Meet our changemakers
Salmon Coast is a research hub focused on science, creativity, and connecting communities. The station has inspired a number of very special people to dedicate their lives to shape meaningful change—where are they now?
This multifaceted project aims to explore the paths of Salmon Coast alumni, and demonstrate how their time with us impacted their journeys. Through the community of our field station, we have created a network of change-makers throughout British Columbia beyond. Read and listen below for their stories.
I am a fish and wildlife ecologist focused on salmon socio-ecological systems in coastal British Columbia. I provide support for research, facilitation, and project management of stewardship initiatives. I focus on projects that are community-driven and support Indigenous governance.
“Everything that I’m working on right now is in some way associated with Salmon Coast.”
I was born in Vancouver and raised on the North Shore. Most of my childhood summers and winters were spent in the interior of BC. I graduated from Dalhousie university in 2012 with a degree in Biology.
Much of my work has been as a fisheries observer or tech, working in both the Atlantic and the West coast of Canada. In 2014 I volunteered at Salmon coast as field support on spring juvenile salmon projects and as a station volunteer, then returned to salmon coast as a field tech, station employee and researcher as a member of the Krkosek lab.
My research interests include ecological genetics and the human influence on salmonid populations. I am a naturalist and photographer and try to spend most of my free time in the outdoors.
“I feel like everything I have done after Salmon Coast is somehow related to that formative first step I took there. I would not be the same person I am today without those amazing months, and I am so thankful for being able to go and spend time there.
Fishery managers need to accurately assess population numbers in season to be able to confidently manage fishery openings and closures, so unreported catches degrade data collected by regulatory bodies such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Pacific Salmon Commission.
One of my main goals throughout the Fraser salmon migration is to stop and prevent unreported, illegal, and unregulated fishing of salmon on the Fraser River by going out on vessel patrols, doing inspections of vessels and following up with investigations for people who are not in compliance with regulation. Every spawner counts, so when I am able to release healthy salmon from illegal fisheries on the Fraser River it brings me a lot of satisfaction.
Prior position: Archipelago Marine Sciences in Victoria, and then worked with the DFO Salmonid Enhancement Program at the Capilano and Inch Creek Hatcheries in the lower mainland
“Salmon Coast continuously reminds me that coastal communities can make positive change around the world.”
I am the project lead for our new food sovereignty initiative, ‘Restoring Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Gardens’ where we are building clam gardens and revitalizing traditional coastal foods
Prior position: Station Coordinator for the Cedar Coast Field Station
“I often say that my life restarted in 2015. I contribute almost 100% of where I am today to my experiences at Salmon Coast. I don’t think I could begin to even cover all of the experiences that I gained through my time there that continue to influence where and who I am today.”
My name is Dylan Smyth, and I currently live in North Vancouver, British Columbia where I work for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. I am a part of the Marine Mammal Conservation Physiology program which primarily focuses on the health of both the threatened northern resident and endangered southern resident killer whale populations.
Recently, we have also become quite involved with BC’s local humpback populations as well. My work spans the entirety of BC’s coastline and I am lucky enough to often lend a hand to other programs as a vessel operator and marine mammal technician. My skills 100% evolved from the experience and knowledge I gained through working and volunteering at Salmon Coast Field Station.
I wouldn’t be where I am without the plethora of people who supported, trained, and helped me grow into the individual I am today. My next big adventure is coming quickly as I am moving to Portugal in September to pursue my Master’s degree in Marine Biology.
Prior position: Marine Mammal Conservation Physiology program at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
“Living off grid at Salmon Coast really showed me that reducing your footprint isn’t all about sacrifice. Having resources be more rare or work intensive breeds a better appreciation for those things. It made food taste better, made work feel less arduous, and made us feel a sense of pride in our lifestyle. I have been chasing that lifestyle ever since and I am currently developing my own off-grid homestead and campsite in Ucluelet Inlet. I don’t know if I would have the confidence to tackle this life long project without my successful experiences living at SCFS.”
I have been living and working in Barkley Sound on the westcoast of Vancouver Island for the past 15 years. I work as a marine biologist, scientific/commercial scuba diver, and ecotourism operator.
I am currently focusing on marine cleanup efforts with my dive team, and have been working with the DFO’s Ghost Gear program to remove harmful derelict fishing gear that gets lost in the ocean. During the summer I caretake and host groups at my oceanfront acreage called The Kelp Forest Wilderness Retreat in Ucluelet Inlet, where I am also building an off grid sustainable homestead.
My first extended experiences with living off grid and scientific diving came during my time at Salmon Coast so I am very grateful for all the skills I was able to learn up there.