NEW: To see this information (and more) with photographs, click here to view our new 2012 User Handbook.

 

Facilities and Resources

Research Facilities

Dock

The dock, built of cedar, is 60’ x 60’ with dry storage space, a wet lab and a solar shower.  We offer moorage space for research vessels and visitors and landing space for “beaver” type floatplanes.  On nice days, it is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and observe the wildlife.

 

Wet Lab

The wet lab on the dock is a room of approximately 14’ x 16’ in size, with lighting, a power outlet, aquaria, and shelving units.  We can set up flow-through fresh or salt water.  Researchers must bring the equipment needed for their specific project.

 

Dry Lab

A large room in the Main House is used for dry laboratory work, with plenty of room for laptops and microscopes.  A black and white printer/photocopier/scanner is available to users, and this room also contains our satellite phone and station VHF marine radio. 

Lab Safety Note:  Lab users must read and sign our Lab User Agreement, and anyone working with chemicals must have current WHMIS certification.  We have limited amounts of safety equipment, so users should bring safety gear appropriate for substances they will be using during the course of their research.

 

Power System

The station is off the grid, and we have a large 24 V battery bank which is charged by our large solar panel array, our microhydro system and our gasoline-fuelled generator when necessary.  The station is wired with 120 AC current but we can also provide 240 if needed.  If your project has high power requirements, please contact us to make sure we can handle those needs and make special arrangements if necessary.  The station is suitably wired for delicate electronics such as computers.  Surge protection power cords are found at some outlets, but users are encouraged to bring their own for their own rooms.

Research Supplies

We encourage users to bring their own research supplies.  However, we do have some basic supplies available for use including a stereoscope, a plankton splitter, salinity refractometer, thermometers, marine VHF radios and some other supplies.  Contact us to sort out what is available at the station for free usage or for a rental fee and to determine what supplies you will need to bring for your specific research project.

 

Living Facilities

 

The Main House

The largest building at the station, this house has a dining area which seats 14, the little purple room with two couches and a great view, a full bathroom, and a beautiful big kitchen where most of the cooking at the station is done.  It features two sinks, a six-burner propane stove and oven, lots of cookware, a cold room for food storage, and a power-efficient fridge and freezer.  We sometimes have mice so food must be stored carefully (we have some mouse-proof storage areas).  Sleeping quarters in the main house consist of two private rooms (one with a single bed, one with a double) and one dorm-style room with two sets of single mattress bunk beds and one double bed.  There is also a small loft sleeping area over the lab with a single bed.  The house is heated with a wood stove, and has a very nice deck for enjoying the view.

 

Grandma’s House

This old float-house, now pulled up on land, is used when the Main House is full or to allow a distinct research crew to have their own space.  It has a living and dining area, a small kitchen with a sink, stove and a fridge which can be turned on if needed (again, food must be stored with mice in mind), and a bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet.  Sleeping quarters consist of two private rooms (one with a single bed, one with a double) and one dorm style room with two sets of single mattress bunk beds.  This house is also heated with a wood stove, and it also has a beautiful deck overlooking the bay.

 

The Guest Cabin

This simple structure has two single beds, one below and one above in a small loft area.  It has electricity but no heat source, so it’s most comfortable in the warmer months.

 

Tenting Platforms

Two tenting platforms are available for users who bring their own tents.

 

Station Coordinator’s Cabin

The Station Coordinators stay in a small cabin at the top of the property.

 

Other Station Features

 

Gardens and Greenhouses

Old fruit trees, domestic and wild berry bushes, and terraced gardens are found throughout the station property.  The climate and terrain here make gardening a struggle, but we are working to enrich the soils, improve the composting system and increase food production at the station.  Volunteers are welcome to help us in this process.  We have one small tomato and basil greenhouse, and one medium sized greenhouse which, among other things, will be used to produce early lettuce and other early foods for the spring research season.  Kale grows well here and is almost always available.

 

Outbuildings

We have a large workshop, a tool shed, a generator and power shed, and various woodsheds.

 

Trails

Behind the station are several beautiful hiking trails.  One follows our waterline up the valley near the station, and one climbs over the hill behind the station and then drops down into another valley and branches several ways, one direction leading to Billy’s Museum and the Echo Bay Marina and the other towards the old school on the other side of Echo Bay.  Many other great hikes are available by boat.