I believe strongly in a experiential learning model where my students learn by doing. In July and August of 2014, I am very excited to be again offering Marine-terrestrial interactions at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, which will be co-taught by Dr. Paul Spence of the Climate Change Research Center at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Check out the course description.

I am currently teaching ES 592: Introduction to Data Analysis. This is a seminar style graduate-level course in Environmental Studies at UVic. I am introducing students to quantitative methods in ecology and providing the tools necessary to be better ecologists and to publish better papers. Students will be introduced to the powerful open access program R, and will undertake a major project to analyze a dataset of their choice culminating in the production of a research paper.

In May of 2012 I was a co-instructor for the amazing course: Resilience of Social Ecological Systems at Hakai Beach Institute. This graduate level course introduced students to the concept of resilience-based conservation and management via several case studies in the Hakai region. My section centered around salmon stream ecosystems, a visit to the Koeye River watershed, and the work of the stream dream team! Over this same time I also ran some stream assessment training with the Coastal Guardian Watchmen during their annual conference.

Marine-terrestrial interactions 2012 at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. This course was co-taught by Dr. Paul Spence of the Climate Change Research Center at the University of New South Wales in Australia, and PhD student Michelle Nelson of Simon Fraser University. Below are a few photos from this amazing course! Note: some photos were taken by Kelly Fretwell and other students in the course!