Applied Conservation Science Lab

University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia
What the facility does

Team of multidisciplinary conservation scholars conducting applied research focusing on wildlife and the ‘Great Bear Rainforest’ with a goal for insights to have a global reach

Areas of expertise

The Applied Conversation Science Lab tackles ecological and evolutionary problems and opportunities for the benefit of ecosystems and the people who rely on them. Typically, the lab partners with Indigenous governments and conducts fieldwork in remote coastal environments. Our technical expertise includes food-web modeling, statistical modeling (i.e. sustainable harvest plans), landscape genetics and general spatial-ecological approaches. We often apply these tools to real-world natural resource management contexts. Part of our commitment to applied work includes participating in management design and implementation, environmental impact assessments, and outreach.

Research services

Whereas we contract out most laboratory work (i.e. genetics, stable isotope data), we conduct intensive spatial-ecological analyses with associated data using advanced computer hardware, open sourced software, as well as cloud-based computing facilities.

Sectors of application
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Ocean industries

Equipment

Crew Boat and Trailer

Inflatable Boat and Trailer

Pickup Truck

Camper for Pickup Truck

Lab Computers (2)

  • Hakai Institute (Tula Foundation)
  • Raincoast Conservation Foundation
  • Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department (HIRMD)
  • Nuxalk Fisheries
  • Wuikinuxv Resource Stewardship Department
  • Kitasoo/Xai’xais Stewardship Department

Title

URL

New study finds wolf culls will not save endangered caribou in Western Canada

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-new-study-finds-wolf-culls-will-not-save-endangered-caribou-in-western//

Spirit Bears’ Hair Helps Reveal New Genetic Secrets

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/science/spirit-bears-canada.html