Salmon Coast Field Station is entirely off-grid. We try to live out our commitment to sustainability by living lightly on the land. We are intimately aware of all our impacts, which provides a perfect environment for learning about conservation issues.
Power
The station is off the grid, and has a large 24 V battery bank, which is charged by a large solar panel array (particularly in the summer months), a microhydro system (during times of high water flow, such as spring and fall), and a gasoline-fuelled generator (when necessary). Salmon Coast can provide 120 or 240 AC current. If a research project has high power requirements, the researcher is asked to contact us ahead of time to ensure that we can handle such needs, and so that we can make special arrangements if necessary.
Water
Our water is gravity-fed from a creek. Tanks provide storage for drinking water, showers, gardening, and fire suppression. All water from the creek is drinkable and delicious! In seasons of low water or freezing temperatures, conservation measures take effect.
Heating
Woodstoves are the only source of heat at Salmon Coast. Woodsheds on the property are supplied with axes and hatchets, and it is the collective responsibility of station users to continually stock these woodsheds. All cooking ranges and hot-water heaters are fueled by propane.
Internet
There is unlimited wireless satellite internet in most of the dry-land living and working spaces. We utilize a Starlink system, and speeds can be variable at certain times. We request that users are mindful of large-bandwidth activities, especially at peak times.
Phone
Salmon Coast has cell phone reception over a very limited area in the Main House Dry Lab.
Laundry
The station has one generator-powered washing machine. Clothes are dried outside, or on indoor drying racks. Station users may also take their laundry, especially large loads to the laundromat in Port McNeill during town trips.