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Pacific WildLife Foundation - About Us Values, Mission and Objectives - Directors
Our mission: “To inspire conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems through scientific inquiry and education”
The Pacific WildLife Foundation is a not-for-profit coastal and marine research and education society with charitable status registered in Canada, based in Port Moody, British Columbia.
Values and Objectives Activities of the Foundation are directed by the following six values: · marine and coastal ecosystems are worthy of protection; · the public wants to sustain marine and coastal ecosystems; · conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems requires reliable information upon which to base decisions; · the best source of information for making decisions is derived from objective scientific inquiry; · scientific information can be presented in such a way as to inspire appreciation and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems; · first hand experience is an effective way to educate. Our objectives are: · conducts original scientific research on the biology of coastal and marine ecosystems; · presents information that will inspire conservation and appreciation of coastal and marine ecosystems; · provides opportunities for others to experience coastal and marine ecosystems.
Approach “Objective Science for Conservation” We believe that the best advice is derived from objective scientific inquiry where conclusions are drawn from the data rather than opinion. We harness the best scientific minds to provide objective advice on conservation issues. Our renowned scientists, educators and media specialists lend their expertise to conserve Pacific ecosystems. To read our 5-year plan, click here. We influence conservation decisions by targeting expertise to decision makers. We serve on national and international conservation committees, advise governments and businesses, and collaborate with our partners. We inform the public and our partners of our findings through novel scientific messaging on video, publications, and television. You can see some of our videos on this web site. Our television programs have been seen around the world. We implement our research through our conservation actions that engage community participation in our projects. Some of our projects span more than 25 years.
Our Board is made up of established scientists many who hold faculty postings, and renowned education and media specialists. Associates provide capacity to existing programs of interest to the Foundation Board. You can read about us by clicking here.
Funding The Pacific WildLife Foundation receives funding from private donations, granting agencies, companies and foundations. Funds are administered through our financial office. Finances are audited by an independent, licensed accountant and are available upon request. Donors to the Pacific WildLife Foundation will receive a tax receipt for Canadian income tax purposes. Click here to make a donation.
History The origins of the Pacific WildLife Foundation are in the West Coast Whale Research Foundation (WCWRF) founded in 1980 to administer, support and conduct whale research and education programs. At that time, there were few similar research organizations in the world and none in British Columbia whose priority was the study of living whale populations. With generous public support, WCWRF met its mandate by contributing significantly to the first scientific descriptions of gray, humpback and killer whales in British Columbia and the North Pacific, and through education programs ranging from popular articles and books to the 1992 Gemini award winning documentary ‘Island of Whales’ narrated by Gregory Peck. Several prominent cetacean scientists operating in British Columbia today have their roots in the WCWRF. Prominent among them is Jim Darling whose pioneering research on whales was supported for many years by WCWRF. Rob Butler had been discussing with Tom Middleton the establishment of a non-profit devoted to marine research and in 2002 Rob approached Jim Darling for advice. At Jim’s suggestion, Rob, Jim, Tom, Ron Ydenberg, Dan Esler, Rod MacVicar, Rudi Kovanic, Gillian Darling and former WCWRF Board members Ian Semple and Kate Keough began the transition of a new organization. In 2003, the WCWRF changed its name to Pacific WildLife Foundation to reflect a new and wider role.
Achievements The Pacific WildLife Foundation (and its predecessor, the West Coast Whale Research Foundation) presented the first scientific descriptions of humpback, gray and killer whales in British Columbia. These projects drew public attention to whales over the years that grew into a thriving whale watching industry in British Columbia. Whale identification catalogues begun by West Coast Whale are still being updated by us and by other researchers. We were among the first to describe the summer foraging areas used by British Columbia gray whales and the extirpated basking shark. More recently, we have documented the distribution of oystercatchers in the Strait of Georgia that led to protection of small islands used by nesting birds and adoption of the oystercatcher by Parks Canada as an ecological indicator. Our research on eagles has shown how the presence of these birds can re-distribute its waterfowl prey. Our eelgrass project has involved hundreds of citizens in transplanting shoots that will form the basis of a renewed marine ecosystem. Our collaborative projects with partners include the breeding bird atlas in which we have mapped coastal birds. We are developing a marine bird and mammal atlas. You can read more by going to our projects page. (April 2009)
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