Sustainable Use of Estuarine Environments
Location: Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Program from the Meeting

Video from students on the VIU Campus, check out the campus

More info on our Speakers Keynote Speaker Neil Dawe, and our icebreaker speakers, Deidre Cullon and Heather Pratt

Highly productive and diverse, estuaries are often the site of intensive human occupation and interaction.  In British Columbia, the history of social-ecological interactions goes back thousands of years.  The 2010 Pacific Estuarine Research Society (PERS) meeting is entitled “Sustainable Use of Estuarine Environments” and will explore past and present human interactions within estuaries of the Sailish Sea and north Pacific Coast. 
Vancouver Island University (VIU) welcomes existing and new members of PERS to the 2010 annual meeting in Nanaimo, the Harbour City.  The City of Nanaimo is the gateway to Vancouver Island and sits on the doorstep of the Nanaimo River estuary, the largest estuary on Vancouver Island.  The Snuneymuxw First Nation have occupied the shores of the Nanaimo estuary for more than 5,000 years. 
VIU’s Centre for Shellfish Research launched a number of critical research initiatives in 2001 focusing on ecological interactions, shellfish health and husbandry and social interactions with coastal communities.  The CSR along with the Institute for Coastal Research at VIU are keenly interested in sharing their knowledge and hosting the 2010 PERS meeting. 
As always, PERS anticipates a vigorous and strong scientific program, along with new and innovative contributions for advancing education and broad-based participation from coastal planners, policy-makers, industry, NGO’s, and others interested in coastal and estuarine ecosystems.  PERS also strongly encourages participation by students, young scientists, and non-scientists interested in current research and management applications.
Oh, and while you are here, don’t forget to try the Nanaimo Bars!

Questions about the meeting should be directed to Scott Northrup at Scott.Northrup@dfo-mpo.gc.ca