit the creativity, drive, or ideas of knowledge

holders, experts, or researchers in the region. Within the research themes and priority areas outlined in

this plan, there are many areas of overlap between topics, which MABRRI seeks to capitalize on as

opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. With its community-based, interdisciplinary

approach to research and a dynamic research team, MABRRI is well on its way to becoming a leader and

model of excellence for applied social and natural sciences research.

2018 Plant Phenology 2017 Construction at Snaw-naw-as Garden of Spiritual Healing


References

1. Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. (n.d.). Our Story. Retrieved from: http://www.mabr.ca/history/

2. Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation. (2012). Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve: Strategy and Action

Plan 2013-2018. Retrieved from: http://www.mabr.ca/documents/

3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2015). MAB Strategy 2015-2025. Retrieved

from: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/man-and-biosphere

-programme/strategies-and-action-plans/new-mab-strategy-and-action-plan/documents//

4. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (n.d.). About the Man and the Biosphere

Programme (MAB). Retrieved from: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological

-sciences/man-and-biosphere-programme/about-mab/

5. Regional District of Nanaimo. (2011). Mount Arrowsmith Massif Regional Park Management Plan. Retrieved

from: https://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID2223atID4367.pdf

6. Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. (n.d.). Geography. Retrieved from: http://www.mabr.ca/geography/

7. Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. (n.d.). About MABRRI. Retrieved from: http://

mabrri.viu.ca/about

8. Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. (2015). Strategic Plan for Research and Education:

2015-2018. Retrieved from: http://mabrri.viu.ca/sites/default/files/mabrri_strategic_research_plan_2015-

2018.pdf

9. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2014). AR5 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2014.

Retrieved from: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/

10. International Union for Conservation of Nature. (n.d.) Background & History. Retrieved from: https://

www.iucnredlist.org/about/background-history

11. International Union for Conservation of Nature. (n.d.) Barometer of Life. Retrieved from: https://

www.iucnredlist.org/about/barometer-of-life

12. Regional District of Nanaimo. (2007). Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Action Plan. Retrieved from:

https://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID3471atID6991.pdf

13. Government of Canada. (2018). Reconciliation. Retrieved from: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/

eng/1400782178444/1529183710887

14. Canadian Commission for UNESCO. (n.d.). Reconciliation in Action. Retrieved from: https://en.ccunesco.ca/

our-themes/building-inclusive-communities/reconciliation-in-action

15. Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association. (n.d.). About: Vision. Retrieved from: https://

www.biospherecanada.ca/vision

16. Mosaic Forest Management. (n.d.). Environmental Leadership. Retrieved from: https://

www.mosaicforests.com/environmental-leadership

17. United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 2. Retrieved from: https://

sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg2


Appendix A


Appendix B

strategic plan for research and education 2019 2022 · the 2019-2022 plan includes the next steps...

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