A presentation about the Saturna Island Marine Research and Education Society.

1. &
saturna island
marine research
education society

2. VANCOUVER
BELLINGHAM
VICTORIA
CANADA
USA
SATURNA
ISLAND
VANCOUVER ISLAND
OLYMPIC PENINSULA
SOUTHERN
GULF ISLANDS
SAN JUAN
ISLANDSHARO
STRAIT
STRAIT OF
GEORGIA
PUGET SOUND
STRAIT OF
JUAN DE FUCA
ROSARIO
STRAIT
Saturna is a Southern Gulf
Island positioned right in the
center of the Salish Sea, on
the international boundary
between Canada and the
USA. It’s within the urban
triangle of Vancouver,
Victoria and Bellingham.
salish sea
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON
STATE

3. CABBAGE ISLAND
WINTER
COVE
LYALL HARBOUR
FERRY LANDING
BOOT
COVE
VINEYARD
MT. WARBURTON PIKE
BROWN RIDGE
EAST POINT
NARVAEZ BAY
MT. DAVID
MT. ELFORD
FIDDLERS
COVE
PLUMPER SOUND
STRAIT OF GEORGIA
BOUNDARY PASS
MT. FISHER
BREEZY
BAY
TAYLOR POINT
CACTUS POINT
MONARCH HEAD
MURDER POINT
ECHO BAY
TUMBO CHANNEL
TUMBO ISLAND
saturna island
Saturna is 31 sq. km. of rugged, mountainous land. About
half is designated park and much of the surrounding water
is a proposed national marine conservation area.

6. our visionTo establish a marine research centre and educational
programme on Saturna Island and contribute to the
understanding and stewardship of our natural environment.

7. our
mission
1. to attract scientific research and
educational programmes to Saturna
through partnerships with universities,
aquariums, parks, scientists, educators
and other environmental organizations
2. to be a center for marine research
and education, to encourage the
development of citizen science and
environmental stewardship
3. to bring all people closer to an
understanding of and appreciation
for the intricate web of our marine
ecosystem through presentations,
workshops and hands-on experiences

9. our
goals
1. ORGANIZE MOBY DOLL ORCA SYMPOSIUM
2. ESTABLISH A SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY GROUP
3. OFFER MARINE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
4. INSTALL HYDROPHONE & WEBCAM
5. SECURE STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
6. EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES FOR A MARINE
RESEARCH FACILITY ON SATURNA

10. MOBY DOLL ORCA
SYMPOSIUM
Work closely with the
Saturna Heritage Society to
organize a whale symposium
that brings together prominent
orca researchers from 1964
to today. Celebrate the aware-
ness that Moby Doll brought
us and all that we have learned
about orcas in 50 years.

11. ESTABLISH SCIENTIFIC
ADVISORY GROUP
Assemble a group of scientists
who can advise on the needs
and basic requirements for
in-the-field research. Develop
short and long-term programs
in cooperation with the scien-
tific community. Initiate ways
that Saturna residents can
participate in citizen science.

12. 3ESTABLISH
PRESENTATION SERIES
Create an ongoing public
environmental education
program with experts in their
fields. In 2013, the goal is for
4 unique presentations.

13. 4
INSTALL HYDROPHONE
AND WEBCAM
at East Point in conjunction
with the Fog Alarm Building
for an enhanced land-based
orca viewing experience and
greater public engagement.
Make it universally available
on a website.

14. 5
SECURE STRATEGIC
ALLIANCES
Approach scientists, aquariums,
universities, Parks Canada and
other related parties to partner
in a research and education
facility on Saturna Island.

15. EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES
FOR A MARINE
RESEARCH FACILITY
Work closely with our strategic
partners to develop a program
and location plan for a research
centre. Be the liason between
the scientific and Saturna
communities.

16. fund
raising
SHORT TERM
1. start up costs
2. Moby Doll orca symposium
ONGOING
3. presentation series
4. hydrophone and webcam
5. research and education programme
development
LONGTERM
6. large-scale funding through universities,
governments, private and corporate
foundations and philanthropists

17. raise
awareness
raise
funds
1. Moby Doll Symposium
2. Scientific Advisory Group
3. Presentation Series
4. Hydrophone & Webcam
5. Strategic Alliances
6. Marine Research Centre
SHORTTERM
• Start up Costs
• Moby Doll Orca Symposium
LONGTERM
• Large-scale funding for Research Centre through
universities, governments, foundations, philanthropists
overview
ONGOING
• speaker series
• hydrophone & webcam
• research & education programme development
SATURNA
ISLAND
MARINE
RESEARCH&
EDUCATION
SOCIETY
• create structure
• establish society
• research potential

18. why saturna?

19. our environment

20. gulf islands national park &
marine conservation area
Almost 50% of Saturna Island is within the Gulf Islands
National Park. Most of the waters surrounding the island
are within the proposed National Marine Conservation Area.
This is one of the most ecologically at risk natural regions in
southern Canada. It supports a rich and diverse group of
species and habitats.

21. southern resident orcas
East Point, on Saturna Island, is one of the best places in the
Pacific Northwest to observe the orcas from land, up close
and personal. From May to October, whales from J, K, and
L pods, transient orcas, minke and the occasional humpback
swim along our shore on their feeding route between the
Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Fraser River.

23. Saturna Island is a place to
observe a wide variety of
species including:
MARINE MAMMALS seals,
steller sea lions, porpoise
RAPTORS bald eagles, hawks,
peregrine falcons, owls
MARINE BIRDS cormorants,
oyster catchers, shorebirds,
sea ducks, migrating species
INTERTIDAL INVERTEBRATES
jellyfish, anemones, sea stars
sponges, crustaceans, worms,
molluscs & many more
marine life

25. It’s also a place to study
marine geology, plantlife and
how it all interconnects. There
is a variety of rocky and sandy
beaches. One can find excel-
lent examples of:
SANDSTONE WEATHERING
large tracts of
alveolar erosion
NATIVE VASCULAR PLANTS
including arbutus & garry oak
FUNGI, MOSSES & LICHENS
thousands of species
SEAWEEDS & SEAGRASSES
kelp & eel grass beds
marineecology

26. fresh&saline marshes

27. intertidalinvertebrates

28. marinebirds

29. raptors
Mt. Fisher on Saturna’s
south-west side is a
protected area within the
Gulf Islands National Park
where eagles, hawks, owls
peregrine falcons, osprey and
turkey vultures can be
observed and studied. It’s
also on a migratory route
with seasonal population
fluctuations. The dry rocky
terrain and mild winters are
ideal nesting and hunting
grounds for these birds.

30. Saturna Island is at the inter-
section of nature conservancy
and industry. All international
marine traffic from Vancouver
ports passes the island and on
a clear day, oil refineries in
Bellingham and Ferndale can
be seen from East Point.
Perhaps more than any other
reason, our location in the
Salish Sea makes this the ideal
place to study the effects of
human activities on marine
ecology for a deeper under-
standing of our intricate web.
beauty &
the beast

31. is there a place for all of us?

32. our community

33. saturna islanders
With a permanent population of about 300 people, a remark-
able number of things get accomplished on Saturna, mostly
through industrious volunteer efforts. The island offers an
alternative lifestyle and most people that stay feel an extraor-
dinary connection to the natural marine environment.There’s
an interesting mix of people from all areas of the arts includ-
ing writers, painters, architects, designers, photographers,
musicians, film producers, artisans, chefs and natural heal-
ers. There are sailors and fishermen, house builders, trades-
people, farmers, educators, professionals and business
people. Most importantly, many citizens are willing to work
hard for a new idea, initiating and completing unique projects
which enrich the lives of those who live and visit here.

34. fog alarm
building
The Fog Alarm Building (FAB)
was rescued from demolition,
rehabilitated and turned into
an interpretive centre focused
on historical stories of Satur-
na. It is located at East Point
in the Gulf Islands National
Park. Inside, many stories
about the island are displayed
on panels and in video format.
It has an undisturbed view of
Boiling Reef, where lots of
marine life can be observed.
It’s equipped with high-speed
internet and can be a central
place for scientific field work.

35. saturna ecological
education centre

36. The Saturna Ecological Education Centre (SEEC) is an experi-
ential, place-based ecological learning centre for students in
Grades 11 and 12. The programs connect to the British
Columbia education curriculum while encouraging learners
to go deeper, immersing themselves in the natural world to
feel, understand and act for the environment. A unique live-
in campus in an off-grid setting on a working farm makes the
experience truly life-changing for many of the students. Out-
reach programs can be created to involve these students in
research projects, opening them to future careers in science.

37. living
green

38. recycling centre
To lessen the impacts of trash, Saturna residents estab-
lished a recycling centre more than 20 years ago. A shelter
was built, compacting equipment purchased and a process-
ing system put in place. With a little seed money, volunteer
labour and a lot of ingenuity, the centre is highly successful.
The centre also has a Free Store where residents can
exchange things they no longer need. It’s a clear example of
a community helping itself be environmentally responsible.

39. A number of years ago a group of
residents decided to help bring chum
salmon back to Lyall Creek. With
support from Fisheries and Oceans
Canada, volunteers began a program
to incubate chum eggs in Lyall Creek
and then release the young salmon
into the ocean each spring. An im-
passable culvert was replaced, in-
stream and riparian area restored.
Local elementary school children
participate in stocking the creek each
year with salmon fry. Lyall Creek is
considered to be a benchmark for
habitat restoration in the region.
lyall creek
salmon
restoration

41. There is a wide network of
maintained hiking trails and
beach-front access paths
throughout the island. From
mountainous terrain and deep
forest to grassy fields and
sandstone beaches, there are
trails that will take you to
almost any place you would
like to go. The trails are
created and maintained by
Saturna Parks and Recreation
and Parks Canada.
hiking trails

42. saturna
facilities
&
services
Saturna is a small community with limited commercial
services, however all the essential elements are here.
• high-speed internet connectivity
• postal service with courier connection
• daily ferry service to Victoria and Vancouver
• private water taxi service
• Seair Seaplanes scheduled flights to Vancouver
• government dock with fuel facility
• private marina
• general store for provisions
• pub, café, coffee bus, bistro
• lodge, cottages and B&B accommodations
• limited Parks Canada camping
• meeting and banquet facilities
• Community Hall & Recreation Centre
• Volunteer Fire Department, Saturna Island Rescue
and Health Clinic
• community library and a book store
plus a variety of other independent businesses
and services

43. this
project
is good
for
saturna
It’s an initiative that fits the values of the
majority of residents – it utilizes our natural
resources without altering them. It will help
the marine environment in which we live
and add vitality to our community.
The ongoing economic spin-off will
be important for Saturna businesses,
bringing educational tourism and the
daily activities of a research centre.
THETIME IS RIGHT:
The scientific community continues to
be affected by government cutbacks
and there is a need for more
engagement in citizen science.

44. won’t you join us?

45. how can
you help?
Financial support, sponsorships and
donations are gratefully accepted.
Participate as a science advisor,
volunteer, or a citizen scientist.

46. &
saturna island
marine research
education society
contact us
SIMRES DIRECTORS
Larry Peck, Chairman
Bob Bruce
Charles Reif
Bill Schermbrucker
Sue Syverson
Sheila Wallace
Maureen Welton
saturnamarineresearch@gmail.com