BMSC Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

BMSC closed to in-person learning due to COVID-19 pandemic, remaining open for research. Online learning launched for virtual field trips. LINK TO STORY 4 – Bamfield Education.

On Sept. 13, 2019, a bus accident with UVic students on a field trip tragically took the lives of Emma Machado and John Geerdes, with many others injured. In the wake of this tragedy, the Province of British Columbia and the Huu-ay-aht First Nation sign an agreement for a $30M road upgrade.

Memorandum of Understanding signed by WCUMSS President and Huu-ay-aht First Nation for construction of a future Wastewater Plant. The WCUMSS member universities (UVIC, UBC, SFU, UCalgray and UAlberta) contribute $1M towards the Wastewater Treatment Plant. LINK TO STORY 8 – Collaborative Futures.

BMSC awarded a Post-Secondary Strategic Infrastructure (SIF) grant, bringing $1.5M funding from member university presidents. The funding allowed for critical upgrades and improvements to the power grid, foreshore, main building, IT, fuel storage, seawater system, and cable tank to name a few.  

Visit from philanthropist David Rockefeller Jr, his wife Susan Rockefeller, and friends from the Rockefeller Foundation and Oceana. David, Susan and their guests stopped by for a BMSC tour to observe student activities and facilities during their sailing trip around Vancouver Island.

Under the creative guidance of Massif Creative, BMSC embarks on a new look and feel, with the goal to re-energize the relationship with our five western Canadian university partners. Lacking a communications strategy and consistent brand identity made it difficult for BMSC to showcase the facilities, location, research resources, and academic achievements. The elevated brand has allowed us to attract new opportunities, and renew the bond with our partners.

BMSC has its major grant cut – NSERC Major Resources Support Program – representing about 20% of BMSC’s total budget. This was a huge blow, explains current director Sean Rogers, “leaving us on a ledge.” There were national repercussions from the loss of this grant, which has never been reinstated. Nevertheless, alumni and staff coming together creatively in the face of challenges, BMSC has found the motivation and funds to carry on.

The Bolnick Lab at the BMSC is located at the lower level of the Main Building, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Bolnick’s Lab studies the evolution and ecology of variation within species; evolutionary immunology; host-parasite co-evolution; speciation. LINK TO STORY 5 – Building a Vision.

The Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries is a stunning landmark on the coast, built with the generous donation from Dr. Donald B. Rix. This impressive facility, with its scalloped roof, floor-to-ceiling windows and warm wood finish, combines flexible meeting space with a breathtaking ocean view. LINK TO STORY 5 – Building a Vision.

Left to right: Sharon Johnston, David Johnston, Cliff Haylock, Shirley Pakula.