CWF Launches Sailing Summer Institute in Tadoussac

June 11, 2010 – The Canadian Wildlife Federation Learning Institute is setting sail on an extraordinary aquatic adventure Aug. 8 -15 in Tadoussac, Quebec.

The 2010 Summer Institute, “Belugas, Humpback Whales and Biodiversity,” will be an amazing sailing voyage of learning along the St. Lawrence River. Top researchers, scientists and education experts will join the 12 registrants from across Canada during the course of their voyages and video cameras will be rolling as participants will be encouraged to capture footage of marine species.

“This unique professional development opportunity features guided explorations of the Saugenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, where salt water mixes with fresh, and humpbacks swim with fin whales,” said Wade Luzny, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “The Summer Institute combines science with new technologies and daysailing to encourage explorations of the biodiversity of this protected ecosystem. This is a very important and innovative initiative, as the participants will return to their home communities with new skills, knowledge and insight into critical conservation projects for wildlife and habitat.”

Here are a few highlights of the program, which will be conducted in both official languages.

• Sunday, Aug. 8 – Participants arrive in Quebec City then depart for the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, where sailboats will be docked.

• Monday, Aug. 9  - Participants visit the GREMM’s installations in Tadoussac, which were developed by the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals. Nautical instruction will be provided and the four monohull boats involved in the Summer Institute will set sail.

• Tuesday, Aug. 10 - Parks Canada’s officials will join the group for field training about oceanographic conditions that are responsible for biodiversity. New research to protect marine mammals will be described.

• Wednesday, August 11: The Summer Institute will be sailing from Tadoussac to Les Bergeronnes for guided field studies.  Highlights include visiting the Marine Environment Discovery Centre and communicating with a cameraman-naturalist diving in the St. Lawrence to discover the diversity of marine flora and fauna. Participants will also observe marine birds from the coast with an ornithologist from L’Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac (OOT).

• Thursday, August 12: While sailing to Anse-St.-Jean (Saguenay River) via the magnificent Ste. Marguerite Bay, participants may be able to observe beluga whales.

• Friday, August 13: Sailing to Baie Éternité for a visit to the provincial park education centre and possible hike (weather permitting).  If time allows kayaking on the Saguenay for whale observation may be offered.

•  Saturday, August 14: Sailing back to Tadoussac for more beluga observation opportunities in Ste. Marguerite bay. In the afternoon, it will be time for participants to present the results of their studies, including conservation-themed videos.

•  Sunday, August 15: departure for Quebec City, conclusion of course.

For more information, including a complete schedule of activities and background about the teaching team, visit CWFEducation.ca. 
 

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending policy changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information, visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

The Learning Institute, a new component of CWF’s well established education program, is conducting strategic and scholarly research, creating, piloting and studying educational innovation and technology-based learning, improving and advancing professional practice and promoting innovative learning about wildlife issues.

Contact:
Heather Robison
Media Relations Officer
(306) 550-4155
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org