By bringing the first Meal Exchange chapter to UVic, Jessica Schellenberg truly gave back to her student community during her four years studying environmental and social justice.

Vic marine biologist and coastal geographer Lauren McWhinnie is now looking at how we can also reduce noise pollution from small vessel traffic on this population of whales.

A new study led by recent PhD graduate Frances Stewart shows how the movements of one small mammal – the weasel-like fisher – through natural forested corridors underlines the importance of these safe pathways and points to implications for many other forest animals across the country.

Marine protected areas are well known for protecting biodiversity, but their effects on people who use the oceans are debated. Now a new review—led by University of Victoria marine conservation scientist Natalie Ban and 12 co-authors—illustrates that these protected areas can also support human well-being.

On World Ocean’s Day, marine biologist and coastal geographer Lauren McWhinnie is excited to be part of the festivities at Fisherman’s Wharf and supporting local organization SIMRES (Saturna Island Marine Research and Education Society); however, her purpose will be to raise awareness about small boat noise in the Salish Sea and its impact on the health of whales and in particular the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW).

Kate Field, a geography grad student, is lead author of a study focusing on the animal care policies used by peer-reviewed journals that commonly publish wildlife research. Here she answers questions about her new research, which she hopes will safeguard wildlife from unethical research practices.

A new genetic tool developed by UVic researchers can detect an endangered species' DNA from water, making environmental impact assessments more effective and reliable. The eDNA—or environmental DNA—technology detects the presence of a species in a matter of days.

Over the last 27 years, eight ships and one airplane have been intentionally sunk off the BC coast for the enjoyment of recreational divers—and to enhance habitat for local marine life. Yet artificial reefs remain controversial. Desiree Bulger, a master’s student in UVic's School of Environmental Studies, set out to find some answers.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how do you quantify the experience of holding a whale skull? Students in one history course recently had just that kind of heft added to their learning at the Royal BC Museum, examining the museum’s whale specimens.

Grieving orca highlights plight of endangered whales

UVic historian Jason Colby is a specialist on the history of people and marine mammals in the Pacific Northwest and is available to offer media an expert perspective on the crisis facing the endangered southern resident killer whale population, with the recent loss of the J-pod calf.

While many factors have contributed to the dwindling numbers of salmon—historic overfishing, warming ocean temperatures, reduced river levels, hatchery competition, freshwater habitat destruction, and disease—it's difficult to pin down the most significant causes. UVic research Francis Juanes believes that many causes of salmon mortality occur early in life.

Geography PhD candidate Jackie Ziegler studies the intersection between tourism and biodiversity conservation. She hopes her graduate research in Mexico and the Philippines will help inform government policy makers, local villages and visitors on the ethics of feeding sharks for tourism purposes.

Even underground oilsands mines can harm forest wildlife

UVic marine biologist Lauren McWhinnie is lead author in a new study which warns that vessel disturbance could very likely impact the social behaviours, distribution and long-term survival of marine mammals in the Arctic. They rely on a quiet environment to communicate and forage; but Arctic sea ice is shrinking and therefore shipping traffic is increasing.

In a study that spans Canada's Pacific Coast, UVic researchers have confirmed that human disturbance of seagrass meadows results in lower fish diversity. While human activity is known to impact a variety of ecosystems, the effect of human activity on coastal biodiversity is largely unknown. Coastal seagrass meadows are important nursery grounds for commercial and ecologically significant fish species.